Hilton names the leadership team for the 375-room Waldorf Astoria New York, which is expected to reopen its doors later this year following an extensive, multi-year restoration. Leading the team is managing director Luigi Romaniello, and returning to the hotel in a new capacity is executive director of sales Jasmin Howanietz.
Romaniello's 30-plus year career includes leadership roles at hotels worldwide, where he has demonstrated exceptional skills in openings, renovations, repositioning and concept development. In his new position, Romaniello plays a pivotal role in redefining the next era of Waldorf Astoria New York, further delivering on Conrad Hilton's vision of this hotel as the "greatest of them all." In addition to driving plans for the property's reopening, he is responsible for all aspects of operations for both the hotel, Waldorf Astoria New York, and Waldorf Astoria Residences New York, the hotel’s newly introduced residences.
Most recently, he served as managing director at The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, in New York City. Prior to this position, he spent more than 20 years with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, where he led the openings of Rosewood Baha Mar and Rosewood Abu Dhabi Hotel as managing director.
With 25 years of sales experience in the hospitality sector, Howanietz has returned to Waldorf Astoria New York after dedicating more than a decade of her career to commercial leadership positions at the hotel, including director of sales and marketing, director of sales, and director of diplomatic affairs. In her new position at the landmark hotel, Howanietz plays an instrumental role in driving the commercial strategy to establish the hotel as the pinnacle of luxury in Manhattan, further positioning the Waldorf Astoria brand as a global blueprint in top-notch hospitality.
Howanietz oversees all sales endeavors for the luxury group, leisure and business travel segments, along with New York City’s premier social events. She works closely with the sales and marketing team for Waldorf Astoria Residences New York and is focused on providing exceptional experiences for all guests.
The rest of the executive team includes:
- Maggie Mojica, director of group sales
- Michael Gubbins, director of property operations
- Harrison Rohr, director of catering
- Amanda Dempsey, director of marketing
- Steven Snyder, director of human resources