London + Regional is enhancing its hotel investment focus in North America with the addition of Neil Teplica to its senior executive team. Teplica is the new chief investment officer, North America, of L+R’s international hotel investment platform, L+R Hotel Holdings Ltd. Teplica previously led the hotel platform of the Lone Star Fund’s internal advisor, Hudson Advisors, in the Americas.
Below are more of this week’s hospitality new hires and promotions.
Chesapeake Hospitality has promoted three senior-level executives: Lisa Carlson moved to senior vice president of operations from vice president of operations; Stephanie Morgan-Harris moved to regional vice president of sales from regional director of sales and marketing; and Emily Hahn moved to regional director of revenue management from area director of revenue management. Additionally, Chesapeake has name John Pasley vice president of operations.
Dimitri Mitropoulos is the new vice president of food and beverage for Dream Hotel Group. He will oversee food and beverage responsibilities for the company globally and also monitor operating procedures and structures for the company’s food and beverage outlets across its portfolio.
Chris Marquis has been promoted to executive vice president of investments and acquisitions for Pacifica Hotels, where he will develop and execute Pacifica’s growth in acquisitions and financing processes. Before this new role, Marquis served as vice president of the company for four years.
Choice Hotels International has promoted Sonia Egyhazy to regional vice president of franchise development for Cambria Hotels, where she will continue to expand the brand through the mid-Atlantic region. Since 2015, Egyhazy served as director of sales for the Cambria brand in the mid-Atlantic region.
Dean Wendel is now vice president of food and beverage for Concord Hospitality, where he will create culinary strategies and ensure brand compliance. Wendel’s responsibilities also include leading, developing, and implementing bar and restaurant concepts throughout Concord’s portfolio.
Joe Dursun is the new vice president of engineering for PurpleCloud Technologies, a software solutions and data analytics company for hotel operations. Dursun will oversee IT strategies and investment for product development. He will also manage the company’s IT team and build relationships with clients.
Hospitality sales training and coaching program SalesBoost has named April Urbine executive vice president of sales, effective February 1. Urbine’s responsibilities include managing all sales related efforts for the company. Prior to SalesBoost, Urbine was senior vice president, private event sales for ClubCorp.
WTS International—a spa, fitness, and lifestyle consultancy agency—has promoted Janice Nichols to senior vice president of spa operations. Previously, she served as corporate operations director, where she oversaw spa operations and accounts. In her new position, she will maintain operations in over 50 spas.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile has appointed Kathy Heneghan as general manager. Heneghan will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the 455-suite hotel. Previously, Heneghan held the position of hotel manager at Hilton Chicago.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town and Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town King St. Metro have added Tristan Harris as complex general manager. Harris will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of both hotels. He most recently served as general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont.
Hassan El Neklawy is the new general manager of the JW Marriott Chicago. During his 39-year Marriott career, he has held many leadership positions. El Neklawy started at Marriott in 1979 as a restaurant manager trainee, and, most recently, he led the renovation and repositioning of the Renaissance Chicago Downtown as general manager.
Carrie Duncan is now general manager of the AC Hotel Charlotte City Center, a McKibbon Hospitality hotel. Before joining the AC Hotel team, she was general manager of the Aloft Tallahassee Downtown, and she has worked for several known brands throughout her career, including Marriott and Hilton.
Hotel Monaco Portland welcomes Travis Williams to oversee guest experience, sales and marketing efforts, and operations as general manager. Williams has management, hotel sales, and operational experience, and during his career, he worked at the Sky Hotel in Aspen and Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City.
Mirbeau Hospitality Services has tapped Ed Kellogg as general manager of the future Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck, slated to open in late summer 2019. For more than 25 years, Kellogg has been actively involved in commercial real estate development, management, and construction in the region.
The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., has promoted Krista Heinicke to manager of public relations and communications. Heinicke joined The Broadmoor team in 2009 as a concierge before moving to the sales department. She also held positions in the food and beverage and public relations divisions, as well as serving as office manager.
California-based hospitality company Proper Hospitality has named Mario Bevilacqua von Gunderrode general manager of the San Francisco Proper Hotel, where he will oversee operational responsibilities. Additionally, Sade Lee is now director of sales and marketing at the hotel, where she will manage group and corporate sales.
Plant Riverside District, a JW Marriott Hotel part of the Kessler Collection, is opening in 2019 and welcoming several new hires prior to opening. Michael King will be vice president of operations, Nancy Kiska will be area vice president of human resources, and Rob Gibson will be director of music at The Kessler Collection.
