Hotels across the country have already appointed a number of new general managers since April began. Here are some names to know.
Andaz West Hollywood
In California, the Andaz West Hollywood appointed Christina Fry the new GM. Fry has worked with Hyatt for more than 12 years. Before joining the team at the Andaz West Hollywood, Fry was director of rooms at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort and director of food and beverage at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa. She began her career in hospitality as a front office agent at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. She held various management positions across the portfolio including with Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe and Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.
Arlo Washington, D.C.
Arlo Hotels appointed Cordell Nelson general manager at the newest addition to the brand portfolio, Arlo Washington, D.C., which is set to open in the fall as Arlo Hotels’ first property in the D.C. market. Nelson previously was general manager at the Arlo SoHo in New York City. He began working with the brand in 2016 and assisted with the opening of Arlo SoHo and Arlo NoMad. He was brought in as the director of front office at Arlo NoMad, then was promoted to director of operations and then general manager—all within his five-year tenure at the hotel. Nelson transitioned to Arlo SoHo as the general manager in 2021. In New York City, he worked at the Omni Berkshire Place, Millennium Premier New York Times Square and the Waldorf Astoria New York. He also managed the Hilton Garden Inn and Hotel Rouge: A Kimpton Hotel in D.C..
Enchantment Resort
In Sedona, Ariz., the 218-room Enchantment Resort appointed Jacob Kipping the new GM. Kipping’s former roles include general manager at Curio by Hilton in Saranac Lake, N.Y., and assistant general manager at The Point Resort.
Hilton Chicago
Hilton Chicago appointed Misoon Kong general manager, the first woman to hold the position in the property’s 97 years. Most recently, Kong was complex general manager of Juniper Hotel Cupertino, Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Jose. She has worked at hotels both in the U.S. and in Korea and has experience in hotel operations, sales and marketing, rooms and revenue management and held leadership positions at resort, airport and luxury hotels. Her tenure as a hotelier includes additional postings at JW Marriott Seoul, Marriott Seattle and Marina del Rey by Marriott.
JW Marriott Nashville
JW Marriott Nashville appointed Kathryn Day general manager. In her new role, Day will oversee the property's day-to-day operations including staff management and deployment, strategic planning, budgeting and sales and marketing. Day previously was GM of the Starling in Atlanta, where she spearheaded the property's growth and rebranding as a Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton. Before this, Day was the GM of The Mansion on Forsyth Park, an Autography Collection property in Savannah, Ga; Hotel Manager of the Hilton and Towers Atlanta; and General Manager of the Hilton Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Beach Resort. She also held other leadership and key positions at properties including The Drake Hotel by Hilton, the Ambassador Hotel and the Waldorf Astoria—all in Chicago.
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa
In California, Aimbridge Hospitality appointed Ben Ly as the new general manager of the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa. Ly previously was director of rooms at Hilton Santa Barbara (Calif.) Beachfront Resort, director of operations at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles and general manager of the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport. Most recently, Ly was the GM at the Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach in Oxnard, Calif. In this role, he spearheaded the recent rebranding and repositioning efforts, which involved overseeing the property renovation, commercial re-launch and the development and opening of new F&B outlets.