Read the latest roundup of U.S.-based hires and promotions in the hotel industry.
Executives
Eric McCarthy-Zink
Chief financial officer
Hotel Equities
May 23, 2024
Promotion
Experience: McCarthy-Zink joined Hotel Equities in 2021 through its strategic partnership with The Hotel Group. He was promoted to oversee hotel accounting for the enterprise early on in his tenure.
Adam Patenaude
President
Dreamscape Hospitality
May 20, 2024
New hire
Experience: Patenaude joins Dreamscape Hospitality from a 15-year stint at Aimbridge Hospitality, where he most recently served as senior vice president of operations.
Patrick Miller
President and CEO
Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
May 13, 2024
New hire
Experience: Miller held key positions within MGM Resorts International, including senior vice president overseeing the hospitality divisions at MGM Grand, New York-New York, Excalibur, Signature and the Shadow Creek golf course. His most notable role was as president and chief operating officer at Park MGM and NoMad Hotel.
General Managers
Nicole Okuna
General manager
The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki
Honolulu, Hawaii
May 22, 2024
Promotion
Experience: Okuna most recently served as hotel manager of The Royal Hawaiian, where she was a driving force in elevating the property's guest experiences and leading key multi-hotel initiatives across Marriott's Waikiki Collection over her four years in the role.
Hector Ortiz
General manager
Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa
Key West, Florida
May 22, 2024
New hire
Experience: Ortiz has worked at a wide array of Hyatt properties, including the Hyatt Dorado Beach & Resort in Puerto Rico and Hyatt Regency Bonaventure in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Matthew Swisher
General manager
Moxy Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
May 16, 2024
New hire
Experience: Swisher was most recently the assistant general manager at The Jacquard Hotel in Denver, where he effectively led hotel operations focusing on leadership, recruitment, development and mentorship.
Avi Niego
General manager
Waymore's Guest House & Casual Club
Nashville, Tennessee
May 14, 2024
New hire
Experience: Most recently, Niego oversaw more than 1,200 rooms of mixed-use multifamily and hotel space as vice president of operations at Akara Partners. He also served as general manager of Nashville's Bobby Hotel.
Nicholas McDermott
General manager
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
San Francisco, California
May 13, 2024
New hire
Experience: McDermott joins The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco from The St. Regis Houston, where he served as general manager for the past four years.
Sales and Marketing
Alison DeBorba
Corporate hotel marketing manager
Ensemble Hospitality
Long Beach, California
May 22, 2024
New hire
Experience: DeBorba has experience as a marketing and ecommerce manager at several California properties.
Olivia Hill
Corporate hotel marketing manager
Ensemble Hospitality
Long Beach, California
May 22, 2024
New hire
Experience: Hill has previous marketing communications experience at the 600-room Westin Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, California.
Katie Moermond
Director of sales
Moxy Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
May 16, 2024
New hire
Experience: Moermond joins the Moxy Boulder team from the Moxy Denver Cherry Creek, where she served as director of sales since 2022.
Food and Beverage
Darryl Highsmith
Executive chef
Lord Baltimore Hotel
Baltimore, Maryland
May 23, 2024
New hire
Experience: Highsmith brings experience in enhancing kitchen operations and elevating dining experiences, recipe development and overseeing culinary teams having previously served as the executive chef at the Hilton DoubleTree Pikesville and at the Golf Club South River.
Matt Hale
Executive chef
Everline Resort & Spa
Olympic Valley, California
May 21, 2024
Returning hire
Experience: Hale returns to the property after working in multiple culinary positions at the resort nearly 20 years ago. Following his time at Everline, Hale served as executive chef at the Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington, and the Tahoe Donner Association.
Ulises Salas
Executive chef
C Lazy U Ranch
Granby, Colorado
May 19, 2024
New hire
Experience: Most recently, Salas served as executive chef at Gravity Haus' Slope Room in Vail, following other executive chef roles at La Tour Restaurant, a French bistro in Vail, and at Limelight Hotel in Aspen.
Hannah Timm
Director of food and beverage
Moxy Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
May 16, 2024
New hire
Experience: Timm has 12 years of experience in restaurant and hospitality management, and has worked for industry leaders such as Four Seasons, Montage International and Fox Restaurant Concepts.
Goran Basarov
Executive chef
The Quail Lodge
Carmel Valley, California
May 15, 2024
New hire
Experience: Basarov most recently served as the executive sous chef at the Michelin-starred Selby's restaurant in Redwood City, California, and previously held the executive chef role at Cordevalle Golf Resort and Spa in San Martin, California.
Miscellaneous
Heather Johnson
Director of conference services
Lord Baltimore Hotel
Baltimore, Maryland
May 23, 2024
Returning hire
Experience: Most recently, Johnson served as the branch office administrator at Edward Jones, where she played a role in enhancing client relationships and driving marketing activity.
To be included in an upcoming Hotel News Now U.S. Hires and Promotions List, email Associate Editor Trevor Simpson here.