Hotel executive moves: Accor, Aimbridge, Gencom, Omni

Here is a compilation of the most important executive moves of the past week in the hotel investment world alphabetically (by company):

New Accor executive. Accor has confirmed the upcoming appointment of Coline Pont as its new director of sustainable development, effective July 1. This transition follows the departure of Brune Poirson, who held the role for the past four years and played a key role in shaping the group’s sustainability roadmap. Pont brings over 15 years of experience in business transformation and sustainable operations and previously held leadership roles at Accor, most recently serving as purchasing director at AXA. 

Aimbridge promotes VP. Plano, Texas-based Aimbridge Hospitality has promoted Michael Murray to vice president of operations for Evolution Hospitality, the company’s lifestyle operating division. Since joining Aimbridge in 2016, Murray has advanced from GM to campus GM and, most recently, has served as GM of Hotel PASEO, an Autograph Collection by Marriott.

Baillie Lodges names new CEO. Sydney-based Baillie Lodges has named Michael Crawford as CEO, effective May 19. Michael Moret-Lalli, who previously led Baillie Lodges as executive chairman, is stepping down to focus on the company’s business development and growth efforts as head of global M&A and development. Crawford joins from Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co., where he has served as chairman of the board, president and CEO since 2018. He also worked at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and the Walt Disney Co.

Ensemble names new director. Long Beach, California-based Ensemble Investments’ hospitality division has appointed Daisy Pinedo as director of transient luxury sales. Pinedo will develop luxury sales initiatives and will forge relationships with industry partners and travel advisors. With more than 15 years of luxury hospitality experience, Pinedo began her career at Altour in Brentwood, California, as a corporate travel agent before transitioning to the hotel side.

EOS names new CCO. New York City-based management company EOS Hospitality has appointed Ernest Lee as chief commercial officer. With more than 20 years of experience in commercial strategy, hospitality and real estate investment, Lee joins EOS Hospitality from citizenM, where he served as chief commercial officer. He also worked at Cushman & Wakefield.

Gencom names new SVP. Miami-based Gencom has appointed Margaux Mielcarek as senior vice president of development for Bermuda and the Caribbean. Before joining Gencom, Mielcarek led multifamily and mixed-use development projects totaling over 1,200 rental units in the Miami area. Previously, she was a hotel investment advisor at JLL’s Hotel & Hospitality Group. She also worked at Club Med.

New exec at Kempinski. Munich, Germany-based Kempinski Hotels has named Hoda Tahoun as its new chief talent officer. With a career spanning over 27 years in talent management and human resources, Tahoun previously worked at Russell Reynolds Associates, serving as the global leader of the leisure and hospitality practice.

Meliá promotes two on board. Meliá has named Montserrat Trapé Viladomat as first vice president of its board. She has served as an independent director since 2022 and currently chairs the audit and compliance committee, with nearly 40 years of experience in law, particularly in international taxation and transfer pricing. Cristina Aldámiz-Echevarría González de Durana will take on the role of second vice president for the board. Aldámiz-Echevarría has been with ACS since 2002, where she currently holds the position of director of operations, investments, and sustainability.

McNeill names new director. Germantown, Tennessee-based McNeill Hotel Co. has appointed Chris Kontos as regional director of operations. Kontos has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Immediately before joining MHC, he spent 10 years with Hotel Management Group as regional director of operations for the Midwest and Carolina markets. Previously worked for CFI in various roles.

New exec at Omni. Dallas-based Omni Hotels & Resorts has appointed Adam Hayashi as its chief revenue officer. Prior to joining Omni, Hayashi served as the global vice president of revenue management, distribution and BI at Accor, supporting more than 120 hotels across the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Raffles Hotels & Resorts brands. He has also held various other leadership positions at Accor. She also worked for a boutique executive search firm and at SHUAA Capital.

New VP at Remington. Dallas-based Remington Hospitality has named Charlene Nigaglioni-Gang as its new vice president of sales, Caribbean & Latin America (CALA). With a career spanning NH Hotel Group, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Sonder Holdings and, most recently, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Nigaglioni-Gang brings experience in revenue strategy, account development, and global sales leadership.

Reside names new CEO. Lee Curtis has transitioned from CEO of Woodinville, Washington-based flexible and extended-stay housing company Reside to a board director. Succeeding Curtis as CEO is Gavin Morgan. As part of this transition, Curtis will continue to contribute to the company as a board director. In addition, he will take on the role of entrepreneur in residence at WestBridge Capital, Reside’s parent group. Morgan is a veteran executive with more than 30 years of global experience in real estate and investment management. He is currently a managing director at Westbridge Capital, which acquired Reside in 2017.  

Ruby promotes new exec. Fabian Zellinger has been promoted to chief growth & innovation officer at Munich, Germany-based Ruby Hotels GmbH. Zellinger has been with the Ruby Group for over six years and is a long-standing executive board member. In this role, he takes over leadership of all growth-related and technical departments, including the responsibilities previously held by Isabell Fuss, who is leaving the company to pursue new opportunities.

Stonebridge promotes 18. Denver-based hotel management company Stonebridge has promoted 18 employees across the organization to strengthen its commitment to driving results and delivering operational excellence for its ownership partners. These strategic promotions span key departments, including operations, accounting, technology, legal, risk management, revenue strategy and commercial services.