Ritz-Carltons, other properties appoint GMs

July is almost over, so here are some newly appointed general managers at hotels across the country and beyond.

Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort

Minor Hotels appointed Judd Rabbidge the new GM of the Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll.

An Australian national, Rabbidge most recently was the hotel manager at the W Sydney, overseeing the pre-opening phase of the world’s largest W Hotel. From 2018 to 2022, Rabbidge was director of sales and marketing at the W Bali – Seminyak. His tenure also included managing operations at two other Marriott properties in the region. Earlier in his career, Rabbidge held various senior management roles with Mantra Group, an Australian accommodation operator.

Chatham Bars Inn

On Massachusetts’ Cape Cod, Chatham Bars Inn appointed Michael Briggs managing director. Briggs previously held various leadership positions at Chatham Bars Inn for nearly a decade. 

Most recently, Briggs was regional managing director at Olympia Hospitality where he oversaw Maine’s Inn by the Sea in addition to supporting the group’s growth of independent inns throughout New England. From 2016 to 2024, Briggs oversaw Inn by the Sea as managing director and general manager. Before that, he led teams at Chatham Bars Inn as resort manager, director of rooms and director of front office from 2006 to 2016.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown

In North Carolina, Parks Hospitality Group appointed David Cron general manager of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown. The 188-room hotel, which Parks Hospitality Group both owns and operates, opened earlier this year alongside two onsite dining concepts, E’Terie and Soprana Rooftop Cucina.

Before joining Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown, Cron opened and managed several Hilton-branded properties, many in North Carolina. Most recently, Cron was dual general manager for the Home2 and Homewood Suites in Orlando.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Nenad Praporski has returned to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego as the property’s new general manager. Praporski was executive director of rooms at the property from 2010-2015.  

Most recently, Praporski was general manager at Fairmont Austin, Texas. He started his career at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay (now The Delano) and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas before becoming the front office manager at the Grand Hyatt New York. He also held positions at the Hyatt Regency Long Island in New York and Wynn Palace in Macau. 

Inverness Denver

The Inverness Denver, a Hilton Golf & Spa Resort and part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts collection, appointed Aaron Bajorek general manager.

Before joining The Inverness Denver team, Bajorek was the general manager for The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop in Denver. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership positions at iconic hotels throughout Colorado, including The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Denver Marriott City Center, The ART Hotel in Denver and The Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail.

Outrigger Waikiki

Hawai‘i Vacation Condos by Outrigger has named Sootaga “So’o” Tana the general manager of the Regency on Beachwalk Waikiki by Outrigger, Waikiki Shore by Outrigger and AOAO of Regency on Beachwalk. In this role, Tana will assume the responsibility of overseeing the daily operations and management of these boutique-style condominium resorts in of Waikīkī. His duties will include cultivating a positive work environment, engaging with various boards of directors, moving ahead strategic enhancement projects for Regency on Beachwalk and developing strategic plans to ensure both property’s profitability and growth. 

Tana has been with Outrigger for 25 years, working at a number of different properties in positions ranging from guest services manager to hotel manager. He first joined the company in 1999 as a night auditor at the Outrigger Waikiki Village and Coral Seas Hotel. Since 2022, Tana was the area director of front services at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort & Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and before that, the hotel manager at Waikiki Malia by Outrigger (2020-2022).

The Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos

The Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos on Grace Bay beach appointed Louella Brezovar-van Veen the new general manager. 

Brezovar-van Veen’s career in hospitality has taken her from her island roots to properties in the United States and across the Caribbean. During the past seven years, Brezovar-van Veen has operated as the hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, where she oversaw renovations. 

The Ritz-Carlton San Juan

Marriott International appointed Sam Basu the new area general manager of Puerto Rico and concurrently to general manager of the The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan. Basu will oversee Marriott’s portfolio on the island, liaise with franchise partners, foster relationships with local officials and lead the re-opening of The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, scheduled for next year. 

Basu held managerial positions at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan for 10 years, including executive assistant manager of rooms and F&B. He also held leadership positions at Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino and The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, both on the island. Most recently he was the opening general manager of the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek (Fla.) Resort and Spa.

Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows

Real estate and hospitality management company Highgate expanded its executive leadership team at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows in Maui, Hawaii, appointing Edward Braunlich managing director and Yvette Kitagawa as hotel manager. 

Braunlich brings nearly four decades of domestic and international hotel and resort experience to his new role with Royal Lahaina, where he will oversee all operations. He spent 25 years with Hyatt Regency Chicago and Hyatt Whitney, and eight years with Ritz-Carlton before moving to Hawaii Island in 1989. One of his first hotel roles in the industry was at the Hyatt Regency Waikoloa (now Hilton Waikoloa Village), Hyatt Regency Waikiki, The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and, most recently, as GM of the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua. During his career, Braunlich has led several management task forces and opened 11 hotels, including the 300-room Gingko Standard Hotel in Ybin, China, where he was GM. He also held general manager roles at Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch in San Antonio, Hyatt Siesta Key Beach Resort in Sarasota, Fla. and the Hyatt Residence Club Bonita Springs, Coconut Plantation in Florida.
 
Yvette Kitagawa spent her childhood at the Royal Lahaina and has devoted 27 years of her career to leading operations from the front desk, room reservations, sales and as complex area director of rooms, Most recently she was hotel manager. Her father, Baye Balmores, was the hotel’s executive sous chef in the 1970s, and her grandmother, Emily Kaniho, was a retired baker at the resort. At eight years old, Kitagawa would string fresh plumeria lei for the property’s team to wear as they went to work.