Tortuga Resorts announced the appointment of Leo Schlesinger as chief executive officer. Schlesinger brings more than 30 years of experience to Tortuga, including international roles in London, New York, Santiago, São Paulo, and Mexico. He most recently served as group chief executive officer of Norte 19. Previously, he served as chief executive officer of Aliat Universidades.
Stonebridge announced that Orkun Aydin has joined the company as senior vice president of operations. Read more.
Hotel Commonwealth announced the appointment of Ken Ng as commercial director. Ng will oversee commercial strategy and drive continued growth. Ng brings expertise in commercial strategy, brand marketing, and revenue optimization from leadership roles across luxury and upper-upscale hospitality, including Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and independent hotels.
Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort announced the appointment of Niels Stuedemann as general manager. Stuedemann brings more than three decades of international experience to the role, and he will oversee all aspects of the resort’s operations. Stuedemann’s background includes experience with Marriott International, having overseen hotels within the Autograph Collection, Marriott Hotels, and AC by Marriott portfolios. Most recently, he led The BRIX, Autograph Collection in Trinidad from pre-opening through full launch.
Montage Big Sky announced the appointment of Christian Maeder as general manager, overseeing all aspects of operations across the resort. With more than 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Maeder steps into this new role after serving as the resort’s hotel manager since 2023. Previously, he served as hotel manager at Montage Laguna Beach.
Nusfjord Village & Resort announced the appointment of Claudia Rodrigues as general manager, effective February 2026. Rodrigues brings nearly two decades of experience in leadership roles across Spain, Fiji, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and, most recently, Belmond Safaris in Botswana.
Wild Dunes Resort, a Destination by Hyatt property, announced the return of Lindsay Dupont to its sales team as national group sales manager. In this role, Dupont will lead efforts to attract and manage group events across the 1,600-acre resort. Dupont brings more than 14 years of experience at Wild Dunes Resort, having held a variety of leadership roles across multiple departments, including banquet manager, conference services manager, national sales manager, and, most recently, director of banquets.
IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of María Daniel Espina as area director of U.S. leisure sales. In this role, she will lead leisure sales efforts across Six Senses La Sagesse and InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa. Daniel has represented properties across the Caribbean, Mexico, and Nicaragua, working with brands including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, 1 Hotels, Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, and independent hotels.
The Pearl Hotel announced the appointment of Francisco “Cisco” Pomalaza as executive chef of Havana Beach Bar & Grill. Cisco will lead Havana Beach Bar & Grill’s three dining avenues. He has managed several restaurants across Florida, including Council Oak Steak & Seafood at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Three60 Market, and 7th Avenue Social.
Sonesta White Plains Downtown announced the appointment of Ramon M. Perez as executive chef. In this position, he will oversee culinary operations at the recently renovated 403-room hotel. Perez previously served as executive chef at the Coral Springs Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. He has also workes at The Parker Meridien, The Hyatt Regency, and The Park Hyatt.
SkyBeach Resort announced the appointment of Ryan VanDusen as executive chef of the resort’s culinary operations. VanDusen has over two decades of experience, with management roles at properties such as Soho House and the Don Cesar Hotel. At Luma, SkyBeach Resort’s new Mediterranean dining destination, VanDusen will lead all culinary operations.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the appointment of Tamara Lohan as global brand leader — luxury on an interim basis. Read more.
Camelback Resort announced the appointment of Laszlo Otvos as director of mountain operations. In his new role, Otvos oversees all facets of mountain operations, including snowmaking, grooming, water treatment, and landscaping. Otvos brings nearly 15 years of experience in mountain resort management, including oversight of snowmaking, grooming, ski patrol, lifts, and summer mountain activities. His previous roles include leadership positions at Northstar California Resort, Woodward Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, and Disabled Sports USA.
Amadeus Hospitality announced the appointment of Dan Ciocoiu as head of travel media. Ciocoiu brings more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, most recently as managing director at Accenture Song. In his new role, he will be focused on accelerating growth, increasing customer value, and expanding the capabilities of Amadeus Travel Media.
The Board of Trustees of Destination Dayton announced the appointment of John Oney as president and chief executive officer of Destination Dayton, effective December 15. Oney will succeed outgoing President and Chief Executive Officer Jacquelyn Powell, who will retire after over 30 years with the organization. Oney has worked in the hospitality industry for more than three decades, and currently serves as the vice president, sports & meetings for Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Carmel Valley Ranch announced the appointment of Ty Thaxton as executive chef and Molly Coen as pastry chef of its signature restaurant, Valley Kitchen. Thaxton will oversee all culinary operations, bringing a background that includes executive chef posts at Ritz-Carlton properties in Washington, D.C., and Cancun. Coen previously worked as pastry chef at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver.
Scottsdale Golf Retreat at Troon North announced two leadership appointments, naming Thomas Ulrich as resort manager and Tom Pavao as director of sales and golf experience. Ulrich has more than two decades of leadership experience in luxury hospitality, serving in senior management roles with Hilton, Marriott, MGM Resorts International, and Wynn Resorts. Pavao brings two-plus decades of experience. A Class A PGA Professional since 2005, he has led facilities at Pine Canyon Club in Flagstaff, The Silverleaf Club in Scottsdale, and, most recently, at Barbuda Ocean Club.
