Human Resources

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, has been spotlighting F&B trends. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn," he wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), and earlier, covered business in Thailand for Manager magazine and Asia Times (1992-1997). A Tufts University magna cum laude graduate and Phi Beta Kappa member, Thorn also attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and studied Chinese in China. He won the 2006 Neal Award and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014.

🍴 Nicolas Piatti appointed as Executive Chef at Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, opening spring 2025. The resort will feature six food and beverage venues, with a signature restaurant offering a monochromatic gastronomy concept. Piatti brings over 20 years of international experience and a commitment to sustainability, sourcing 25% of ingredients locally. Experiences include beef-cutting classes and chocolate sculpting. Collaborations with local farms like Finca La Josefina and Vainilla Mystic Farms highlighted. Piatti is also recognized as a “Food Waste Champion for Americas” and author of a cookbook on locally sourced cuisine.

📌 Hospitality America names Kellie Hanselman VP of Sales, boasting 19 years of experience. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island appoints Maggie Miller as Sales and Marketing Coordinator, focusing on digital marketing for resort events and packages. Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin welcomes Travis Breen with 24 years in hospitality as Director of Sales, Marketing & Events. The Seagate in Florida hires Pablo Valencia and Adam Moreira for the 2025-opening Bourbon Steak Delray Beach. Sonesta Resorts St Maarten employs Eddy Loomans as Resort Manager. Hotel Hartness promotes Gianna Smutzki to Executive Chef. AC Hotel Pasadena, opening in February 2025, appoints Ben Spaulding as General Manager and Kristin Shelton as Director of Sales and Marketing.

🏡 The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle has been acquired by Trinity Investments. The hotel, opened in 1924, offers 450 rooms, and is near Amazon, Disney, Starbucks, and attractions like the Seattle Convention Center. It recently underwent a $22 million renovation. Trinity, with over $730 million invested in hospitality this year, plans to renovate the guest rooms last updated in 2016. This purchase is Trinity's 11th U.S. hotel transaction since 2021.

📓 BWH Hotels elected Steve Wahrlich as board chairperson for 2025, with 40+ years in hospitality. Pendry West Hollywood hired Mgeni Mpolo, with 20+ years of experience, as director of sales and marketing. Vakkaru Maldives welcomed Janice Tan as VP of commercial for Europe and Scandinavia, after her 2020-2023 stint as director. Stonebridge Companies appointed Marco Selva as SVP in Miami for luxury expansion. Ritz-Carlton Maldives added Sandrine Boutin as director of sales and marketing, with 24 years of experience. Pandox (AB) announced Mikael Hultqvist as SVP property management starting June 2025. Steigenberger Hotels made multiple appointments: Friedrich von Schönfeldt (Frankfurter Hof), Florian Woithe (Hamburg), Charlotte Holtmann (Leipzig). Capella Hotel Group's global expansion included Anthony Gill (Patina Maldives), Dennis Laubenstein (Capella Taipei), Antonio Saponara (Capella Bangkok), and Hildegard Anzenberger (Capella Hanoi). Hotel Drover named Aaron Ide as GM and promoted Kristin Assad to COO at Exchange Hotels Management.

🌇 In Fairfax, Virginia, The St. Anthony, a historic luxury hotel in San Antonio, appointed Crescent Hotels & Resorts as its new management company, with Sid Greehey announced as Managing General Partner of the ownership group. Opened in 1909, the hotel boasts a rooftop infinity pool and proximity to city attractions like the Alamo. The property features upscale dining, including the Gallery On the Park and an award-winning restaurant, and the once exclusive The St. Anthony Club.

📍 Hostaway's 2024 STR Market Report shows property managers' top challenge is growth and scaling, overtaking technology concerns. Climate-related issues emerged significantly, being mentioned 24 times more than the previous year, accounting for 8% of surveyed managers' concerns. Economic volatility dropped out of the top eight concerns. Over half of the managers now employ AI in daily operations, with dynamic pricing increasing by nearly 45%. The report surveyed over 300 managers from 51 countries, indicating a shift towards operational resilience and adaptability.

🏨 In Phoenix, Arizona, Steve Wahrlich was elected Board Chairperson of BWH Hotels for 2025, following over 40 years with the company. Larry Cuculic, President and CEO, highlights Wahrlich's extensive industry experience and strategic leadership. Wahrlich owns Best Western Plus® Clocktower Inn in Billings, Montana since 1966 and Best Western Plus Hilltop in Redding, California since 1977, both properties consistently recognized for excellence. Additionally, he contributes to local community healthcare and hospitality associations and resides in Billings with his family.