Ledunfly Hospitality, the luxury collection created by Swiss businesswoman and philanthropist Dona Bertarelli, has named Grace Leo as chief executive officer. Credited as a pioneer in the design-led boutique hotel sector, Leo will lead the strategic development of the brand’s portfolio in Europe and North America.
Here’s a look at other notable comings and goings that took place this week:
sbe has named Chris Sariego as vice president and general manager of Delano South Beach and SLS Baha Mar in The Bahamas. Sariego comes from Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas, where he worked for four years as senior vice president and general manager.
Salamander Hotels & Resorts has appointed J. Michael Williams as the new managing director of Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort, in Tampa Bay, Fla. Previously, Williams spent four years as executive vice president for operations and sales with Crescent Hotels & Resorts and worked for more than two decades with Hilton.
Benmark has named Todd Parmelee as vice president of food & beverage. In his new role, Parmelee will oversee the operations of all f&b departments for each of Benchmark’s 70 properties within the expanding Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and Gemstone. He comes from Entertainment Consultants International, where he worked as chief operations officer, regional director of operations, and beverage director.
Hyatt Regency Austin has hired Adam Edelman as director of food & beverage. In his new position, Edelman will manage banquet operations and oversee each of the hotel’s restaurant outlets including Southwest Bistro, Marker 10, and the on-site Starbucks.
Jumeirah Group has made a number of internal changes to its management team in Dubai. The company has appointed Margaret Paul as general manager of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Mahmoud Sakr has been made area general manager for the Dubai city hotels and the general manger of the Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Additionally, Jumeirah has promoted Sven Wiedenhaupt to general manager of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
The soon to open Omaha Marriott Downtown in the Capitol District in Omaha, Neb., has appointed Brent Hockenberry as executive chef. In his new role, Hockenberry will oversee and manage all f&b operations. The hotel has also named Vanessa Vasa as director of events at the hotel, which is scheduled to open in summer 2017.
New Castles & Resorts has appointed Julian Buffam as director of business development. Most recently, Buffam served as investment analyst for HEI Hotels and Resorts.
Westin Portland Harborview, a Rockbridge portfolio hotel managed by New Castle Hotels & Resorts, located in heart of Portland, Ore., is set to open on April 3. The resort has named Mary Weisheit as spa director of the featured Artneé Spa.
New Castle Hotels & Resorts has named Kevin Runner as general manager of the Westin Jekyll Island in Jekyll, Ga.
The Peninsula Hotels has appointed Mark Kobayashi, who started his career with the company in 2006, as vice president of marketing. The hotel has also named Carson Glover as director of global communications. Carson comes from Tiffany & Co., where he worked at the company’s headquarters in New York since 2008.
