US hospitality hires, promotions: Highgate hires two vice presidents of operations

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

Chief commercial officer
Extreme Hospitality
Jan. 8, 2025
New hire
Experience: Alpert's professional career spans numerous senior roles, including executive vice president of commercial strategy, senior vice president of sales and revenue strategy, and vice president of sales and marketing.

Vice president of operations
Highgate
Jan. 7, 2025
Promotion
Experience: Diamond has been an invaluable member of the Highgate team for the past six years, consistently demonstrating a commitment to excellence and a passion for leadership.

Vice president of operations
Highgate
Jan. 7, 2025
New hire
Experience: Throughout her 30-year career in the hospitality industry, Nolan has held multiple leadership positions at properties including the Kapalua Bay Hotel; Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa; the Trump International Hotel, Las Vegas; and the Planet Hollywood Towers by Westgate, Las Vegas.

Chief operating officer
Westgate Resorts
Jan. 6, 2025
New hire
Experience: Less brings more than 35 years of industry experience, having served as a partner at Grant Thornton, where he specialized in the hospitality and real estate sectors. He has worked with brands such as Ritz-Carlton, Marriott and Hilton.

Chief financial officer
Westgate Resorts
Jan. 6, 2025
Promotion
Experience: Since joining the company in 1994, Willman has played a crucial role in transforming Westgate's finance operations, including overseeing its financial reporting and loan portfolio.

General manager
Fidelity Hotel
Cleveland
Jan. 8, 2025
New hire
Experience: Conrad joins Fidelity Hotel following five years at Pyramid Global Hospitality’s Hotel Indigo Cleveland, where he oversaw the transformation of the previous Radisson Hotel including the process of obtaining permits, executing inspections and receiving design approvals for the rebranded hotel, which opened in 2021.

General manager
The Bower Coronado
San Diego
Jan. 8, 2025
New hire
Experience: Most recently, Murphy led operations as director of rooms at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, where he spearheaded the property’s opening and contributed to its recognition as one of Architectural Digest’s best new hotels in 2023.

Area general manager
Kimpton Monaco Washington DC and Kimpton George Hotel
Washington, D.C.
Jan. 8, 2025
New hire
Experience: Vogel started his hospitality career in Washington, D.C., swiftly rising through the ranks. He oversaw the operations of several National Capital Region properties, including the Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa, the Royal Sonesta Washington DC and Hotel Washington.

General manager
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Marana, Arizona
Jan. 7, 2025
Returning hire
Experience: Most recently, McHugh served as vice president of luxury brand operations for Marriott International’s MILUX Group, where he was responsible for implementing global operational strategies for Marriott’s portfolio of luxury brands.

Resort manager
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Resort & Spa
Scottsdale, Arizona
Jan. 7, 2025
New hire
Experience: Rydell has held a variety of leadership positions including roles with Marriott in the Pacific Northwest and California markets. She has excelled in various operational leadership roles including complex director of operations, director of restaurant and bar and director of banquet operations in the luxury lifestyle space.

General manager
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Naples, Florida
Jan. 3, 2025
New hire
Experience: Before joining LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Harper served as area general manager/managing director at CoralTree Hospitality, where he oversaw a portfolio of resorts, including Tamarack Resort, The Woodlands Resort and The Westin at The Woodlands, from 2017 to 2024.

Director of leisure sales
Salamander Middleburg
Middleburg, Virginia
Jan. 14, 2025
Promotion
Experience: Previously, she served as the resort's director of front-office operations, playing a pivotal role in managing key departments, including front desk, concierge and guest services.

Director of sales and marketing
The Bower Coronado
San Diego
Jan. 8, 2025
New hire
Experience: Durslag most recently worked as director of transient and business travel at Royal Sonesta San Francisco.

Area director of sales and marketing
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC and Kimpton George Hotel
Washington, D.C.
Jan. 8, 2025
Promotion
Experience: Throughout her tenure, Jones has moved through the ranks and embraced several promotions from sales manager to area associate director of sales to bring her to her current position.

Director of sales and marketing
Fidelity Hotel
Cleveland
Jan. 8, 2025
New hire
Experience: Ruhling also joined Fidelity Hotel from Hotel Indigo Cleveland, where she worked to implement various marketing strategies to drive business in new markets.

Director of food and beverage
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection
Miami Beach, Florida
Jan. 13, 2025
New hire
Experience: Faget previously led operations at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach and Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort, where he consistently delivered exceptional guest experiences while building high-performing teams.

Executive chef
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection
Miami Beach, Florida
Jan. 13, 2025
New hire
Experience: Iannuario trained at the prestigious Istituto Alberghiero Professionale “Carlo Porta” and built a career working in renowned kitchens across Europe and the U.S., including several iconic Michelin-starred locations such as The Alberta Relais & Chateaux and Ristorante Dal Pescatore Santini.

Chef de cuisine
Oystercatchers at Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
Tampa, Florida
Jan. 9, 2025
New hire
Experience: Prior to her role at Oystercatchers, Farrell served as chef de cuisine at Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, located at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort.

Executive chef
Fidelity Hotel
Cleveland
Jan. 8, 2025
New hire
Experience: Zalar arrives at Fidelity Hotel with more than 20 years of extensive leadership experience in various locations including Colorado, New York City and the local Cleveland market through his previous ownership of two restaurants: Nora and Inn on Coventry.

Director of restaurants
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Jan. 7, 2025
New hire
Experience: Most recently, Szekely served as director of restaurants at W Hotel Aspen in Colorado, managing a dynamic $8 million food-and-beverage operation.

Executive chef
Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina
Cambridge, Maryland
Jan. 3, 2025
New hire
Experience: For nearly a decade, Donis served as the university chef for the Office of the President at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. While at the university, he oversaw menus for special events and created a culinary medicine program in collaboration with the GWU School of Medicine designed to enhance community health.

Director of impact
Fidelity Hotel
Cleveland
Jan. 8, 2025
New hire
Experience: Dillabaugh’s background spans several aspects of hospitality. Most recently, she worked in project management for H.CO Partners, a real estate operator in Cleveland.

Managing director
The Tides Inn
Irvington, Virginia
Jan. 8, 2025
New hire
Experience: Villafane brings more than 40 years of hospitality experience to the resort, most recently serving as managing director of Silver Collection Hotel and Lodge at Moss Neck in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

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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