The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation has tapped Shelly Weir as senior vice president of career development and Kelly Vazquez as coordinator. They will focus primarily on career development for the hospitality industry as well as oversee the new partnership between AHLA and the National Restaurant Association (NRA), which will enhance hospitality training, certification capabilities, and educational products. Both Weir and Vazquez come to the Foundation from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, which recently transitioned to the NRA in a deal that goes into effect Feb. 1.
Here’s a look at other notable comings and goings that took place this week:
Thayer Ventures, a venture capital firm specifically focused on innovation in travel technology, has appointed Lee Pillsbury as managing director, and launched its third investment fund, targeted to raise $100 million to invest in disruptive companies. Pillsbury, who is co-founder and co-chairman of Thayer Lodging Group, a Brookfield Company, has been a senior adviser to the firm since its inception.
AccorHotels has appointed Cédric Gobilliard to lead its newly created lifestyle division, comprising the Jo & Joe, Mama Shelter, and 25h Hotels brands, effective Feb. 1. Gobilliard joined AccorHotels group in 2009, after 10 years with Club Med, where he was CEO of North America.
Worldhotels, a worldwide group of independent hotels, has selected Geoff Andrew as the organization’s new CEO. He succeeds Dirk Fuehrer, who is stepping down for personal reasons. Andrew has been employed by Worldhotels as COO since 2014.
Hotel Valencia Riverwalk in San Antonio has named Trent Freeman as general manager. Freeman has held several management roles within Valencia Group over the past six years, most recently serving as director of corporate projects for the company.
Crescent Hotels & Resorts has hired Kathryn Bryant as vice president of sales transitions. Bryant will be responsible for onboarding new hotels, orienting the sales and revenue teams to the Crescent fundamental sales principles, and integrating all systems within Crescent.
Outrigger Resorts has appointed Revell Newton as general manager of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and Mary Loy as director of sales and marketing for the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. A 22-year Hawaii hospitality veteran, Newton was previously hotel manager at the Sheraton Kona Resort. Loy was director of sales and marketing for the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort since 2014 and has taken on additional responsibility for the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.
Eleven Inc., a cloud-based guest WiFi management software developer, has appointed Peri Pierone as CEO, effective immediately. Pierone will succeed Dan Meub, who is retiring after eight years as Eleven’s CEO.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) has announced the resignation of CEO Bernold Schroeder. The appointment of a new CEO will be announced before the end of February. In the interim, the group chief executive of PPHG’s owning company will oversee management of the company.
