Hotel executive moves: First Hospitality, Remington, Viceroy, White Lodging

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

Chedi names new CEO. Dubai-based Chedi Hospitality has named Stephan Schupbach as president and group CEO. With more than three decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Schupbach has held senior leadership roles across internationally recognized hotel groups throughout Europe, the U.S., the Middle East, and Asia. In his expanded capacity, he will oversee several strategic initiatives that support Chedi’s expansion plans. This includes leading the launch of a new Chedi boutique brand. He will also drive the creation of a dedicated F&B business vertical.

Club Med names North American execs. Paris-based Club Med has named several executives for its North American operations. Michelle Catin is now vice president of marketing for Club Med North America. She brings nearly two decades of hospitality and travel expertise to the role with a strong background in brand marketing, digital strategy, and public relations. Catin previously served as senior director of marketing at Palace Resorts. Frank Corzo has been appointed vice president of sales strategy for North America. He brings more than 25 years of sales leadership in tourism and hospitality, and most recently served as vice president of sales for North America at Karisma Hotels & Resorts. He also spent over a decade at Palace Resorts, leading U.S. field sales.

New COO at First Hospitality. Chicago-based First Hospitality has named Dave Montrose as COO. Montrose joins the company with more than 30 years of hospitality operations and leadership experience and is recognized for driving strategic results, strengthening property performance, and guiding teams through organizational growth. He brings a wealth of deep operating experience with branded, full-service, independent, and ultra-luxury resorts, as well as premium select-service hotels throughout the U.S. Montrose also has extensive experience managing large portfolios and teams, including his role as executive vice president and division leader at Highgate Hotels. He also served as COO of a division of White Lodging and held an executive leadership role at Brush Creek Ranch. Most recently, Montrose led InnVentures, a standalone operating company of more than 85 hotels affiliated with Highgate.

Highgate CEO moves to Viceroy. New York City-based Highgate Arash Azarbarzin, Highgate’s CEO since 2021, was appointed as CEO of Viceroy Hotels & Resorts. Highgate stated that Azarbarzin’s leadership will be pivotal as Viceroy expands its international footprint as the lifestyle brand currently has hotels and residences in Algarve, Portugal, Los Cabos, Mexico, Snowmass, Colorado, and St. Lucia, West Indies, as well as hotels in Riviera Maya, Mexico, Kopaonik, Serbia, Santa Monica, California, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Azarbarzin knows the segment intimately from his prior roles as CEO of the 1 Hotels, Baccarat, and Treehouse brands, as well as his experience as president and co-founder of SLS Hotels. Richard Russo told Hotel Investment Today that Azarbarzin will also continue to serve as a principal of Highgate, where he will remain actively involved in advancing the company’s global growth initiatives.

JLL names SVP. JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group has named Louis Barruel as senior vice president within its hotels asset management division. Based in JLL’s Montreal office, Barruel will focus on client service delivery and portfolio growth throughout Canada. He brings 14 years of hospitality experience, having held senior positions at leading firms including HVS Consulting & Valuation, InnVest Hotels, Carbonleo and Artifact Group. His portfolio management experience spans coast to coast across Canada.

Remington hires new EVP. Dallas-based Remington Hospitality has appointed Travis Burns as its executive vice president of business development. Burns joins the company from Aimbridge Hospitality, where he most recently served as vice president, business development, spearheading national initiatives to expand the company’s managed portfolio. Earlier in his career, Burns held leadership roles at Leisure Hospitality Management, Anish Hotel Group and Hyatt Regency.

White Lodging names regional director. Merrillville, Indiana-based White Lodging has promoted David Cirincione to regional director of operations. In his expanded role, Cirincione will maintain oversight of the Teaneck, New Jersey market, where he currently serves as the market general manager, while also taking on responsibility for a small portfolio of hotels. Cirincione brings more than a decade of progressive leadership experience in the hospitality industry. His previous roles include GM roles at Le Méridien & AC Hotel Denver Downtown, as well as GM and senior roles at Highgate.