Hotels in five states recently announced general manager changes.
Washington
The 450-room Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle named Sunny Joseph general manager. Joseph, who has more than 30 years of worldwide hospitality experience, most recently spent two and a half years as GM of Fairmont Palliser in Calgary, Alberta. Joseph began his career in food-and-beverage managing various restaurants and bars in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Melbourne, Australia, before joining Fairmont Dubai in 2003 where he held progressive F&B positions. In 2010, he relocated to Canada and served as director, operations at Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which included a six-month stint performing dual roles of interim general manager and director, operations. In May 2015, he transferred to Toronto where he was appointed hotel manager of Fairmont Royal York.
California
Edward Thomas Collection of Hotels announced the appointment of Charlie Lopez-Quintana as general manager of Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, Calif. Lopez-Quintana has more than 20 years of global luxury hospitality experience, including three years at the hotel’s sister property, Hotel Casa del Mar. Before joining the Edward Thomas Collection of hotels in 2017, Lopez-Quintana spent eight years at Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., where he served as the executive director of resort operations. His career started with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Laura McIver is the new general manager of Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in San Diego. Before joining Rancho Valencia, McIver served as general manager at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, Calif. Key roles she has held during her more than 30 years of experience include vice president and general manager at Miraval Resort and Spa in Tucson, Ariz.; opening general manager at Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara, Calif.; general manager at Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara; and resident manager at Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica.
Colorado
The Ritz-Carlton, Denver appointed Brad Mills GM. Before arriving in Denver, Mills served as interim general manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, Calif. Before that, Mills served as hotel manager. Mills’ 18-year career with Marriott International began at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in McLean, Va., where he held numerous senior leadership roles including front of house manager, assistant rooms executive and executive assistant manager of rooms. Before joining Marriott, he held leadership roles in front office, guest services, revenue management, housekeeping, and food & beverage at both The Waldorf Astoria and The Waldorf Astoria Towers in New York City.
Vermont
Benchmark, a global hospitality company named Jay Sheldon general manager for The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, a Gemstone Collection property located in Manchester Village, Vt. Sheldon brings more than 25 years of luxury brand experience to his new position. Previously he was general manager of The Omni Richmond Hotel in Richmond, Va. Before that he held the title of hotel manager for the Omni Fort Worth (Texas) Hotel, a position he was promoted to after serving as director of operations for the property. Earlier in his career he held positions of leadership for The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, as well as for Ritz-Carlton resorts in Palm Beach in Florida; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Aspen, Colo.
Florida
Gina Fedotova is the new GM of the Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport at Gateway Village. Bringing nearly 20 years of leadership and hospitality experience to her new role, Fedotova most recently served as GM of the Residence Inn Orlando Convention Center. Before that, Fedotova held the position of general manager, preceded by the role of assistant general manager, at the Fairfield Inn Orlando Airport.