Resorts, hotels in U.S., CALA appoint general managers

Hotels across the U.S. and in Latin America have appointed new general managers and managing directors in recent weeks. Here are some names to know. 

El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

Hospitality management company Enjoy Group appointed Frederic Cappello general manager of the 121-suite El Mangroove, Autograph Collection in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula on the Gulf of Papagayo.

Cappello joins El Mangroove following his tenure as general manager at El Silencio Lodge & Spa, a Relais & Chateaux hotel in Costa Rica’s central highlands. Before his time at El Silencio, Cappello was resort manager at Nayara Springs and Nayara Spa & Gardens, both Relais & Chateaux hotels in Costa Rica’s Arenal region. He was food and beverage director at several luxury hotels and resorts, including Hyatt Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, Hotel La Samanna by Belmond and Lux Belle Mare Island Resort.

Cappello is a graduate of the Hotel Management School, Vatel, in Nîmes, France.

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Taylor Murphy is the new hotel manager at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego.

Murphy began his hospitality career at Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif., with Evolution Hospitality before joining Hard Rock Hotel San Diego in 2020 as assistant director of rooms and director of operations. During his three years with the property, he helped rebuild operations in the wake of the pandemic-driven downturn. 

Before returning to San Diego, Murphy was the general manager of Hotel Adeline, part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio in Scottsdale, Ariz., since early 2023.

Hyatt House Chicago/West Loop-Fulton Market

McKibbon Hospitality appointed Craig Pearson as general manager of Hyatt House Chicago/West Loop-Fulton Market.

Pearson has managed hotels in urban, convention, airport and suburban markets across nine distinct brands. He joins McKibbon from White Lodging, where he most recently was general manager of Hotel Distil, an Autograph Collection by Marriott, in Louisville, Ky. Making his return to Chicago, he previously was dual general manager of Aloft Chicago City Center and Fairfield Inn & Suites River North preceded by his time as general manager of Holiday Inn Chicago Midway. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Purdue University.

Hotel Maverick

Hotel Maverick, located on the campus of Colorado Mesa University, appointed Brian Smith general manager. In his role, Smith will oversee operations of the 60-room boutique property and its food and beverage concepts, while also managing the hotel’s hospitality management program, which offers hands-on career training to university students.

Smith is a veteran in the hospitality industry, bringing more than 25 years of experience to his new role. He has held leadership positions with notable brands such as Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Before stepping into his new role, Smith was the regional director of operations at Main Street Hospitality.

Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa and the Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta

Hugo Lecanda is the new multiproperty general manager for the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa and the Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta sister resorts. In addition, Lecanda will also be area general manager overseeing additional properties in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita.

Lecanda’s career spans 29 years in the luxury segment with 19 of those dedicated to Marriott International across the Americas and Europe. Throughout his career he has held executive positions with JW, Westin and Marriott brands in Mexico and Ecuador and has was general manager for Ritz Carlton properties in Cancun, Mexico; Budapest, Hungary; and Tenerife, Spain.

Lecanda earned his master’s degree in business administration at the University of Liverpool.

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, and The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, Miami

In Florida, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, and The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, Miami appointed Stephen Power general manager of both properties. 

Power’s career in hospitality began in food and beverage at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, N.Y. Most recently, Power was the general manager of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort.

Prior roles include director of hotel operations at SLS Beverly Hills (Calif.), a Luxury Collection Hotel; and director of food and beverage at The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles; The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba; and The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. He also was general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.

Veranó San Juan

Veranó Hotels + Resorts appointed Pierre-Alex Maillard area general manager. Maillard will lead the team at Veranó San Juan, which is the first of three new luxury lifestyle hotels slated for Puerto Rico by Veranó.

Maillard’s most recent role was general manager of Hyde Midtown Miami. He is familiar with Puerto Rico’s luxury hospitality landscape, having previously been general manager at Serafina Beach Hotel, now the Condado Beach Hotel.

Watergate Hotel

Abe Liao has been appointed managing director at Washington, D.C.’s Watergate Hotel.

Previously, Liao was vice president of operations at Aimbridge Hospitality, where he oversaw up to 20 hotels across the continental United States, with a specialization in Independent and Soft-Branded Hotels. This portfolio spanned luxury and lifestyle products in major metropolitan markets including Sedona, Ariz.; Dallas; New Orleans; and Boston.

Before Aimbridge, Liao was regional general manager at Lore Group in Washington, D.C., overseeing both Riggs Washington, D.C. and Lyle Washington, D.C.

Westin Alexandria Old Town

The Westin Alexandria Old Town, which just finished a complete renovation to its signature Trademark Restaurant, appointed Ravi Gaur as general manager.

Gaur is originally from India and began his hospitality career with Marriott International at Goa Marriott Resort & Spa. In 2008, he moved to the U.S., working with Marriott and IHG brands. For the past 12 years, he worked with Aimbridge Hospitality and hotels including Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; NoMo SoHo New York; The London New York; The Westin Portland (Maine) Harborview; and The Westin Seaport Boston, among others.