Hotel executive moves: DiamondRock, Waldorf Astoria NYC, Davidson Hospitality

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

New EVP for Concord Hospitality. Raleigh, North Carolina-based Concord Hospitality has named Marsha Ray as its new EVP of operations. Ray has over three decades of hospitality experience and will oversee the opening and expansion of Concord’s newest full-service hotels and resorts.

Davidson executive moves. Atlanta-based Davidson Hospitality Group announced Chief Investment Officer Steve Margol will transition to executive chairman, effective January 1, 2025, coinciding with the transition of Davidson’s current executive chairman and former CEO John Belden to chairman emeritus at the end of 2024. Jason Rabidoux, previously senior vice president within the acquisitions and business development team, has been promoted to executive vice president of acquisitions and business development. Josie Strang, who joined Davidson in 2018 as a financial analyst on the acquisitions and business development team, has been promoted to vice president. Paul Eckert, who joined as senior vice president of operations three years ago, has been promoted to executive vice president of operations.

DiamondRock restructures leadership. Bethesda, Maryland-based REIT DiamondRock Hospitality Co. has named Executive Vice President and CFO Jeffrey Donnelly as CEO and will join the company’s board after its annual meeting in May. Donnelly succeeds Mark Brugger, who has left the company after 20 years. Briony Quinn, previously senior vice president and treasurer, has been named executive vice president and CFO (she will also remain treasurer). Justin Leonard, formerly executive vice president and COO, has been named president and will remain COO while becoming chief investment officer. Troy Furbay is also leaving the company. The restructuring simplifies the company’s executive team, including its general counsel, from six to four members.

New VP for The Ascott. The Ascott Ltd. has appointed Thomas Lamson as the EMEA region’s vice president of development and PTS (product and technical services). Most recently, he was chief development, design and real estate officer at Adagio. Lamson previously worked at MKG Consulting, CBRE Hotels, JLL and Christie & Co.

New COO for Time Hotels. Dubai-based Time Hotels has appointed William Costley as COO. Costley was previously senior vice president for operations for the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey for Minor Hotels.

Managing Director at New York Waldorf. The Waldorf Astoria New York, expected to reopen this year after an extensive, multi-year restoration, has named Luigi Romaniello as managing director. Most recently, Romaniello served as managing director at The Plaza in New York City. He previously worked for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.