La Quinta didn’t have to look far for its new chief executive. The company announced it has appointed Keith Cline to serve as president and CEO, effective immediately. In addition, Jim Forson has been named the company’s EVP and CFO. Both leaders had been serving in their respective roles on an interim basis, ever since former CEO Wayne Goldberg suddenly stepped down last September after almost nine years on the job. Cline joined La Quinta in January 2013 as EVP and CFO, where he helped to lead the company through its initial public offering. Forson previously served as La Quinta’s SVP and chief accounting officer.
Here’s a look at more notable job announcements from this week:
FelCor Lodging Trust has announced that the company plans to select two new independent directors to its board of directors, who will then stand for re-election at the company’s 2016 annual meeting of stockholders. FelCor also has entered into a letter agreement with Land and Buildings Investment Management, a registered investment advisor specializing in publicly traded real estate and real estate related securities. The two new independent directors will be mutually agreed upon by the company and Land and Buildings, and will also be appointed one each to the finance committee and the executive committee of the board.
Marcus Hotels & Resorts has announced that Jeff Stewart has been appointed general manager of the Sheraton Madison hotel in Madison, Wis. The company also announced the addition of Alex Mabry as assistant director of sales, and Kara Gugel as banquets manager for both the Hilton Madison and Sheraton Madison hotels.
Two South Florida Sonesta hotels have announced six new hire and executive promotions. Daniel Meys has been promoted from director of food and beverage to director of operations for Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach. Leandro Ortega has been promoted from director of human resources for Sonesta Coconut Grove to area director of human resources for both hotels. Tracey Spodeck has been promoted from director of revenue management for Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach to area director of revenue, overseeing both properties. Cristina Mach has been added to the team as food and beverage manager for Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Mallory Anderson has been promoted from human resources and executive administrative assistant to human resources manager at Sonesta Fort Lauderdale.
Jason Williams has been appointed general manager of Hotel Zephyr, the first property within the new Pivot Hotels & Resorts lifestyle and luxury collection. With more than 13 years of hospitality industry experience, Williams will lead all operations of the 361-room premier waterfront property.
Casey Graves has been named general manager of The Inn at Laguna Beach with oversight of nearby sister property, Laguna Beach House, both owned and operated by Classic Hotels & Resorts. Graves most recently served as general manager of the historic Hidden Inn in the Catskill Mountains, and in his current role he will be responsible for overseeing daily operations of the two Laguna Beach boutique hotels.
Nobu Hotel Eden Roc has appointed two industry executives to the soon-to-be-opened hotel. Rachael Palumbo has been named director of sales and marketing and Tina Gerson will serve as director of sales. Both Palumbo and Gerson are currently overseeing sales and marketing operations in their respective roles at the property, which will continue to operate as Eden Roc Miami Beach until the official re-launch of the hotel.
Honua Kai Resort & Spa has announced that Dolly Moreno will hold the position of director of sales and marketing for the 628-suite luxury resort located on Maui’s Kaanapali North Beach. In her new role, Moreno will oversee the direction of reservations, revenue management, sales, marketing, and public relations efforts.
HHM announced the appointment of 40-year hospitality veteran Joseph Klam as executive vice president of financial services and a member of the hotel management company’s executive leadership team. Klam will reinforce HHM’s finance and accounting platform during a period of rapid growth in the company’s management of full service, independent, and resort properties.
David M. Maum has been elected director of The Marcus Corporation in Milwaukee, Wis. Baum is a former partner at Goldman, Sachs & Co. and is currently the president of Revolution Golf.
