Hotel Granduca Austin appointed Ray DeJohn as director of sales and marketing, Angie Lime as sous chef, Jonathan Ludlow as food-and-beverage outlets manager, Erica Camarillo as catering sales manager, Gerald Guerra as controller and Dillon Magnuson as front-office manager. The 194-room Tuscan-inspired hotel opened in November 2015 in the Westlake area of Austin, Texas.
“We are thrilled to have such talented professionals on our team,” Larry Bundy, GM of Hotel Granduca Austin, said in a statement. “Each individual boasts an outstanding work ethic and proven track record of achievement in the hospitality industry. We are proud to have them on board.”
DeJohn was promoted to director of sales & marketing, where he will lead the sales and catering team, create and support strategic initiatives to maintain and increase hotel sales, and manage corporate and consortia markets. DeJohn joined Hotel Granduca Austin in 2015 as sales manager, part of the pre-opening team, where he was responsible for building corporate and leisure travel programs for the upscale hotel in the Westlake area of Austin. Prior to Hotel Granduca Austin, DeJohn served as sales manager for DoubleTree by Hilton. He also worked with Morgans Hotel Group as group sales manager and is a member of The Global Business Travel Association.
Lime was promoted to sous chef of Visconti Ristorante at Hotel Granduca Austin. In this role, Lime focuses on ensuring that customers have the best culinary experience possible by creating high-quality dishes. Lime joined Hotel Granduca Austin in 2015 as kitchen manager, where she assisted in quality production, kitchen organization, task assignments, training and communication with the team. Prior to Hotel Granduca Austin, Lime served as deli clerk for Publix Supermarkets. She also worked with Hilton Worldwide as a line cook and garde manger cook for Delaware North Companies.
Ludlow was appointed food-and-beverage outlets manager of Hotel Granduca Austin. Ludlow will manage all food-and-beverage outlets, collaborating with the executive chef and culinary team. Most recently, Ludlow served as food & beverage manager at Doubletree by Hilton at Campbell Centre in Dallas, Texas, where he managed daily operations of the food and beverage department, assisted with menu development, and analyzed expenses and revenues, developing profit and loss statements for management. Previous to Doubletree by Hilton, Ludlow worked as assistant restaurant manager at Edoko Sushi and Robata in Frisco, Texas, and as a bartender with ALoft Hotels in Plano, Texas.
Camarillo joins the Hotel Granduca Austin teams as catering sales manager. In this position, Camarillo will be responsible for booking, selling, planning and coordinating all special social events. Previously, Camarillo served as catering event manager with Mondrian Los Angeles, where she consulted in full-service event planning, including planning events in conjunction with the Oscars and Coachella. Prior to Mondrian Los Angeles, she worked as catering sales manager for Eilan Hotel and spa and restaurant group & catering coordinator for Sustenio Restaurant at Eilan Hotel and Spa.
Guerra was promoted from assistant director of finance to controller of Hotel Granduca Austin. Bringing over nine years of experience, as controller, Guerra will oversee financial reporting, investments, risk management, and cash flow analysis, among other financial aspects of the business. Guerra joined the Hotel Granduca Austin team in 2015 as assistant director of finance, where he was responsible for assisting in the direction and administration of all financial operations of the hotel. Prior to Hotel Granduca Austin, Guerra worked as assistant controller at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas, and assistant controller at Hotel Derek in Austin, Texas.
Magnuson was promoted to front-office manager of Hotel Granduca Austin. Magnuson joined Hotel Granduca Austin in 2015 as part of the opening team, as guest services supervisor, where he was responsible for assisting with reward program enrollment, incentive plans, inventory, staff management and daily operations. In his current role, Magnuson will supervise front office personnel and ensure proper completion of all front office duties, as well as direct and coordinate the activities of the front desk, reservations and guest services.