Hotels in Las Vegas; Washington, D.C.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Houston have named new leaders. Here are the latest managing director and general manager appointments.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas/Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Virgin Hotels appointed Mary Giuliano managing director of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. In her new role, she will oversee day-to-day operations and lead the property’s transition to becoming the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Virgin Hotels’ first female managing director, Giuliano has more than 25 years of experience working in Las Vegas’ hotel, gaming and entertainment industry. Most recently, she served as GM for the 1,495-suite Vdara Hotel & Spa. The 1,504-key Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is slated to open in late 2020.
Thompson D.C.
The 225-room Thompson D.C. appointed Sherry Abedi GM ahead of its December opening. Abedi, who most recently served as GM at the Quirk Hotel in Richmond, Va., will oversee all opening initiatives, hiring and on-property programming. Before becoming a GM, she worked as a resort manager at Lansdowne Resort and Spa in Virginia and held a range of roles in food-and-beverage management. Pivot Hotels & Resorts, the lifestyle and luxury operating division of Davidson Hotels & Resorts, manages the Thompson D.C.
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
Prism Hotels & Resorts promoted El Conquistador Tucson (Ariz.), A Hilton Resort’s hotel manager of more than three years, Otton Suarez, to GM. During his more than 36 years in hospitality, Suarez has run operations at six resorts and hotels across the country, including the 428-room El Conquistador.
AC Hotel by Marriott Houston Downtown
The 195-room AC Hotel by Marriott Houston Downtown, opening later this month, picked Jon Craven as GM. Craven brings more than two decades of hospitality experience to his new role, including 11 in the Houston area. Most recently, he oversaw multiple Holiday Inns as Houston area GM. Before that, he served as GM at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Houston Westchase, Residence Inn by Marriott Houston Westchase on Westheimer and Homewood Suites by Hilton Houston - Northwest/Cy-Fair. Dallas-based NewcrestImage owns and operates the AC Hotel.