Hotel development and management company White Lodging has named Jean-Luc Barone as CEO of hospitality management. Ken Barrett, who previously held this role, will continue to serve as president of White Lodging, focused on the performance of the company’s owned assets and other key company initiatives.
Both Barone and Barrett will report to White Lodging founder and Chairman Bruce White.
Barone joined White Lodging in 2016 as the VP of food & beverage, and most recently served as the company’s chief operating officer, a position he has held since 2018. Filling the now-open COO position is David Lanterman, current SVP of operations at White Lodging.
“Jean-Luc and David have been catalysts for positive change and have quickly elevated the company’s urban and lifestyle hotel offerings and locally relevant restaurants,” White said. “Both leaders also have a reputation for creating an environment that allows each associate to be their best self, and grow through training, development and mentorship—something associates all across the industry need more than ever.”
Barone is responsible for all of White Lodging’s hospitality management operations, including new hotel openings; concept creation and execution; and the Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection. Before joining White Lodging, Barone spent 16 years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in a variety of operation roles, including VP of global food & beverage.
As CEO, Lanterman will oversee all strategy execution, operations and customer service at the property level. His focus will be on driving consistent and focused execution across the portfolio. Before joining White Lodging in 2013, Lanterman spent 10 years with Winegardner & Hammons Hotel Group in multiple leadership positions. He is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University.
New VPs Named
Steve Ransone will serve as White Lodging’s VP of organizational capability. In this role, Ransone is responsible for recruiting, training, development and other direct efforts designed to grow associates’ skillsets. Ransone is a 23-year White Lodging veteran who most recently served as VP of rooms operations. He worked at Marriott International for more than 10 years before joining White Lodging.
Whitney Flores will serve as White Lodging’s VP of rooms operations, filling the role most recently held by Ransone. Flores joined White Lodging in 2014 and most recently served as director of rooms operations. She is responsible for execution and process improvement across all front office and housekeeping operations, including all new hotel openings. Before Joining White Lodging, Flores spent five years in various Hyatt Hotels Corp. operations roles.