Sam Woodworth is taking on the newly created position of director of acquisitions and business development for Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG). The position requires Woodworth to grow the portfolio through development deals and third-party management. Before HVMG, Woodworth served as manager of acquisitions and development for Trump Hotels.
Here’s a look at other notable comings and goings that took place this week.
Rick Cunningham has been named vice president of hotel development at Margaritaville Holdings LLC. Cunningham brings more than 30 years hotel experience to the position.
After being part of Blackberry Farm for 19 years, Matt Alexander has been promoted from executive vice president to president. Alexander will manage the development and organization of business approaches as well as analyze strategies to meet and exceed guest expectations.
OpenKey continues to grow with the addition of Fabiana Moura as director of business development and partnerships for the Latin American market. Moura previously held leadership positions in Sales and Operations for hospitality companies including SiteMinder and Expedia collaborating, training, and managing her own international teams with proven success in Latin America.
Aqua-Aston Hospitality has named Cheyne Manalo assistant vice president, information technology. Manalo’s responsibilities include overseeing teams in IT services, desk services, and telecommunications company-wide. Manalo served as senior director of IT for Foodland Supermarket, Ltd., before Aqua-Aston.
Joseph Mills will use his Los Angeles culinary knowledge to bring contemporary dishes and executive focus to the Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel Hotel as executive chef. Mills most recently served in the same position at the Los Angeles-based Westin Bonaventure where he created unique food and beverage programs.
Dawn Aronson will be responsible for implementing product development programs that target new markets as director of sales and marketing for Carmel Mission Inn in Carmel, CA. A newly-acquired Kokua Hospitality, LLC., property, Aronson will also lead sales and marketing teams for the 165-room hotel.
European luxury resort Forte Village welcomes Silvia Brighenti as global sales director. Brighenti will include North America in global sales initiatives, creating a new market for the brand. After beginning her career with Le Méridien, Brighenti has worked for companies including Starwood Hotels & Resorts among others.
Angus Pitkethley will initiate new strategies as director of sales and marketing for the Park Hyatt New York, flagship property of the Park Hyatt brand. With a career spanning two decades in the luxury segment, Pitkethley has global hospitality experience in regions including the Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Sales executive Rene McCoy has joined Teneo Hospitality Group as director of sales for the mid-Atlantic region. McCoy has served in sales positions for both Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Westin properties in the Washington D.C. and metropolitan area. In her new position, McCoy will manage regional sales for Teneo’s regional hotels.
The Hospitality Asset Managers Association has announced the board of directors for 2018: Maxine Taylor will serve as president, Tim Dick as vice president, Larry Kaminsky as secretary, Christopher Ostapovicz as treasurer, Matthew Arrants as marketing chair, Kim Gauthier as head of the education chair, Larry Trabulsi as head of the international chair, Greg Kennealey as industry chair, and Steven Nicholas, Derrick Yee, Anjali Agarwal, and Melissa Silvers as at-large board members.
Peter Kuzyk will serve as director of sales for Bartech. Kuzyk will lead sales and growth initiatives especially in the North American region. Before Bartech, Kuzyk served as a national sales manager for the lodging sector of Dometic.
