Human Resources

🏦 Windsor Aughtry Company selects Hospitality America to manage Hotel Avail, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Rogers, Arkansas, set to open Q2 2025. The 170-room hotel will feature a rooftop restaurant (Oak Steakhouse), café, lobby bar, meeting space, and fitness center. This deal is Windsor Aughtry's 16th development project with Hospitality America, increasing its managed hotels to 21, including 14 Hilton brands. The hotel, located in the Pinnacle uptown area, will cater to both thrill seekers and business travelers. Hospitality America aims to grow from 17 to 40 hotels in under 10 years, with CEO Ben Campbell targeting at least 25 properties in the next 24-36 months.

🏨 Rob Smith, with 30 years of experience, became President/CEO of Stonebridge Companies in July, succeeding founder Navin Dimond (1991). Stonebridge, a Denver-based hotel operator, recently doubled its portfolio to roughly 160 hotels through the acquisition of Real Hospitality in May. They manage properties across the U.S. for 61 owners and have an ownership entity with 15 assets. Smith's vision includes being a leading third-party operator, focusing on accountability, excellence, and diversified growth. Prior acquisitions included a 1,200-key, five-hotel portfolio and expansion into new markets such as Phoenix, North Carolina, and Georgia.

🏨 Daniel C. Peek has joined JLL as president of its Americas region, boasting nearly $60 billion in career transactions. Based in Tampa, he'll collaborate with CEO Mark Gibson and Kevin Davis to enhance client relations and financial strategies. Christophe Thomas is Aethos' new COO, aiming to refine the brand's strategic direction and operations. Andaz Prague makes two key appointments with Axel Ziegler as GM and Christopher Koleros as Director of Sales and Marketing. The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok gears up for its November opening with six executive hires, including Tina Liu as GM. Pendry Washington DC-The Wharf names Amanda Santiago as Director of Sales and Marketing. Nicole Di Maio-Kennedy joins EOS Hospitality as VP of Revenue Maximization, bringing over two decades of experience. Edmund Richardson advances at Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, aiming to enhance the resort's operations. Hilton appoints Antonio Bugarin as GM of Hilton Los Cabos, and Sabrina Graves takes the helm as GM at B Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale. Pedro Dias becomes GM of El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, and Mali Carow is announced as GM at Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale.

📖 Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor at Informa's Restaurant & Food Group since August 2021, has over seven years of specialized experience in restaurant and hospitality industry journalism. She holds a bachelor's degree from The College of New Jersey and a master's from CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Her past roles include Associate and Assistant Editor at Informa (July 2019-August 2021), Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter, and positions at Insider and The Daily Meal. Joanna is also known for her contributions to The New York Times, Forbes, and Vice.

🚀 Oojo, an online travel booking service, plans to launch in Germany by the end of the month, aiming for global expansion across the US, Canada, the UK, and more. Targeting a growth of at least 30% year-over-year in sales, Oojo maintains a Net Promoter Score (NPS) above 60 to ensure customer loyalty. By the end of 2026, the company seeks to be present in over 10 countries while limiting employee headcount growth to less than 10% annually. Technological scalability and market adaptability are identified as key challenges.

🎭 Ewan Venters, former CEO of Fortnum & Mason, left Artfarm amid concerns the Groucho Club is 'going corporate'. The Soho-based club, acquired by Artfarm in 2022, sparked member concerns over cultural 'destruction'. Artfarm, run by Swiss investors Iwan and Manuela Wirth since Venters joined in 2021, expanded with a Yorkshire sister site and several other hospitality ventures. Venters will exit by January next year, pending a replacement. Recent expansions include Da Costa in Bruton, following the Audley Public House and Fish Shop in Ballater.

🍝 Otto & Pepe, Miami’s first pasta bar by Gabriela Chiriboga and Samuel Ghouzi, opened on September 12 in Wynwood Art District. The 147-seat venue was designed by Saladino Design Studio, featuring house-made pastas and natural wines. Menu by Michelin-starred chef Viviana Varese, with wine expert Karina Iglesias and mixologist Matias Iriarte. The menu offers four categories: red sauce pasta, white sauce pasta, more pasta, and not pasta, plus desserts like tiramisu and brioche with gelato.

📆 BWH Hotels appointed Harry Dong as President and CEO for China (including Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), Mongolia, and Nepal, following a 16-year tenure with the company, previously serving in procurement, quality analysis, and project development. He succeeds his father, William Dong. Harry will oversee 10 hotels in the region and future property development, leveraging BWH’s 19 brands and global distribution, loyalty programs, and quality assurance.

📈 Mike Metcalf named President of HQ Hotels & Residences as the brand prepares for its first hotel openings in Montreux, Switzerland, and Detroit, Michigan. Metcalf, with 40+ years in hospitality, joins from Crescent Hotels & Resorts. BWH Hotels appoints Harry Dong as President and CEO for China (Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), Mongolia, and Nepal, succeeding his father, William Dong. Cody Bradshaw is L+R Hotels' new Group CEO, overseeing global strategy, growth and performance. SH Hotels & Resorts promotes Shadi Omeish to VP of Operations, North America, and Milton Sgarbi to Regional VP of Operations. Omni Hotels & Resorts names Annette Bales VP of Sales. Christian Pertl is Shangri-La Group's new VP of Commercial. Kevin Kelly joins The Resort at Pelican Hill as General Manager, while Parag Athavale takes the helm at Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. Simon Beaumont appointed General Manager of Avani+ Khao Lak Resort. Francisco García becomes General Manager of The Maybourne Riviera. Holger Flory to manage Europäischer Hof Baden-Baden, opening summer 2025. Great Oak Manor in Maryland welcomes Calin Taralunga as General Manager.

🥘 Chris Eden, the former executive head chef at Gidleigh Park, is set to oversee food operations at Watergate Bay Hotel's venues starting 1 October. Eden, who helped Gidleigh Park reclaim a Michelin star in 2023, will work with head chefs Ben Ambridge, Dani Bolton, Nick Giles, and Anthony Quinn. He won a Michelin star for Cornwall's Driftwood Hotel in 2012 and attended St Austell College. Eden's aim is to create dishes with a neighbourhood restaurant feel, ensuring guests leave happy.