Hotel executive moves: Hospitality America, MGM, White Lodging

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

Accor names China executive. Accor has appointed Kent Zhu as CEO of Accor Greater China, effective May 1. Before joining Accor, Zhu was president of Genting Cruise Lines and also worked at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Wanda Hotels & Resorts.

Dellisart names new VP. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina-based Dellisart has appointed Anjula Pandya as vice president of business development. In this newly created role, Pandya will lead initiatives across hotel client relations, management company partnerships, and brand development efforts throughout North America. With over 20 years of experience, her leadership track record includes impactful roles at IHG and Atica Global.

Gravity Haus adds president. Denver-based Gravity Haus has named Mike DeFrino, former CEO of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, as president. DeFrino has over 40 years of experience. Most recently, he was managing director of IHG Luxury and Lifestyle Hotels, Americas. Before that, he spent 28 years at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, serving as CEO until Kimpton’s acquisition by IHG in 2022.

Hospitality America names new CFO. Greenville, South Carolina-based Hospitality America has named Paul Isaacson as CFO. Before joining Hospitality America, Isaacson served as senior vice president for CBRE Hotels Advisory in Atlanta. He also worked at Stillwater Real Estate Consulting, Watermark Capital Partners, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Arthur Andersen and Keystone Consulting Group.

McNeill names exec. Germantown, Tennessee-based McNeill Hotel Company named Vanessa Gillman as corporate director of revenue. Before joining McNeill Hotel Company, Gillman served for more than 10 years at MCR Hotels as regional director of revenue management and also worked at White Lodging Services.

MGM extends Hornbuckle. Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International has reached a new employment agreement with CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle through the end of 2028. As part of his new employment contract, MGM has also agreed to offer Hornbuckle an advisory agreement at the end of the term to assist with its integrated resort project in Osaka, Japan, until its opening.

Pacifica names exec. Aliso Viejo, California-based Pacifica Hotels has named Mike Lerman as regional director of operations. Lerman brings over 15 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry and was most recently vice president of operations at Outdoor Citizen. He also worked for Evolution Hospitality, Waterton, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

PM promotes execs. Chevy Chase, Maryland-based management company PM Hotel Group has announced strategic executive promotions across the group and its lifestyle division, Modus by PM Hotel Group, as the company expands into new regions across the U.S. The promotions include Joe Del Guidice to executive vice president of operations; Tina Meredith has been promoted to senior vice president of revenue optimization; Mike Daley to vice president of operations; Mark Dombkoski to vice president of operations - Restaurants + Bars; and Elsie Florio to vice president of marketing. The Modus by PM Hotel Group promotions include Marco Burlimann to executive vice president of operations, lifestyle division; Kelli Martin to senior vice president, sales + revenue, lifestyle division; and Jonathan Porcello to vice president of operations, lifestyle division.

White Lodging names two execs. Merrillville, Indiana-based White Lodging has named Chris Anderson as executive vice president and CCO Chris Anderson has been promoted to COO. In addition, Joe Pagone has been promoted to senior vice president of operations. Anderson joined White Lodging in 2015 and previously spent seven years with Marcus Hotels & Resorts. He also worked at Marriott International. Pagone joined White Lodging in 2022 as a regional vice president and previously worked at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.