Los Angeles-based lifestyle hospitality company SBE has hired Philippe Zrihen as partner and member of its executive committee. Starting Oct. 1, Zrihen will have oversight over all of SBE’s corporate strategic and growth initiatives including leading the company’s investment, capital markets, and portfolio management activities. Zrihen joins SBE from Houlihan Lokey, where he served as managing director within the Real Estate Strategic Advisory group and was responsible for the firm’s global hospitality and leisure efforts.
Here’s a look at other notable comings and goings that took place this week:
New Castle Hotels & Resorts has promoted Don Urbahn to vice president of sales and revenue management. Urbahn joined the company in 1999 as a general manager and in 2007 was promoted to corporate director, a position he held until 2011 when he was promoted to vice president of revenue management. Prior to joining New Castle, Urbahn was a general manager with Vista Host Hotel Group.
John Edwards has joined Hospitality Ventures Management Group as vice president of design and construction. In his newly created role, Edwards will work closely with the business development team, as well as brand and investor partners, to oversee new development and renovation projects. He also will be responsible for capital expense planning for the company’s owned and managed portfolio. Edwards brings nearly 40 years of experience in hospitality and commercial real estate development, design and construction.
Rosewood Hotel Group has appointed Thuy Tranthi Rieder as group vice president of sales and marketing. Tranthi Rieder brings more than 20 years of marketing, sales, and general management experience leading global teams in consumer, luxury, and hospitality brands. In her role, she will oversee the branding, communications, sales, marketing, and e-commerce strategy for the group, which manages three brands with a combined portfolio of 55 properties in 18 countries.
Harrah’s Resort Southern California has announced changes to its leadership team. Regional President and General Manager Janet Beronio will retire this month after 30 years of service with Caesars Entertainment, and Darrell Pilant, currently vice president and assistant general manager, will succeed her as the new general manager. Pilant has been with Caesars Entertainment for 19 years.
Outrigger Resorts has appointed hospitality veteran Clyde Min to the new position of area general manager for Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, while taking direct responsibility for Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort as its general manager. Min will integrate and coordinate the sales, marketing, and revenue efforts at Outrigger’s beachfront resorts while ensuring operational excellence and consistent attainment of financial, revenue, and operational goals.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Breckenridge in Colorado has appointed Donald Woodin to the position of general manager. A veteran of the hospitality industry with nearly 30 years of hotel management experience, Woodin is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the property.
Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado in Santa Fe, N.M., has appointed Kai Autenrieth as executive chef. Autenrieth will oversee the resort’s Terra restaurant, along with the in-room dining menu for the 65-casita resort and the resort’s Chef’s Table. With 19 years of culinary experience, Autenrieth previously served as executive sous chef at Four Seasons Resort Nevis in the West Indies.
Coast Hotels announces the recent appointment of John Bruce as general manager of Coast International Inn in Anchorage, Alaska. In his new role, he will oversee the daily operations of the property. Bruce previously served as assistant general manager of Coast Bellevue in Bellevue, Wash.
The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., has announced four appointments to its sales and marketing team. As head of resort sales and marketing, Alex Gregory leads a team developing innovative strategies to increase revenues from all market segments with a strong focus on meeting and events clientele. With strong connections to the incentive and financial/insurance meeting industries, Chris Long heads up the resort’s group sales effort as director of sales. As senior sales manager, Maritza Gabriel is responsible for maintaining and growing relationships with associations, corporations, and nonprofits. In her new role as wedding and catering sales manager, Rachel Withrow will take over the social sales market following Gabriel’s move to group sales.
