US hotel industry hires, promotions: Kessler hires president of hospitality operations

Read the latest roundup of U.S.-based hires and promotions in the hotel industry.

President of hospitality operations
Kessler
Nov. 19, 2024
Returning hire
Experience: Formerly Kessler’s chief operating officer, Luckett will be returning to the brand expanding on his previous 15-year tenure and overseeing the company’s hospitality, sales and marketing, information technology, human resources and operations sectors. Prior to his current role, he served as the chief operating officer at MasterCorp, Inc.

Head of development, Americas
Mandarin Oriental Group
Nov. 18, 2024
New hire
Experience: Most recently, Cooper served as chief development officer for the Americas and Caribbean at Aimbridge Hospitality, where she led the development team in executing growth initiatives across the region.

President
Arlo Hotels
Nov. 13, 2024
Promotion
Experience: In July 2021, Suh joined Arlo Hotels as its chief commercial officer, responsible for revenue maximization, profitability, marketing, brand value, public relations and stakeholders’ returns.

General manager
Limelight Denver
Denver
Nov. 18, 2024
New hire
Experience: Corrigan joins Limelight Denver from Sage Hospitality, where she was most recently vice president of operations. Previous roles with Sage Hospitality included serving as general manager of The Halcyon Hotel in Denver, The Blackstone in Chicago and The Curtis Hotel in Denver.

General manager
Andaz Miami Beach
Miami Beach, Florida
Nov. 18, 2024
New hire
Experience: Rivera has built a distinguished career in Miami’s vibrant hospitality scene holding notable positions such as hotel manager at Kimpton EPIC Hotel, pre-opening general manager at Kimpton Palomar South Beach and general manager at Kimpton Angler's South Beach.

General manager
Hilton Garden Inn Bethesda Downtown
Bethesda, Maryland
Nov. 14, 2024
New hire
Experience: With more than 10 years of hospitality industry experience, Gallow most recently served as area general manager for Quorum Hotels & Resorts in Maryland, overseeing day-to-day operations for Homewood Suites Laurel, Hilton Garden Inn Columbia, and Hampton Inn College Park.

General manager
The Islands of Islamorada
Islamorada, Florida
Nov. 14, 2024
New hire
Experience: Williams’ career spans several notable properties, including her most recent role as general manager at Ki’ama Bahamas, a part of Elite Alliance Hospitality. Williams oversaw the design of club services, established operational standards and directed an exclusive pre-opening yacht charter program.

Hotel manager
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, California
Nov. 12, 2024
New hire
Experience: Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, Kumar held key leadership positions at renowned luxury hotels, including the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong.

General manager
Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman
Bozeman, Montana
Nov. 11, 2024
New hire
Experience: Daenen brings extensive experience in hospitality management, having previously worked as director of operations at Crazy Mountain Ranch for 12 years, as resort manager at the Resort at Paws Up in Missoula, as director of food and beverage at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club and at Under Canvas as regional director.

General manager
Avila Lighthouse Suites
Avila Beach, California
Oct. 25, 2024
New hire
Experience: Mendoza brings a wealth of experience in hotel management and operations, most recently serving as assistant resort general manager at Vespera Resort, an Autograph Collection property in Pismo Beach.

Director of sales and marketing
The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
Tucson, Arizona
Nov. 18, 2024
New hire
Experience: Seamands is an accomplished hotel executive with more than three decades of industry knowledge, with past roles including catering and convention service manager and corporate director of sales and marketing.

Director of sales and marketing
Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman
Bozeman, Montana
Nov. 11, 2024
New hire
Experience: Most recently, Peach served as area director of sales and marketing for Bardessono Hotel & Spa and Hotel Yountville Resort & Spa in California. Her hospitality career experience includes holding executive level roles with Rosewood Hotels, Belmond and Westin.

Director of sales
Snow King Resort
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Nov. 7, 2024
Returning hire
Experience: A resident of Jackson since 2018, Ross brings 10 years of experience in various sectors of the hospitality industry including gallery management, planning and executing special events, catering sales and conference services. She is returning to Snow King Resort after serving as conference service manager from 2018 to 2020.

Director of restaurants and bars
Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel
Miami
Nov. 18, 2024
New hire
Experience: Rios joins Kimpton Surfcomber from The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., where he served as assistant director of food and beverage. His career spans prestigious establishments, including Waldorf Astoria and The Ritz-Carlton.

Executive chef
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Chicago
Nov. 12, 2024
New hire
Experience: In his most recent role as the senior corporate chef at Houston-based restaurant group Berg Hospitality, he was tasked with improving the company's food cost and culinary procedures, all while opening five new culinary concepts.

Executive chef
Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa
Key West, Florida
Nov. 12, 2024
New hire
Experience: Most recently, Minelli served as executive sous chef halfway around the world in New Zealand at Park Hyatt Auckland. The Argentinian native has spent more than 15 years with the Hyatt brand, honing his talents across the globe.

Executive chef
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Los Angeles
Nov. 11, 2024
New hire
Experience: Prior to joining The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Cuadra led prestigious kitchens at numerous Ritz-Carlton hotels across the world. Most recently, he spearheaded a Michelin-concept signature restaurant at The West Hollywood EDITION.

Executive chef
Radisson Salt Lake City Downtown
Salt Lake City
Nov. 7, 2024
Promotion
Experience: Lokken brings more than 12 years of culinary experience to his new role, having joined Radisson Salt Lake City Downtown in 2022 as sous chef. Previously, he served as executive sous chef for The SSA Group at the Denver Zoo, where he managed banquet production and led culinary teams.

Executive chef
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa
Beaver Creek, Colorado
Nov. 7, 2024
New hire
Experience: A native Chicagoan, Chef Friedmann has led culinary teams at hotels across the country from boutique hotels to large resorts, including the Montage Dallas and JW Marriott Dallas Arts District.

Area managing director
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole; Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa; Snake River Sporting Club
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Nov. 19, 2024
New hire
Experience: Kingston brings a wealth of experience from various sectors, including iconic hotels, destination resorts, luxury cruise ships and urban residential developments, including 11 years with Hilton Worldwide, where he excelled in both sales, marketing and operations.

Director of engineering
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa
Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico
Nov. 19, 2024
New hire
Experience: With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Trumper has extensive knowledge and background managing electrical, mechanical equipment, and maintenance procedures. He has worked at several hotels and destinations throughout the southwest, from being the director of facilities at the Strat Hotel & Casino, to serving as the area chief engineer at the Embassy Suites by Hilton both of which are located in Las Vegas.

Spa director
Snow King Resort
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Nov. 7, 2024
New hire
Experience: Hilburn brings more than 20 years of industry experience to her new role as spa director of Grand View Spa, and was most recently the assistant spa director of wellness and recreation at the Loma De Vida Spa at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio.

To be included in an upcoming Hotel News Now U.S. Hires and Promotions List, email Associate Editor Trevor Simpson here.

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