Read the latest roundup of U.S.-based hires and promotions in the hotel industry.
Executives
Rosanna Maietta
President and CEO
American Hotel & Lodging Association
Oct. 31, 2024
Returning hire
Experience: Maietta previously served as president and CEO of the AHLA Foundation and executive vice president of communications and public relations of AHLA, and most recently served as the chief communications officer and senior counselor to the CEO at the American Clean Power Association.
Abe Liao
Managing director
The Watergate Hotel
Washington, D.C.
Oct. 24, 2024
New hire
Experience: Previously, Liao served as vice president of operations at Aimbridge Hospitality, where he oversaw up to 20 hotels across the continental United States, with a specialization in independent and soft-branded hotels.
General managers
Justin Williams
General manager
The Alfond Inn at Rollins
Winter Park, Florida
Oct. 31, 2024
New hire
Experience: Prior to joining The Alfond Inn, Williams served as managing director of Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort, The Inn at Stone Mountain Park and Stone Mountain Park Golf Club.
Michal Dedera
General manager
Four Seasons Hotel New York
New York City
Oct. 30, 2024
Returning hire
Experience: With an extensive background in New York’s luxury hotel and real estate sector, Dedera also brings with him a unique understanding of the Four Seasons brand, having worked with the portfolio for over two decades including nearly four years at the Four Seasons Hotel New York up until its closure in 2020.
Brian Smith
General manager
Hotel Maverick
Grand Junction, Colorado
Oct. 30, 2024
New hire
Experience: Prior to stepping into his new role, Smith served as the regional director of operations at Main Street Hospitality, where his strategic leadership increased profitability across a portfolio of five luxury hotels and restaurants.
Sales and marketing
Robert Jones
Complex director of sales and marketing
The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa/Sheraton Stonebriar Hotel
Frisco, Texas
Nov. 4, 2024
New hire
Experience: Most recently, Jones served as the director of sales at The Highland Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Keenan Rothenborg
Sales manager
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki
Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Nov. 4, 2024
Promotion
Experience: Rothenborg first joined The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach in 2019 as part of the resort's recreation and in-room dining departments, where he held leadership positions and was responsible for increasing revenue through developing and enhancing guest experience in both areas.
Natalie Placer
Director of marketing
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences New Orleans
New Orleans
Oct. 31, 2024
New hire
Experience: Most recently, Placer served as the director of sales and marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, where she developed, implemented and executed marketing plans and selling strategies for the property.
Christopher Shiel
Director of marketing
Four Seasons Hotel New York
New York City
Oct. 30, 2024
New hire
Experience: Bringing with him nearly two decades of senior sales and marketing experience from global brands including Denihan Hospitality Group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Hyatt Hotels Corp., Shiel also boasts a robust knowledge of luxury lifestyle-driven properties in New York City to his new appointment at Four Seasons, having previously led successful marketing initiatives for Andaz Mayakoba, Hotel 50 Bowery, Refinery Hotel, and Smyth, a Thompson Hotel in Manhattan.
Laurie Helley
Senior sales manager
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
Orlando, Florida
Oct. 29, 2024
New hire
Experience: With more than 20 years of sales experience, Helley has spent the past four years outside the hospitality sector, most recently as product specialist in the home improvement and building industry.
Food and beverage
Michelle Gomez
Executive chef
The Alfond Inn at Rollins
Winter Park, Florida
Oct. 31, 2024
New hire
Experience: Prior to joining The Alfond Inn, Gomez held leadership roles in Hawaii, serving as the vice president of the American Culinary Federation, culinary advisory board member for the University of Hawaii and Les Dames d'Escoffier International board member and delegate.
Iwona Luksza
Director of food and beverage
Four Seasons Hotel New York
New York City
Oct. 30, 2024
New hire
Experience: Luksza previously held various leadership roles at prestigious establishments such as The Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental New York, The Knickerbocker Hotel, Crosby Street Hotel, as well as the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort before assuming her current position at Four Seasons Hotel New York.
Darren McRonald
Executive chef
The Sea Ranch Lodge
Sea Ranch, California
Oct. 30, 2024
New hire
Experience: McRonald, a culinary veteran with more than 30 years of experience, most recently served as owner and operator of The Pullman Kitchen in Santa Rosa, California.
Alexandre Panontin
Executive chef
Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa
Whitefield, New Hampshire
Oct. 30, 2024
New hire
Experience: Panontin previously served as executive chef at Hilton Curio Collection in Florida and Loews Hotels at the Ventana Canyon Resort in Arizona, where he honed his expertise in creating innovative dishes that reflect both regional flavors and global influences.
Maria Tampakis
Executive chef
Four Seasons Hotel New York
New York City
Oct. 30, 2024
New hire
Experience: Tampakis' extensive experience spans across New York to London, with notable career highlights including a two-year tenure at Jean-Georges in New York City, a near six-year tenure at Heddon Street Kitchen in London where she eventually assumed the role of executive chef, working directly under Gordon Ramsay.
Jay Wyant-King
Director of food and beverage
The Sea Ranch Lodge
Sea Ranch, California
Oct. 30, 2024
New hire
Experience: Wyant-King brings hospitality management experience from establishments such as Cindy Pawlcyn Napa Valley, Go Fish in St. Helena and The Pullman Kitchen.
To be included in an upcoming Hotel News Now U.S. Hires and Promotions List, email Associate Editor Trevor Simpson here.