Hotel executive moves: Choice, HHM, Kempinski, Stonebridge

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

New VP at Aperture. Atlanta-based Aperture Hotels has named Kate Bain as vice president, commercial strategy. In this newly created role, Bain will oversee sales, marketing and revenue optimization across the company’s portfolio. She has more than 20 years of hospitality experience and most recently served as area director of sales for InterMountain Management. Her background also included positions with Omni, Marriott, Swissotel and independent hotels.

Choice names new SVP. Choice Hotels International has named Aly El-Bassuni as senior vice president of its managed hotels division. He brings more than three decades of hospitality leadership to Choice Hotels with a career spanning operations, franchising and brand management. Most recently, he served as president of operations, owner and brand relations at Aimbridge Hospitality. He has also held senior roles at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Radisson Hotel Group Americas.

New exec at Essex. Rochester, New York-based Essex Hotel Management has hired Christopher Wietig for its newly created role of director of business development. He brings nearly 20 years of experience spanning enterprise sales, marketing, real estate development and asset management across the hospitality, mixed-use, industrial and multifamily sectors. Before joining Essex, he served as director, business development for the Frontier Group of Properties.

First Investors adds EVP. Chicago-based First Investors, the real estate investment affiliate of First Hospitality, has appointed Jan Hajek as executive vice president, asset management and investments. Hajek previously served in multiple leadership positions at AJ Capital Partners, most recently serving as principal of asset management.

New CFO for HHM Hotels. Philadelphia-based HHM Hotels has hired Jeremiah Galvin as its new executive vice president and CFO. He brings over 25 years of hospitality finance experience, most recently serving as executive vice president of finance at an international hotel management and investment organization. He has held prior finance and accounting leadership roles at Marriott International, HEI Hotels & Resorts, B. F. Saul Co. Hospitality Group, and, most recently, Highgate.

Kempinski adds 3 VPs. Munich, Germany-based Kempinski Hotels has added three VPs to its executive team. Kristian Toivanen has been appointed as vice president of wellness & spa. Toivanen’s previous roles include positions at The Savoy and Claridge’s in London, as well as leadership roles at wellness resorts in Europe and Southeast Asia. His most recent position was executive director of The Aspen Tree in Thailand. Aurelia van Lynden joins as vice president of experiences. Van Lynden has over 13 years of experience in luxury travel and experiential hospitality, with past roles at Abercrombie & Kent, Perowne International and Pelorus. Dan Clayton has been appointed vice president of food and beverage & hospitality. Clayton’s background includes strategic roles at Keane and Meraki & Modus, where he advised on master planning and experience strategy. He is also known for founding the gastronomy platform FoodSheikh.

Rosewood names new SVP. Hong Kong-based Rosewood Hotel Group has named Jenni Benzaquen as senior vice president of residential, global, effective September 1. Benzaquen brings two decades of luxury real estate and hospitality leadership to the role, most recently as senior vice president, luxury group at Marriott International and managing director of Design Hotels.

Stonebridge promotes new SVP. Denver-based Stonebridge has promoted Jamie Pomeroy to senior vice president of business development. Pomeroy joined Stonebridge in May 2023 as vice president of business development. With nearly a decade of hospitality experience, Pomeroy brings a diverse background in investments, development, feasibility, and owner retention, shaped by his earlier work on the brand side of the industry.