Hotel executive moves: First Hospitality, Hotel Equities, Choice, Wyndham

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

Choice names new EMEA exec. Choice Hotels International has named Cedric Bartolini as its new commercial head for the EMEA region. Based in Paris, Bartolini joins the group with close to 20 years of experience in hospitality, including sales and account director roles at Maritim, Mövenpick and Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences, where he was most recently the head of sales and marketing.

First Hospitality’s CFO transitions to CIO. Chicago-based First Hospitality said its CFO, Roger Baker, is transitioning to a new role as chief investment officer and advisor. Baker has more than 40 years of experience in the real estate industry, including 16 years with First Hospitality. Matt Schuster stepped into the CFO role in April. Before joining First Hospitality, Schuster spent over five years in leadership roles at Club Quarters Hotels, where he most recently served as CFO.

Garfield Public/Private names SVP. Dallas-based Garfield Public/Private LLC has named Walter Peseski as senior vice president of asset management. Peseski has more than 15 years of experience in hospitality and asset management and was most recently vice president of business development at First Hospitality. He previously worked for Aimbridge Hospitality and Quorum Hotel Advisors.

Hotel Equities promotes two execs. Atlanta-based Hotel Equities has promoted Bill Stachler to senior vice president of revenue management. He has been with Hotel Equities since 2021, most recently as vice president of revenue optimization. He previously worked for Hilton, Promus Hotels and Red Lion/Doubletree Hotels. Hotel Equities also promoted Jack Meakin to vice president of business development. Meakin started with HE in 2018 and was most recently regional director of business development.

New marketing, revenue exec at Kessler. Kessler, Orlando, Florida, has named Angela Showley as vice president of marketing and revenue, responsible for leading the brand’s marketing strategies and overseeing revenue generation across its entire hospitality portfolio. Most recently, Showley oversaw the marketing and public relations department for luxury tour operator, Classic Vacations. Prior, she held various leadership positions at Marriott, including vice president, global brand marketing, social and PR.

Radisson names new regional executive. Radisson Hotel Group in Dubai has named Rob Collier as managing director of future openings—MEA & SEAP. Collier was previously director of future openings MEA and will now expand his support openings in the SEAP region.

Suntrust Resort Holdings names new president. Philippines-based Suntrust Resort Holdings has named Andrew Lo Kai Bong its new president following David Chua Ming Huat’s sudden departure. Lo holds a 72.1% stake in the company’s parent firm, LET Group Holdings Ltd.

Wyndham names new MEA execs. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has appointed Charl Nel and Jean-Claude Abi as development managers for the Middle East & Africa, based in Wyndham’s regional headquarters in Dubai. Nel has over 15 years of experience in hospitality and real estate across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and previously worked at Hilton, Radisson Hotel Group and TUI Group. Abi Khalil has over 24 years of experience in hospitality and has worked for At Reef Resort, Galleria Hotel Beirut and Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites & Resorts.