A number of hotels have named new general managers in November. Here are a few to know.
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Jerry Gibson is the new general manager of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Honolulu. Gibson began his hospitality career with Marriott Hotels over 40 years ago and eventually became one of the youngest GMs in Marriott history before accepting a position with Hyatt Hotels Corp. He was GM for several Hyatt hotels and resorts in major destinations around the U.S., including Las Vegas; New York; Columbus, Ohio; Chicago; and Kauai, Hawaii.
After becoming area VP for Hyatt hotels in Chicago, Gibson returned to Hawaii to be area VP for Hilton properties in Honolulu. While working for Hilton, Gibson was responsible for all 23 Hilton and 12 timeshare properties in Hawaii, Arizona, Las Vegas and North West Passage, including two of the largest properties in the Hilton portfolio: Hilton Hawaiian Village and Hilton Waikoloa. Gibson later transitioned to spearhead the redevelopment of Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shores of Oahu, where he served as VP with BRE Hotels & Resorts.
Big Cypress Lodge
Romaine Scott is the new hotel manager for Big Cypress Lodge in Memphis, Tenn., part of the 32-story Memphis Pyramid. Scott will oversee operations for the 103-room hotel.
With more than 20 years of experience in hotel management, Scott held key managerial and rooms division positions in Jamaica, New York City and Chicago before settling in Memphis. He comes to Big Cypress Lodge from The Peabody Memphis, where he served as the director of training and development and director of housekeeping and laundry. Previously, Scott held management positions at the Thompson Chicago and Ritz-Carlton resorts in Rose Hall, Jamaica; New York City; and Tyson’s Corner, Va.
Scott is completing his Bachelor of Science in Management from University of Phoenix, along with his associate degree in teaching: mathematics and science from Church Teachers’ College in Mandeville, Jamaica.
Thompson Austin and Tommie Austin
In Texas, the leadership team at the Thompson Austin and Tommie Austin have named Sonja Chase hotel manager for the dual-brand property. Before joining the team as hotel manager, Chase was the director of rooms, engineering and spa at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa. With nearly 15 years of experience, Chase also gained extensive operations knowledge serving in several other managerial roles within Hyatt, including as associate director of operations at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, executive housekeeper and front-office manager at Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center and front-office manager at Grand Hyatt Seattle.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Philadelphia-Valley Forge
Jason Wilcox is the new GM at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Philadelphia-Valley Forge. Wilcox has more than 16 years in the industry. Working in the upstate New York, Alabama and Philadelphia markets, he has held positions from auditor and executive housekeeper to rooms and guest services manager.
He joins the Homewood team as an internal promotion, coming from Prominence Hospitality Group’s Hampton Inn Phoenixville hotel.
The Inn on Fifth
The Inn on Fifth & Club Level Suites, a Noble House Hotels & Resorts property in Naples, Fla., has named Maria Hamilton GM. With more than 17 years of experience, Hamilton has worked her way up through the hospitality industry ranks. She was resort manager of the Jekyll Island Club Resort in Jekyll Island, Ga., where she played a pivotal role in the property’s transition to ownership and management by Noble House Hotels & Resorts. Before that, Hamilton spent more than 15 years at LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort in Naples where she held a variety of positions. During her time at LaPlaya, Hamilton was lead hostess, front desk agent, front-office supervisor, front office manager, director of housekeeping and director of rooms.
The Estate Yountville
Marc Adrar is the new GM at The Estate Yountville in California. Originally from Paris, Adrar’s background includes multiple management roles across luxury brands including Starwood Hotels & Resorts, The Westin St. Francis and Hilton as well as additional experience with Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line. Overseeing the 22-acre resort, Adrar is at the forefront of operational updates set to take place across the property through 2023.
Luminary Hotel & Co.
The leadership team at Luminary Hotel & Co., part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, has promoted assistant general manager Robert “Bobby” Nokley to general manager of the boutique 243-room riverfront hotel in downtown Fort Myers, Fla.
Nokley was director of rooms operations from Luminary’s opening in 2020 until April when he was promoted to assistant general manager. During his time with Luminary, Nokley has also played a pivotal role in several new hotel openings for Mainsail Lodging & Development, including Hotel Forty Five in Macon, Ga.; Epicurean Atlanta; and the Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel (Fla.). During his 15-year career in hospitality, Nokley has crisscrossed the country working in a range of positions at several properties. He received his hotel administration degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Two Disney Marriotts
Yedla Management Co. has appointed Donnie Jenkins as dual GM of its two Marriott properties located at Walt Disney World Resort’s Flamingo Crossings Town Center in Orlando: Residence Inn by Marriott at Flamingo Crossings and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Flamingo Crossings. Jenkins joins Yedla with more than 12 years of experience in hotel management, primarily with the Marriott and Hilton brands. His expertise ranges from opening new construction properties to rehabilitating older hotels to meet and exceed brand standards. Most recently, Jenkins managed the Courtyard by Marriott Charlotte (N.C.) Northlake.