Hotel executive moves: Crestline, EOS, Park, Sage

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

Braemar board member resigns. On February 20, Dallas-based REIT Braemar Hotels & Resorts announced the resignation of director Bob Ghassemieh, following a unanimous vote (with Ghassemieh recused) that he breached a prior cooperation agreement and company policies. Ghassemieh was just recently named to the board. The board alleged violations of the code of business conduct and ethics and undisclosed group participation, triggering a previously signed irrevocable resignation. Ghassemieh, through counsel, denied the breaches and cited an inability to fulfill fiduciary duties.

Crestline name SVP. Fairfax, Virginia-based Crestline Hotels & Resorts has added Maggie Moran as senior vice president of sales & marketing. Moran brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience joins Crestline from Vision Hospitality Group, where she was vice president of sales & marketing. She also worked at Atrium Hospitality and Marriott International.

New VP at EOS. New York City-based EOS Hospitality has named Abe Liao as vice president, operations. With more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, Liao joins EOS Hospitality following his role as managing director of The Watergate Hotel. He also worked at Aimbridge Hospitality.

Joali names new exec. Maldives-based Joali has named Lana Ghawi Zananiri as global director of sales & marketing. She has over a decade of experience and, in her new role, will oversee global sales, marketing, communications, and brand strategy.

MXR names pair of VPs. Germantown, Tennessee-based MXR Hospitality has named Dawne Brado as its vice president, development and Valerie Bolton as its executive vice president, human resources. Before joining MXR, Brado spent more than eight years on the construction lending side of commercial real estate. Previously, Bolton was executive vice president of human resources at McNeill Hotel Co.

Parable names VP. Aliso Viejo, California-based Parable Hospitality has hired Ed Martinez as senior vice president of revenue management. He previously held corporate leadership roles at Evolution Hospitality and Tarsadia Hotels.

Park names COO. Tysons, Virginia-based REIT Park Hotels & Resorts has named Sean Dell’Orto as COO, effective February 12. Dell’Orto will also continue to serve as executive vice president, CFO and treasurer, roles he has held since the company’s spin from Hilton in 2017.

New CEO for Sage. Denver-based Sage Hospitality Group has appointed Daniel del Olmo as president and chief executive officer, becoming the hospitality company’s third CEO, succeeding Co-Founders Zack Neumeyer and Walter Isenberg, who each served as CEO since its founding in 1984. As part of the leadership transition, Isenberg will assume the role of executive chairman of the board, while Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board Zack Neumeyer will serve as chairman emeritus and vice chairman of the board. Del Olmo joined Sage in early 2020  and most recently served as co-CEO alongside Isenberg.

Trailborn names COO. New York City-based Trailborn Hotels & Resorts has appointed Paul Eckert as COO. Eckert brings three decades of experience leading resort and independent hotel operations. Most recently, he was the executive vice president, operations & business intelligence at Davidson Hospitality Group. He also worked at Omni Hotels & Resorts.