Hotel executive moves: Hotel Equities, SH Hotels, Stonebridge

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

Cycas adds two execs. Amsterdam-based Cycas Hospitality has promoted two members of its development and feasibility team. Craig Patterson becomes chief development officer and Jeroen Steensma is promoted to director of feasibility & development. Patterson was previously vice president of development & property for Cycas and also worked for Westmont Hospitality Group and IHG Hotels & Resorts. Steensma joined the company in 2021 and was most recently manager of feasibility & development. He previously worked for Colliers.

Explora Journey hires hotel vet. Geneva-based Explora Journeys has hired Anna Nash to serve as the president of the luxury cruise line. Nash joins Explora from the luxury hotel chain Aman, where she was chief commercial officer. She worked for 10 years with Aman and previously worked at Rosewood Hotels and Orient-Express. Her hiring comes six months after Michael Ungerer stepped down as CEO of Explora Journeys in March.

New VP for Hotel Equities. Alpharetta, Georgia-based Hotel Equities has named Kevin Kragnes as vice president of capital services. Kragnes originally joined HE in 2023 as part of its strategic partnership with Fargo, North Dakota-based National Hospitality Services and has more than 30 years of experience in banking and finance.

New exec at Preston Hollow. Dallas-based Preston Hollow Community Capital has named Elie Khoury as managing director – hotel assets, effective July 1. Khoury has over 34 years of extensive operational experience in the hotel industry and was most recently managing director of MAM Hospitality Asset Management and Consulting. He also worked at Aimbridge Hospitality and Interstate Hotels & Resorts.

SH Hotels adds executive. Miami-based SH Hotels & Resorts has appointed Jonathan Heath as executive vice president, food & beverage and hotel operations. He was most recently corporate head, food & beverage at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, where he managed operations and pre-openings across 20 countries. He also worked at F10 Creative and held senior roles at W Hotels, ACE Hotel, Viceroy Hotel Group and Soho House UK.

Stonebridge promotes SVP. Denver-based Stonebridge Companies has promoted Chris Cheney to senior vice president, commercial services. Cheney joined the company in 2007 and served as a GM at multiple assets before joining the corporate team in 2011 as director of revenue management.

Zeal Hotels adds ESG exec. London-based Zeal Hotels has added hotel sector veteran John Wagner as a non-executive director. Wagner will support the team as they develop the net zero carbon Zeal Hotel brand and help to promote ESG collaboration within the hospitality industry. Wagner was most recently co-founder and CEO of Cycas Hospitality and also worked for IHG Hotels & Resorts.