John Kelly has been elected by Best Western Hotels & Resorts to its board of directors. Kelly has decades of experience in the hospitality industry, with a background of designing, building, operating and owning hotels, as well as initiating sales strategies to favorably position hotels for potential contracts.
Here’s a look at other notable comings and goings that took place this week:
Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach has announced the expansion of its team with three new members, naming Thomas Russo III executive chef, Russel Jenkins senior sales manager, and Jamaloan Abraham its new executive meeting manager. Chef Russo will oversee all aspects of the culinary experience to include Bistro, the hotel’s full-service beach-chic restaurant, and the entire catering experience. Jenkins will be responsible for developing and implementing effective sales strategies to attract group clients including the corporate, incentive and association markets, and Abraham will handle all aspects of the sales process and the execution of all events during the conference.
Jenna Na has been appointed director of finance operation for Benchmark Hospitality. Na previously served as director of finance for Park Central Hotel San Francisco, overseeing $100 million in annual hotel revenue operations. She has also held the director of finance position for Starwood Hotels & Resorts properties and the Ritz Carlton Chicago.
Menin Hospitality has entered into an agreement to manage Shelborne South Beach. The hotel was originally constructed in 1940, and recently underwent a $150 million renovation. Shelborne South Beach joins the company’s hotel portfolio that most recently added Mondrian South Beach.
Stacy Erickson has been appointed director of sales at The Charmant Hotel in La Crosse, Wis. In her new role, Erickson will play a key role in overseeing guest relations, in addition to managing finances for the Aparium Hotel Group property.
Marty Rothchild has recently returned to John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts’ hospitality as general manager of the company’s 283-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville SE – Murfreesboro in Tennessee.
Bethesda Marriott has announced the appointment of David Child as general manager. Child brings 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with a degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Huddersfield in England.
Emily Thomas has been appointed director of sales at Homewood Suites by Hilton Chattanooga-Hamilton Place. Thomas will head the sales department, most recently serving as the sales coordinator at DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront.
