Hotel executive moves: EOS Hospitality, Lodging Dynamics, HRIH, Meyer Jabara

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

Alterra names new COO. Will Forbes has been appointed chief operating officer of the Experiences Division at Denver-based Alterra Mountain Co. Forbes will create the vision and strategy for growing Alterra’s adventure travel portfolio. Forbes hails from Toronto and has over 20 years of experience with global operations and strategy, with a deep focus on luxury travel with world-class brands including Four Seasons and Kensington Tours. Before that, he held various strategy and marketing roles at leading consumer brands like Heineken and Molson Coors.

EOS Hospitality names new SVP. New York City-based EOS Hospitality has appointed Patrick Berwald as senior food and beverage vice president. With more than 25 years of diverse hospitality experience, Berwald joins EOS Hospitality from Pyramid Global Hospitality, where he most recently served as senior vice president of food & beverage.

Hospitality America promotes exec. Greenville, South Carolina-based Hospitality America has promoted several executives, including Meghan Macaulay, who was promoted to corporate director of revenue strategy. Macaulay served for over two years as Hospitality America’s revenue strategy director.

HRIH names new CCO. New Orleans-based HRI Hospitality (HRIH) has appointed Lior Sekler as the company’s first chief commercial officer. He will lead HRIH’s newly formed Commercial Services Organization in his new role. Sekler previously served as HRIH’s senior vice president of revenue management, overseeing the company’s revenue strategy. Before joining HRIH, he held senior revenue leadership positions at hotels and resorts nationwide.

Lodging Dynamics promotes two. Provo, Utah-based Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group has promoted two executives. Dan Applegate has been promoted to vice president of finance. With 25 years of hospitality experience spanning both finance and operations, Applegate previously served as director of finance and has held several key positions within the company. Nick Vitolano has been promoted to director of business development. With a diverse background in hospitality, Vitolano brings a wealth of experience in resort, branded and luxury/lifestyle properties.  

McNeill names new VP. Germantown, Tennessee-based McNeill Hotel Co. (MHC) has promoted Jesse Kremer from regional director of operations to vice president of hotel operations. Kremer has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, and has had general manager and regional director roles at Tharaldson Enterprises, TMI Hospitality, Aimbridge, and, later, Hawkeye Hotels before joining McNeill.

New COO at Meyer Jabara Hotels. Danbury, Connecticut-based Meyer Jabara Hotels has promoted senior vice president of operations Eric Churchill to COO. Churchill joined Meyer Jabara Hotels in 2004 as general manager and was promoted in 2013 to senior vice president of operations.

Plamondon promotes regional VP. Frederick, Maryland-based Plamondon Hospitality Partners has promoted Nichole Vasquez to regional director of operations for their Marriott hotel locations in Frederick and Hagerstown, Maryland. Nichole’s career with Plamondon began in 2010 when she joined as an hourly associate. Most recently, Nichole oversaw Plamondon’s Marriott properties in Frederick and Hagerstown while continuing to serve as general manager of Courtyard Frederick.

Salamander names new VP. Middleburg, Virginia-based Salamander Collection has appointed George Terpilowski as its new senior vice president of operations. Before joining Salamander, Terpilowski was the GM of InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta and has also served worked for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Grand Heritage Hotels.

New CEO for The Celtic Collection. Coldra Woods, U.K.-based The Celtic Collection has announced the appointment of Julie Hammond as the group’s new CEO. She has over 25 years of hospitality experience in the new role and takes charge of Wales’ largest independent hotel group. She previously worked as an asset manager for L+R Hotels and group commercial director for Ralph Trustees Ltd.

New CEO at The Villa Group. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico-based The Villa Group Resorts & Spas has appointed Cesar Madera as its new CEO. He most recently served as vice president of administration for The Villa Group and has over 40 years in the industry.

New EVP at Turnberry. Aventura, Florida-based owner, operator and developer Turnberry has appointed Mary Rogers as executive vice president of hospitality operations. The 20-year industry veteran was previously the managing director/area GM of Montage Laguna Beach, Montage Healdsburg, Pendry West Hollywood and Pendry San Diego for Montage International. Before Montage, she was the VP/GM of Fontainebleau Miami Beach.