A number of hotel and hospitality companies have announced appointments and promotions in the past week. Here are some key names to know.
Dimension Hospitality
Hotel management and development company Dimension Hospitality has named Greg Friedman CEO following the sudden death of company founder and philanthropist Sam Friedman on July 2.
Friedman joined the company in 2000 as general counsel and most recently was company president. Greg and Sam focused on growing the company’s portfolio to its current 80 hotels through both hotel development and management contract acquisitions. During this time, he worked closely with Sam on the company’s core initiatives, and in the future he intends to continue the partnership-driven growth that has marked Dimension’s expansion throughout its history.
Sonesta International Hotels
Sonesta International Hotels appointed Jeff Knowlton as Chief Information Officer. Knowlton most recently served as vice president of information technology at Pursuit Collection, a Denver-based hospitality and attractions company, where he built the IT department to support the company’s growth. Prior to Pursuit Collection, Knowlton was VP of property technology at Sage Hospitality, where he played a vital role in developing and implementing the company’s IT strategy for both hotels and restaurants. Earlier in his career, Knowlton held a series of progressively senior IT roles at Vail Resorts and Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
Sonesta International Hotels also appointed Jim Mooney as VP of sales, focusing on the company's managed portfolio for full service and focused service sales. In his new role, Mooney will lead sales for Sonesta's managed portfolio. Mooney joins Sonesta with more than 25 years of hospitality industry experience. Most recently, he was GM at the 1,300-room Sheraton Times Square Hotel in New York City. Previously, he was VP of sales with Interstate Hotels, directing the Marriott Residence Inn & Courtyard brands and leading a portfolio of hotels in greater New York. Previously, Mooney was area director of sales and marketing for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, working at both the Westin New York Times Square and the Sheraton Times Square Hotel. Earlier in his career, he was a sales leader for Millennium Broadway in New York City and was part of the sales team at the Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore.
MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International appointed Daniel Yang chief customer & innovation officer. In this newly constituted role, Yang will lead and advance the company's global consumer success strategy, with a focus on maximizing growth and profitability at the intersection of digital technology and the guest experience.
Yang joins MGM Resorts from Aristocrat Leisure Limited where he was the company's chief strategy officer responsible for driving corporate strategy, long-range planning and corporate development. Before that, Yang held various strategy, general management and operating roles at Viacom (now Paramount). He was also CEO and cofounder of a mobile gaming startup and a strategy consultant for Booz Allen & Hamilton.
Banyan Tree
Hospitality company Banyan Tree Group appointed Tom Riley senior executive director, acquisitions and development for the Americas, and Javier de Villanueva Baygual as business development director for Europe. Both will spearhead Banyan Tree Group's strategic growth initiatives, investments and business development in their respective regions, supporting the company's expansion goals.
Throughout his career, Riley has held leadership roles at Marriott International, Hilton, Remington Hotels and Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants. He helped expand Kimpton's portfolio throughout the Eastern United States, Caribbean, and Latin America during his 17-year tenure. He holds an MBA from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
de Villanueva Baygual has an Executive MBA from IESE Business School and more than 12 years of experience in Europe's hotel industry. His consultancy background and extensive network with European hotel investors have led to advising significant transactions in Spain and Portugal, and recent accomplishments include securing ten properties for IHG Hotels.
Marcus & Millichap
Commercial real estate brokerage firm Marcus & Millichap appointed Chris Gomes executive managing director. The designation is the highest a Marcus & Millichap investment professional can attain. An executive director of Marcus & Millichap’s Hospitality Division, Gomes has more than 25 years of brokerage, advisory and operations experience. Previously, he was a senior managing director.
During his career with Marcus & Millichap, Gomes and his business partner, Allan Miller, have closed more than $2.5 billion in hospitality transactions throughout the United States. Gomes and Miller manage a team of hospitality investment specialists in Dallas; Austin, Texas; Houston; San Antonio; Chicago; Baton Rouge, La.; and Denver. Gomes was the firm’s top hospitality investment sales agent in 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
Highgate
Real estate and hospitality management company Highgate appointed Chi Hoon Bang global executive, sales & luxury experience for the Hawaii region. In his new role, Bang will be responsible for the overall strategic sales leadership and initiatives for the Asia-Pacific region and luxury leisure segments for Highgate’s portfolio in the state.
Bang most recently was the director of sales and marketing for Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, where he oversaw sales strategies for all markets including the U.S., Oceania and Asia. Before that role, Bang was director of sales and marketing for the Waikiki Parc Hotel. He has held sales and marketing roles at Halekulani, Asia Pacific Land, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, Westin Maui Resort, Sheraton Waikiki and The Royal Hawaiian, among others.
Maya Hotels
Charlotte-based Maya Hotels has promoted Phillip Butts to the role of VP, operations. Butts has been with Maya Hotels for more than 15 years, joining the company in 2007. Butts started with with Maya Hotels began as the GM of the Holiday Inn Express, Belmont, N.C. In 2012, he was promoted to director of hotel operations.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, named Cliff Atkinson president of the resort casino. A veteran of the hospitality industry with nearly 30 years of experience, Atkinson will positioning the resort casino for growth. Atkinson has played a leading role in the success of several high-profile hotels across the country including Luxor Hotel & Casino, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and Gramercy Park Hotel, and in a corporate capacity at MGM Resorts International, where he led their hospitality center of excellence. Atkinson will work closely with the executive team through a period of change.