A number of hotels, including several Hilton-branded properties, have appointed GMs in recent weeks. Here are some names to know.
1 Hotel Austin
Starwood Hotels has appointed David Duran the new general manager of 1 Hotel Austin, set to open next month in Texas.
Duran joins 1 Hotel Austin following his role as general manager of Pendry San Diego (Montage International), where he oversaw a 317-key property with six food and beverage outlets and led a team of more than 500 associates. He also supported multiple task force initiatives with Montage International, helping opening teams develop operational processes and brand standards for current and future Pendry properties.
AC Hotel McKinney
AC Hotel McKinney, Texas, slated to open in October, has appointed Craig Barnett its opening general manager
Barnett, a Kentucky native, brings more than 25 years of hospitality experience to the role. He joined Peachtree Group’s Hospitality Management division two and a half years ago..
The AC Hotel McKinney will be managed by Peachtree Group's Hospitality Management division.
Adero Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection
Adero Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection announces the appointment of luxury hospitality veteran Marlon Hirsh as general manager.
Hirsh joins Adero Scottsdale Resort following his role as general manager of The Island House and Old Fort Bay Club in Nassau, Bahamas, where he led operations for the boutique hotel and private membership club. He has held senior management positions with brands including The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Nobu Hotels, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Melco Resorts & Entertainment.
His background includes pre-opening oversight for City of Dreams Mediterranean in Cyprus, Europe’s first integrated resort and casino, and Nobu Hotel Manila, the brand’s premiere property in Asia.
Cypress Inn
Cypress Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., has named Alec Strandburg general manager.
Strandburg joins Cypress Inn after more than 15 years working in hospitality throughout Monterey County. A Michigan State University graduate, Strandburg relocated to Monterey County in 2011 and has held leadership positions with Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pebble Beach Resorts, Carmel Mission Inn and Bernardus Lodge & Spa.
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
In Colorado, the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center appointed Matt Marshall general manager.
Marshall assumes the role after working as the property’s hotel manager, overseeing rooms, food & beverage and events operations. He has nearly two decades of experience with Marriott International.
Hampton Inn Boston Seaport District/Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Seaport District
Hilton has named Rebecca Kirisits general manager of the dual-brand 252-room Hampton Inn Boston Seaport District and 164-suite Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Seaport District.
Kirisits has more than two decades of hospitality experience and more than 15 years with Hilton, most recently as general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Bayside, where she led operations, guest experience and team engagement. She previously was general manager of the former Embassy Suites by Hilton Secaucus Meadowlands and held roles including director of brand standards/operations for Waldorf Astoria, as well as rooms and housekeeping leadership positions at The Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria New York, and front office at Hilton New York Times Square. Her experience also includes leadership roles with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Sofitel Los Angeles.
Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas
Hotel Equities has promoted Dee Adams to general manager of Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas, part of Hotel Equities' CALA portfolio. A native of St. Thomas, Adams joined Hotel Equities in March 2025 as human resources business director, where she helped staff the property and stabilize operations through its opening. She brings nearly a decade of hospitality HR experience to her new role, having held HR leadership positions at Atrium Hospitality, The Juicy Crab, and Davidson Hospitality Group Before joining Hotel Equities, along with a Master's degree in Human Resource Management, a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, and SHRM-SCP certification.
Beyond the property, Adams extended her impact into the St. Thomas community, hosting a Labor Month workshop on job readiness for local residents that earned recognition from local government officials and programs.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Jacksonville (Fla.) Mayo Clinic Area
Georgia LaBelle has been named GM of the Home2 Suites by Hilton Jacksonville (Fla.) Mayo Clinic Area, set to open in early fall 2026. The hotel is owned by Hotel Development Partners and managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises.
Before joining Home2 Suites by Hilton Jacksonville Mayo Clinic Area, LaBelle worked with Shaner Hotels for three years, Sonesta for five years and Marriott International for 13 years.
Hotel Heron
Hotel Heron, Aparium Hotel Group's property in Old Town Alexandria, Va., is proud to announce the appointments of Peter Triolo as general manager.
Triolo has more than two decades of hospitality and food & beverage leadership experience. After graduating from the California Culinary Academy, he joined Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, where he held multiple F&B-focused leadership roles across major markets including London, Hawaii, San Francisco and Miami.
At The Culinary Institute of America, Triolo contributed to both food and beverage operations and the institution's educational restaurant programs. He subsequently joined LodgeWorks Partners and helped open Archer Hotel Napa before moving to Archer Hotel Tysons. Throughout his tenure, he advanced through several leadership positions, including director of food & beverage, director of operations, general manager and corporate director of food & beverage.
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
In late June, Randy Thompson, GM of the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., announced his retirement, with Mario Terran set to take over.
Throughout Thompson’s career, he has worked at Hyatt properties around the country. He began working with Hyatt as a line cook at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe and quickly progressed within the company, holding several leadership positions within the rooms division, from Louisville to Chesapeake Bay. He has worked as general manager for six Hyatt hotels and oversaw the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill’s renovation ahead of both America 250 and the hotel’s 50th anniversary.
Terran returns to the property from Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, having previously worked as the hotel’s Director of Rooms between 2010 and 2015.
Kimpton Ashbel New York–Park Avenue
Kimpton Ashbel New York–Park Avenue, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has appointed Ray Mannon as general manager.
Mannon has nearly two decades of hospitality leadership experience and is returning to the Kimpton family where he began his career and spent more than 15 years at several of the brand's properties, including Kimpton Hotel Marlowe, The Muse New York and Ink 48 Hotel (under the Kimpton flag). Throughout his tenure with Kimpton, he held leadership positions spanning front office, operations and hotel management. Most recently, Mannon was general manager of Sheraton Brooklyn New York.
Omni Pontoque Resort at Punta de Mita
Omni Hotels & Resorts has appointed Fernando Gibaja as general manager of Omni Pontoque Resort at Punta de Mita, the brand's first luxury resort in Mexico, slated to open in Spring 2027.
A hospitality veteran with more than 30 years of international experience, Gibaja most recently was general manager of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and will lead all pre-opening operations, strategy and guest-experience initiatives for the highly anticipated Riviera Nayarit property. Gibaja has led luxury hotels and resorts under Capella Hotels and Resorts, Jumeirah Group and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. flags across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, the United States and Mexico.
The Sun Rose West Hollywood
The Sun Rose West Hollywood, the newly updated independent property on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip, appointed Kris Umstattd general manager.
Umstattd has been in the hotel business almost his entire life. With his parents both veterans of the industry themselves, he began working in hotels and restaurants at 14 years old. After receiving his degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Umstattd held various sales & marketing positions with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels, Marriott and Hyatt. He joins The Sun Rose from his most recent role of Regional director, sales & marketing of Loews Hotels & Co.
W Dallas
John McAuliffe is the new general manager of the W Dallas, bringing more than 15 years of hospitality leadership across Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton and independent brands.
Before joining W Dallas, McAuliffe was regional general manager with Aimbridge Hospitality, overseeing a seven-property portfolio and leading hotels through transitions, major investments and performance growth within their competitive sets. He has also served on hospitality advisory and tourism boards and holds a Bachelor of Business in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Oklahoma State University.