Hotel executive moves: HVMG, Hotel Equities, Noble, Northview

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

Aimbridge names new president. Plano, Texas-based Aimbridge Hospitality has appointed Chris O’Donnell as president of its select-service division, effective September 15. O’Donnell brings more than two decades of hospitality leadership to the role. He began his career as a general manager with Marriott and went on to hold senior roles at Magna Hospitality, White Lodging and Marriott. Most recently, he served as COO at Atrium Hospitality.

New CEO for DO Hotels. Tamer Khedr has been appointed CEO at Dubai-based DO Hotels, a musical-themed hospitality brand born from the creative partnership between One Development and artist Amr Diab. Khedr is a globally experienced hospitality leader with over 20 years of shaping guest experiences across the U.S., GCC, and Egypt. He was previously director of hospitality for Emaar Hospitality Group and also worked for Baron Hotels & Resorts, Shangi-La Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Club Med.

New VP at Extreme. Scranton, Pennsylvania-based Extreme Hospitality has added Mike Russo to its executive leadership team as vice president of operations. With more than 20 years of experience in hotel and resort operations, Russo has held senior operational roles with hospitality brands such as The Ritz-Carlton and Loews Hotel chains.

HVMG names new VP. Atlanta-based Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) has appointed Drew Slayton vice president, business development. With more than a decade of hospitality experience, Slayton most recently served as director, business development and investment analysis at Crescent Hotels and Resorts. Before that, he worked at HotelAVE and IHG.

Hotel Equities adds execs. Hotel Equities has made a series of executive appointments across its operations, finance and marketing teams. Taylor Hall has been named vice president, operations, and oversees operations for a portfolio of properties in the Midwest. She most recently served as vice president, operations at Aperture Hotels. Mike Hrusovsky has been named vice president, operations, and now leads operational strategy and performance for a multi-brand portfolio. With more than 37 years in hospitality leadership, he has directed operations for high-profile resorts and hotels. Before joining HE, he held senior operational roles at Hospitality Specialists. Martin Larralde has been named vice president, finance, Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) and oversees all financial operations for HE’s CALA region, partnering closely with regional ownership groups to ensure financial performance and long-term value creation. He previously served as regional director, finance for Oak View Group in Mexico, and also worked at Hilton. Mike Sutter has been named vice president, operations and now leads operations for a portfolio of lifestyle and full-service hotels within HE. Bringing more than 25 years of hospitality experience, he has held leadership roles with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Marriott International and Solis Hotels & Resorts. Dana Wendell has been named vice president, marketing, strategic accounts and leads marketing strategy for HE’s strategic accounts portfolio. She brings more than 20 years of experience and has worked for Miraval Resorts, Civana Wellness Resort & Spa, Omni Hotels & Resorts and Teneo Hospitality Group.

Langham names global head of residential. Hong Kong-based Langham Hospitality Group welcomed Rico Picenoni as its global head of residential. The newly created leadership post is aimed at advancing the company’s design, branding and operation of private homes amid a surge in property developments comprising both hotels and permanent dwellings. Picenoni recently helmed the branded residential consultancy team at Savills from the company’s London headquarters. He also held operations roles with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in the United States and Starwood Hotels & Resorts in the United Arab Emirates.

Noble names new exec. Atlanta-based Noble Investment Group has added Marc Dober as senior director, asset management. Dober brings three decades of experience in hospitality revenue management and portfolio strategy, most recently serving as operating executive at Cerberus Capital Management, where he oversaw performance for a national hotel portfolio. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Lightstone, RLJ Lodging Trust and the Goldman Sachs platform, CPG.

Northview promotion. Wilton, Connecticut-based Northview Hotels & Resorts has promoted Lisa Marchese from chief commercial officer to president. Marchese joined Northview Hotel Group in 2022, bringing more than 20 years of board, corporate and property-level leadership experience. Her background includes senior roles at hospitality and lifestyle brands, including Fora, The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, The Venetian, The Palazzo Resort and Casino and Witkoff.