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Industry news for the week of September 13, 2010
HIRINGS/PROMOTIONS:
The new Latino Hotel Association has elected its first board of directors, including the following officers: chairman William Fortier, who is senior vice president development, the Americas at Hilton International; vice chairman Carlos Rodriguez, who is president and managing partner, RodBlu Investments and DVI Cardel Funds; and secretary/treasurer Esther Fintz, who is vice president Triangle Management & Investment Inc. Members at large include Walter Barela, executive vice president/chief operating officer, Peak Hospitality; Charles “Michael” Diaz, principal and executive vice president, Driftwood Hospitality Management LLC; Benito Irastorza, president and ceo, IRAS Group; Nancy Poor, senior vice president owner relations, Wyndham Worldwide; Angela Gonzalez-Rowe, president and founder of LHA and president of AGR Hospitality Solutions; and Stacy Silver, executive director, HotelWorld Network.
Hilton Worldwide hired Celina Low as senior director, corporate communications, Asia Pacific.
Royal Caribbean hired Gabriela Gonzalez Saul as managing director for its operations in Mexico.
Carlson Hotels hired Christer Larsson as vice president of food and beverage for the Americas. Larsson was formerly an executive chef for the Westin Hotels, Hyatt and Aquavit in New York.
Marshall Hotels & Resorts hired Shaun Burchard as executive vice president. Burchard formerly served as president of Sun Development & Management in Indianapolis.
Lighting Services hired Elena Kushinskaya as regional sales manager for the Western United States and Western Canada.
Leo A Daly hired John Leopardi as vice president, director of operations for its Los Angeles office. Leopardi was formerly studio and operations leader for the Los Angeles office of RNL.
Pizza Fusion has added Larry Zwain, partner of National Retail Concept Partners, to its board of directors.
McAlister's Deli hired Frank Paci as president and ceo.
OPENINGS/RENOVATIONS/BRAND NEWS:
Design Hotels partnered with The Mira, its first member hotel in Hong Kong. The hotel recently opened Vibes, a fresco terrace lounge, and hired William Girard as the chef at its Whisk French restaurant.
The Rezidor Hotel Group has opened the 240-key Radisson Blu Resort Split in Croatia. The resort is housed in the former Hotel Split, which Rezidor put through an extensive renovation and reconstruction.
Seasons 52, a fresh grill and wine bar restaurant, will open a location in Naples, Fla., in the fall of 2011.
Concord Hospitality has signed contracts to manage the Courtyard by Marriot properties located in Lynchburg, Va.; Princeton, N.J. and Charlotte, N.C.
ACQUISITIONS:
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has acquired the Monaco Washington DC hotel for $74 million. The 183-room hotel will continue to be managed by Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants.
JER Partners sold the Hilton College Station in Texas to an affiliate of Encore Enterprises for an undisclosed price. Encore says it plans to undertake a comprehensive renovation of the 303-key hotel.
AWARDS:
Acuity Brands' Lithonia Lighting RTLED luminaire was named best LED interior commercial product at theLEDshow.
BUSINESS BRIEFS:
Planet Beach Contempo Spas was named to Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2010.
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