Human Resources

📌 Candice D'Cruz, Vice President of Luxury Brands at Hilton, was interviewed on the Hospitality Daily Podcast. The interview was published on Feb. 15, 2025, discussing career moves within the hospitality industry.

📖 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor, has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016. Hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast. Wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), Manager magazine, and Asia Times in Thailand (1992-1997). Magna cum laude from Tufts University (1990), studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, and Chinese language/history at Nanjing and Beijing Universities (1988-1989). Won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, inducted into Disciples d’Escoffier (2014). Lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

📈 Marriott International appointed Shannon Patterson as SVP, Global Sales, succeeding Tammy Routh; Andy Kauffman as Chief Commercial Officer, U.S. and Canada, replacing Julius Robinson; Gail Frazer as SVP, Sales and Distribution, U.S. and Canada, succeeding Brian Gilligan. Prince A. Sanders became The Wall Street Hotel's General Manager, and Harrison Lipner as Director of Sales and Marketing. Declan Lott rejoined Edwardian Hotels London as VP of Sales, North America. Richie Kavanagh was promoted to VP and GM of The Reef Residences at Atlantis Paradise Island. Caribe Royale Orlando Resort named Bryan Gay as Director of Sales and Marketing. Zsuzsa Nagy was appointed Hotel Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills' new GM is Tod Chambers; Terra Palm Springs' new GM is Kurt Englund. The Wilde Resort & Spa appointed Tobby Rau as GM. Cheval Collection welcomed Ian James as a GM for two London properties. Nathan Hanner joined Timbri Hotel San Francisco as GM.

🍕 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor, has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and joined Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. He wrote for The New York Sun from 2005 to 2008, and was in Thailand as a journalist from around 1994 to 1997. Thorn's podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" features notable foodservice industry interviews. His education includes a history BA from Tufts University (1990), studying Chinese at Peking University (Spring 1989) and Nanjing University (Fall 1988), as well as French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu (1986). He reported for ABC News during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. Thorn received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Business Journalism Award and was president of the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) in 2005. Inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014, Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY. Contact him at [email protected] and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

🏩 Philipp Morawietz appointed as Director of Corporate Development at NUMA Group, focusing on market entries, business model extensions, and strategic projects. NUMA operates in 15 European countries, with Morawietz bringing 17 years of experience from hospitality and technology sectors. Previously, he managed departments at Homelike and led corporate development at HRS Group. His expertise aims to accelerate NUMA's international growth and set new industry standards.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, is renowned for identifying F&B trends. He hosted "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast and wrote "Kitchen Dish" for The New York Sun from 2005-2008. Thorn reported on business and F&B in Thailand between 1992-1997, including for Manager magazine and Asia Times. He earned a BA in History from Tufts University in 1990, studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and was in China during the 1989 Tiananmen Square events. Thorn won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014.

🏥 Adam Seskis appointed as CEO of RMS, a hospitality property management platform, bringing over 25 years of SaaS and technology experience from roles at Epiq and Wolters Kluwer, along with private equity advisory. RMS, founded in Melbourne, serves 7,000 properties in 70 countries and aims to expand its global markets, enhance products, and improve customer experience utilizing 40 years of guest data. Recently backed by Advent Partners, RMS is set to further develop its integrated hospitality technology ecosystem. Seskis holds a law degree and has 15 years of global leadership experience.

London 6 February 2025 – Leading hospitality property management platform RMS, has announced the appointment of Adam Seskis as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as the company looks ahead to its next chapter of global…

🏨 Mike Deitemeyer joins Rockbridge as EVP, bringing extensive hospitality experience including over $1 billion in investment at Omni. Leonardo Hotels Central Europe restructures, with Lisa Mager as head of convention sales, Maja Ziemann as director of sales, Dan Ogen as chief digital and marketing officer, and Marion Schön as director of communication & marketing. Julian Alden joins The Lowell Hotel as director of sales and marketing. Brian Ehrlich appointed as SVP of business development at Remington Hospitality. Andreas Pade and Maximilian Deickert take leadership roles at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl. Laura McIver becomes managing director at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain. The Leading Hotels of the World adds Pia Djupmark and Crescenzo Gargano to its executive committee. Grand Hyatt Vail appoints Fernando Santana as managing director and Michael Scott as F&B hotel manager. Miiro names Stefan Ludwig as GM of The Mansard. Trump International Beach Resort Miami welcomes Jennifer Hiblum as general manager.