Human Resources

🏨 Ace Hotels has appointed Chris Penn as CEO, Mostafa Abdella as COO, and Meriem Soliman as CBO to support growth and international market expansion. Penn has 25 years in hospitality and previously launched Ace Hotel London in 2013. Abdella, with a similar 25-year experience, will manage operations and global markets. Soliman, since 2012 with Ace Hotels, will enhance brand identity and market share. Ace Hotels runs nine properties globally and plans a Japan expansion by 2027.

📢 Lee Palaschak appointed as Executive Vice President of Operations at Stonebridge Companies, reporting to CEO Rob Smith; 35 years of experience and previously SVP at Remington Hospitality. Hotel Equities announces hires/promotions: Clint DeLee as VP of Operations, Karen Mendez as VP overseeing Postcard Cabins portfolio, Lindsay Meadows as SVP of Accounting and Procurement, Brad Read as SVP of Finance, Michaelanne Colarelli as Procurement Manager, Angela Phillips as Regional Director of Sales. Anoop Joseph joins Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa, Oman as Director of Sales and Marketing. Kelsey Jones named Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Kimpton Hotel Monaco DC and Kimpton George. Stewart Arevalo appointed Director of Operations at Hotel Irvine. Sandra Keneven promoted to Senior Sales Executive at The Westin Cape Coral Resort. Len Dumas becomes Director of Club Operations at Silverado Resort. Kay Washington named GM of AC Hotel Chicago Downtown. Eric Segreti appointed GM of The Cove at Atlantis Paradise Island. Brian McHugh takes GM role at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. Stephane Vogel becomes Area GM for Kimpton Hotel Monaco DC and Kimpton George.

🏢 FCM Travel appointed Martina Groenegres as the new managing director for Germany. Groenegres has nearly 30 years of experience in the travel industry, including positions at Lufthansa, Chairwoman of APJC Germany for IATA, and board memberships for SwissCham China and the German Chamber of Commerce in China. FCM operates in 95 countries and is known for personalized, technology-driven travel solutions. The appointment reflects FCM's strategic focus on Germany, with Groenegres expected to leverage her global experience to enhance services and drive growth.

📌 Julie Chakraverty joins easyJet's board as a non-executive director on January 27. She brings 30 years of experience and holds positions at NCC Group, AJ Bell, and Starling Bank. Moni Mannings, the current non-executive director, will not seek re-election at the February 13 annual meeting. Sue Clark will take over as chair of the remuneration committee.

🏨 Thomas B. Meier, with leadership experience since 2021 at Jumeirah, steps up as CEO to double the luxury hospitality group's portfolio by 2030. Meier led Jumeirah's expansion into Africa, opening Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania and Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa. With 30 properties in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, Jumeirah aims for global growth, including upcoming Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in the U.A.E. and Jumeirah Le Richemond Geneva in Switzerland.

🎓 Keisha Smith appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief People and Culture Officer at Four Seasons on January 6, 2025. Based in Miami, she reports to President and CEO Alejandro Reynal. Smith's 20+ years of leadership experience includes roles at Tory Burch, News Corp, and Morgan Stanley, and as an Independent Director at Unity Software. Her role focuses on HR, Internal Communications, and ESG, pivotal to Four Seasons' culture and team empowerment. The company has over 50,000 global employees and prioritizes sustainable growth and social responsibility.

📌 Andrew Casperson promoted from COO to president of Coury Hospitality in spring 2023, overseeing operational strategies for its hotels, bars, and restaurants, including the new Concert Hospitality arm. Extreme Hospitality named Ryan M. Alpert, with 25 years of experience, as CCO. KSL Resorts rebranded as Peregrine Hospitality, led by CEO Greg Kennealey and an experienced team. Westgate Resorts announced leadership changes, promoting long-standing executives like Mitch Less (COO) and John Willman (CFO). Hospitality industry veterans like RJ Cooper and Alexandre Ariel appointed to lead culinary and hotel management at luxury destinations Kohler, Wisconsin, and Fairmont Monte Carlo, respectively.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016, is known for his coverage of food and beverage trends. He hosted the podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" and wrote for The New York Sun from 2005 to 2008. A Tufts University magna cum laude graduate, he also studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Thorn won the 2006 Neal Award, served as IFEC president in 2005, and has written for notable food encyclopedias. He resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.

📌 Cycas Hospitality appoints Philip Steiner as COO for UK, Ireland, Netherlands, and Portugal. Steiner previously improved Bankside Hotel to top 10 on TripAdvisor, earning “Best of the Best” 2024 title with an 87% guest recommendation score. Since 2018 at Cycas, he's progressed through roles and led a complex with 244 rooms. His extensive career includes working at Rome Cavalieri and with Hilton and Starwood, and he serves on the Institute of Hospitality board and as an Ambassador for Hospitality Action. CEO Matt Luscombe commends Steiner’s results and leadership as he takes on the new executive role to support Cycas's European expansion.

🏖️ Tripadvisor will buy Liberty TripAdvisor for $435 million, aiming to simplify its ownership structure by settling debts and eliminating the holding company's stake. This deal could allow Tripadvisor, established in 2000 and once valued at $15 billion in 2015, to either expand or downsize as its market value has decreased to under $2 billion by December 18. Hindered by debt, competition, search engine changes, and the pandemic's impact, Tripadvisor sees this agreement as a strategic move towards flexibility and a wider range of potential transactions.