A range of hotel companies have revealed upper leadership changes in recent weeks. These moves include the retirement of Marin Management’s president and founder, three appointments at IHG and a promotion at Dream Hotel Group.
Marin Management
John Manderfeld, president and founder of California-based hotel management company Marin Management, revealed plans to retire effective Aug. 31 after more than 50 years in the hospitality industry. Manderfeld will continue in an advisory role after his official retirement and will work closely with Hogan Hospitality Group—which bought Marin Management in September 2018—during the transition. A successor is expected to be named in the upcoming months.
“Helping hotel owners realize the potential of their investments and provide better experiences for their guests is the reason I founded Marin Management, and has driven my passion for hospitality throughout my career,” Manderfeld said in a statement. “It has been my great pleasure to work with some of the most talented and dedicated professionals in the hospitality industry, and I’m especially grateful to my team for their support all of these years.”
Manderfeld founded Marin Management in 1990 and expanded the company’s services over 30 years to include consulting, development and management services for the lodging and restaurant industries. Today, it operates a portfolio of 27 branded and independent hotels.
IHG
Two longtime IHG employees recently began new positions. A nearly 13-year veteran of the company, Heather Balsley moved from SVP, global marketing, mainstream brands to SVP, global loyalty and partnerships. Jennifer Gribble, a more than 16-year veteran of IHG, will succeed Balsley. Both Gribble and Balsley will report to Claire Bennett, global chief marketing officer at IHG.
IHG also recently appointed Mark Sergot VP, global sales operations and enablement. Sergot, who joined the company with more than 25 years of experience, most recently served as chief sales officer for Associated Luxury Hotels International. Before that, he spent 16 years at FRHI Hotels & Resorts, the parent company of the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel brands.
Dream Hotel Group
Dream Hotel Group promoted Kanvar Singh from area managing director to VP of operations. In his new role, he will lead the operations and life cycles of three New York hotels—Dream Midtown and The Time New York in Manhattan and The Time Nyack in the Hudson Valley—as well as Unscripted Durham in North Carolina and Heritage House Resort in Little River, Calif.
Aimbridge Hospitality
Aimbridge Hospitality promoted Kevin Detz from SVP/corporate controller to EVP/operational CFO. In his new role, he will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of Aimbridge’s corporate accounting and finance functions and the execution of its centralized hotel support functions. Detz first joined Aimbridge Hospitality in 2014 with more than 12 years of finance experience.
Access Hotels & Resorts
Access Hotels & Resorts, a hotel management and consulting firm specializing in hotel, project, resident and asset management, appointed Fran Taloricco chief development officer. In his new role, he will be responsible for the expansion of the company’s portfolio of hotels. Before joining the company, Taloricco served as managing director of North American development for Best Western Hotels & Resorts.
Phoenix American Hospitality
Dallas-based hotel fund manager Phoenix American Hospitality named Ron R. Rodriguez regional VP. In his new position, he will oversee the company’s sales efforts throughout the western U.S., as well as in Texas and Louisiana. Rodriguez, who brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role, most recently served as VP of sales for PTX Securities.