Derek Martin has been appointed as vice president of feasibility and planning by Aimbridge Hospitality and will be leading the team responsible for evaluating new management opportunities. New to Aimbridge, Martin has 15 years of hospitality experience and worked as the Senior Director of Davidson Hotels & Resorts.
Here’s a look at more notable comings and goings that have recently taken place:
True North Hotel Group has named Darren Piercey as general manager and Kathy Mendez as director of sales for the late February 2017 opening of the Residence Inn by Marriott in Jersey City, N.J. Piercey has worked with Marriott for 19 years and has opened three Marriott-branded hotels during his career. Mendez is new to the True North Hotel Group and previously worked as sales manager at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Manhattan and Chelsea.
Benjamin Caban has been promoted to area director of sales and marketing for Benchmark’s Beachwalk Resort and Marenas Beach Resort in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Prior to directing both hotels, Caban held the same position just for the Beachwalk Resort before adding on the Gemstone Collection’s Marenas Beach Resort.
Benchmark has appointed Patricia E. Berry as the general manager for the Ames Boston Hotel, part of the Gemstone Collection. Before being employed by Benchmark, Berry held numerous guest services and corporate management positions and opened 15 properties with Ritz Carlton for her over 20 year career.
Sean Riebau has been named director of food and beverage for Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, located in Disney Springs by Walt Disney World Resort. Riebau was employed for two years by the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel before moving to Florida and also spent several years with Interstate Hotels.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington, D.C., has appointed Gregory Leinweber as their new general manager. Before accepting the position, Leinweber worked with Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants’ Washington, D.C., hotels as director of sales. His new operational role will oversee the day-to-day happenings at the hotel.
Matina Lapanaitis has been named managing director for the Mosaic Hotel and Maison 140 by Benchmark. The hotels are both located in Beverly Hills and are part of the Gemstone Collection. Lapanaitis has 30 years of hospitality experience in San Diego, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Australia.
Noble House Hotels & Resorts has named Derek Rosen as the Pelican Grand Beach Resort’s executive chef in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rosen has worked in the industry for 21 years and has worked in many Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in various culinary positions.
Leah Bellemore has been named marketing manager for Roedel Companies. She is responsible for the generation and management of media budgets, as well as other aspects of the department. She most recently worked as marketing manager for Professional Teledata in Manchester, N.H.
The Kitano Hotel in New York has appointed Atsushi Koike to director, marketing and business development. Koike joins the company from Dentsu, Inc., an advertising agency in Japan.
