Human Resources

🍴 Gianna Smutzki promoted to Executive Chef at Hotel Hartness in Greenville, South Carolina. With 12+ years in fine dining, Smutzki will manage culinary programming across the hotel's 16,000 square feet event space and oversee Patterson Kitchen + Bar plus additional dining venues. Smutzki's expertise includes French cuisine, seafood, and plant-based dishes, with a focus on sustainability and local produce from Hartness farm. Hotel Hartness is a luxury accommodation next to a 180-acre nature preserve.

🏨 Aaron Ide appointed as Hotel Drover's new general manager in Fort Worth, Texas. Kristin Assad promoted to COO at Exchange Hotels Management, overseeing operations in the Stockyards. Hotel Drover, a 200-room urban resort, acclaimed by Travel + Leisure, boasts Michelin Key recognition. Ide, a 25-year veteran, previously managed Thompson Dallas and contributed to Forbes 5 Star status at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. Assad, with over two decades of luxury hospitality experience, will enhance service across Stockyards Heritage Development Co.'s properties.

📌 Stonebridge Companies appoints Marco Selva as senior VP, focusing on expanding luxury portfolio in Southeastern US, Caribbean, Latin America. W Scottsdale welcomes back David J. Cronin as GM with 30+ years of hospitality experience. Hotel Effie Sandestin names Jennifer Lombard Knight as GM to oversee hotel operations. Walker & Dunlop adds Carter Gradwell as senior director, who brings $1.2 billion in sales and 12+ years of capital markets experience. Davidson Hospitality Group appoints Brad Barnett as SVP and promotes Michael Yousif to SVP. Limelight Hotels appoints Joseph Steiskal as GM of upcoming Limelight Boulder.

🏁 Victoria Self joins On the Beach Group board as an independent non-executive director on February 3, replacing David Kelly who departs January 10 after a nine-year tenure. Self brings over 25 years of experience from senior roles at leading digital and consumer companies, including Entain, comparethemarket.com, and major retailers. The change comes as the company aims to expand its market presence and offerings.

📢 Brad Barnett appointed SVP, Sales at Pivot, Davidson Hospitality Group in Atlanta, Georgia, with 25+ years of experience. Previously SVP at HRI Lodging with a $230M, 25-hotel portfolio, generated $1B in revenue. Michael Yousif promoted to SVP, Acquisitions & Business Development; involved in $3.5B transaction volume and 40+ management contracts since 2010. Both hold B.A. degrees, Barnett from Northern Arizona University, Yousif from Michigan State University.

🏨 D-EDGE Hospitality Solutions appoints Damini Lykidi Diehl as Chief Commercial Officer for EMEA. With 20+ years in sales and business development, including at Google, Damini joins the Executive Committee to drive growth and expand hotel tech solutions in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

🏨 Beaumier, European hotel group, names Billy Skelli-Cohen as CEO starting January 1, 2025. Skelli-Cohen, former CEO of Zien Group and founder of Lore Group, to focus on growth and sustainability. Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group appoints Lisa Carlson as COO, bringing 30+ years’ experience. Proper Hospitality announces three appointments for The Shelborne in Miami Beach: Guy Chetwynd as managing director, Mariannie Santiago as GM, and Oliver Morgan as director of sales and marketing. Viceroy Hotels & Resorts hires Nicholas Marino as director of F&B at Viceroy Chicago. Walker & Dunlop adds Carter Gradwell as senior director. Davidson Hospitality Group promotes Brad Barnett to SVP of sales and Michael Yousif to SVP of acquisitions & business development. TFE Hotels announces Gabriel Polias, Brett Skinner, and Aalap Rammurthy for leadership roles at three properties. David J. Cronin returns as GM at W Scottsdale. Karolina Lasinska becomes GM at Hotel Sanders. Hotel Effie Sandestin names Jennifer Lombard Knight as GM.

🏠 The Ascott Limited, with over 950 properties, manages Millennium and Copthorne hotels at Chelsea FC's Stamford Bridge since 26 November. Stamford Bridge Hotel, next to the stadium, will become lyf Chelsea London after 2025 renovations. Ascott's lyf brand emphasizes social living for modern travelers. The partnership also made Ascott the 'official global hotels partner' for Chelsea FC, offering Ascott Star Rewards members unique experiences and enhancing Ascott's presence in London. Ascott operates in over 230 cities across more than 40 countries.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN) and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, covers food and beverage trends and oversees F&B coverage. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast. Columnist for The New York Sun (2005-2008). In Thailand (1992-1997), he wrote business and food articles for Manager magazine and Asia Times. Thorn holds a BA in history from Tufts University (1990), studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris (1986), and Chinese language and culture at Peking University (spring 1989) and Nanjing University (fall 1988). He reported for ABC News during the Tiananmen Square protests (1989). His work won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and he was inducted into the Disciples d'Escoffier (2014). Contact: [email protected]

📌 RMS Cloud appointed Sandrine Zechbauer as CMO. Pacifica Hotels announced hires: Brian Min as GM of The Wayfarer San Luis Obispo, Bridgette Quartararo as director of sales at Seacliff Inn, Leslie Mercado as regional director of sales, Ron Herrera as Jamaica Bay Inn's executive chef. Atlantic Hospitality added Justin Grimes as managing partner, Caroline Meyer DeBruyckere as corporate director of marketing, Andrea Weissing as corporate director of revenue management. Elena Black joined Rocco Forte Hotels as SVP of marketing. Hilton Anaheim named Justin Underwood as director of hotel operations. Omni Hotels appointed Gayla Guyse as GM of Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel. The Chatwal, New York assigned Sebastian Gurevich as hotel manager. Trilith Guesthouse named Craig Green as executive chef. Crossroads Hotel appointed Kara Anderson as GM of Lazia. Grace Bay Resorts welcomed Emma Wilks as VP of marketing, digital, and communications. Epicurean Hotel added Whitnee Wilson as spa director. Pendry San Diego announced William Figueroa as director of F&B and Brandon Sloan as executive chef. Frenchman’s Reef's new committee includes Martin Smith as MD, Andrew Haas as VP, and Maria Vilchez as GM of Buoy Haus Beach Resort.