Officials of Five Star Group, a private commercial real estate investment, development and management firm focused on Southeastern hospitality projects, today announced that Kimberly Rowell has been named executive vice president of Five Star Hospitality Management.
Rowell joined the organization in February 2023 and has spent the past 20 months making a transformative impact, culminating in today’s formal announcement of her role.
With over 35 years of hospitality leadership, Rowell has worked for such leading industry organizations as Blackstone, Winegardner & Hammons, ZMC Hotels, HP Hotels while driving operational excellence across a diverse portfolio of Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Wyndham and Choice Hotels.
Her expertise spans operations, finance, accounting, revenue management, human resources, sales, marketing, quality control and franchise and owner relations.
A Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and Certified Hotel Owner (CHO), Rowell is a founding board member of the Extended Stay Lodging Association and an active advocate for Women Leading Hospitality.
Pendry Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine “Kati” Gregory as the new Director of Sales and Marketing of Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. Kati has recently relocated to Baltimore and will oversee all aspects of group and transient business, catering sales, meetings and events, as well as marketing and public relations for the iconic waterfront hotel.
With over 17 years of diverse experience in the hospitality industry, Kati brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to her new role. She began her career with Hilton, representing five Chicago hotels, and went on to lead the sales team for W Hotels Chicago, where she played a pivotal role in the transition from Starwood to Marriott. Kati later introduced Convene to the Chicago market as Area Director of Sales, guiding the team through the successful opening of four properties. Most recently, she served as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Thesis Hotel Miami in South Florida.
“Kati’s extensive background in sales leadership, combined with her strategic approach and passion for hospitality, make her the perfect fit for Sagamore Pendry Baltimore,” said Parag Athavale, General Manager at Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. “We’re excited to welcome her to the team as we continue to elevate our guest experience and expand our presence in the Baltimore market.”
Originally from California, Kati earned her degree in Communications and Public Relations with a minor in Hospitality from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. In her free time, Kati enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and supporting her favorite Chicago sports teams. She and her husband are raising three daughters, including a set of identical twins, and enjoy spending time with their two French Bulldogs.
For more information about Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, please visit https://www.pendry.com/baltimore or visit @sagamorependrybaltimore.
The Central Romana Corporation announces its appointment of Jason Kycek to Chief Marketing Officer of its Hospitality, Tourism, and Real Estate Division. In this new capacity, Kycek will oversee the corporation's brand, communication, and marketing strategies, while continuing his role as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas.
Since joining Casa de Campo in January 2017, Kycek has led the company to consecutive record-breaking sales years. He has facilitated the company's growth and overall sales as well as marketing and revenue strategies with a profound commitment to excellence, elevating the guest experience, and securing ongoing profitability for shareholders. Kycek has worked tirelessly to bring new and exciting offerings to the resort such as the new Premier Club & Suites, which sets a new standard for luxury accommodations in the Dominican Republic, the opening of a new state-of-the-art destination spa and wellness center, and the introduction of the annual Casa de Campo Food & Wine Festival, turning La Romana into a culinary hot spot in the Dominican Republic.
Kycek has also expanded the resort's network of trusted partners in several key areas such as transportation, golf, and apparel:
In the aviation realm, Kycek created the Casa de Campo private jet program, which provides guests the opportunity to fly private through Wheels Up, Vista Jet/XO, and Sentient Jet. Kycek's work has also ushered new flights into La Romana Airport by forging alliances with American Airlines. To better serve one of the resort's key markets in South Florida, Kycek developed a collaboration with Braman Motorcars to offer exclusive perks to their loyalty members and gain guests of the resort specialty access to the luxury dealership. He also facilitated the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover featuring Martha Stewart which became the publications most sold edition in history.
In the golf sector, Kycek has fostered several strategic partnerships to improve awareness and visibility for the resort's championship golf courses with partners such as Five Iron, Invited Clubs, and Thousand Greens, while also working with tech brands such as EA Sports and Golfzon/Trackman to get Casa de Campo golf courses added to their online programs.
Kycek has worked to add several new likeminded retail partners to the resort's shopping options, with recently added brands including Ala von Auersperg and Namoia.
Kycek has also rounded out the resort's events and programming offerings, bringing several new events to Casa de Campo such as Oktoberfest, Cigar & Rum Tasting Nights, Farmer's Markets, and art exhibitions.
Kycek brings over 15 years of executive experience as a global hotelier to this new role. Previously, Kycek served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Occidental Hotels and Resorts, overseeing the U.S. sales and marketing initiatives for the company's Caribbean, Mexican, and Latin American properties. Kycek spent the majority of his career with KSL Resorts in their La Quinta, CA corporate headquarters working with some of the greatest golf, spa, & historical hotels and resorts in the U.S. Kycek is a native of Wisconsin, where he earned his degree from the University of Wisconsin and his family still resides.
As Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage at Atlantis Paradise Island, Anthony Hannan brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Hannan has served as Director of Operations, Restaurants & Kitchens at Harrods London, Vice President Food & Beverage at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, and helmed operations at internationally acclaimed hotels and resorts including Crown City Melbourne, City of Dreams Manila, Resorts World Singapore, Raffles Singapore, and Fairmont Dubai, Peace Hotel Shanghai and Capella Sanya.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Tiffany Cooper as Head of Development, Americas. Tiffany will play a pivotal role in leading the development and investment initiatives for the Americas region, focusing on the important U.S. market, Canada, and Latin America for the Group.
With more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, operations and development, Tiffany brings exceptional industry insight and strategic expertise to Mandarin Oriental. Most recently, she served as Chief Development Officer for the Americas and Caribbean at Aimbridge Hospitality, where she led the development team in executing growth initiatives across the region.
Tiffany began her career with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in 1995, where she later advanced to Head of Development for North America and the Caribbean, playing a key role in expanding the brand through new hotel projects. She went on to hold leadership positions with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International, making significant contributions to the development and growth of several distinguished brands.
Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations from California State University, East Bay, and an MBA from Johnson & Wales University.
Commenting on the appointment, Francesco Cefalu, Chief Development Officer, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Tiffany to Mandarin Oriental. Her deep expertise and strategic approach perfectly complement our dedication to developing exceptional experiences. We are confident that Tiffany’s leadership will be a valuable asset as we drive our brand’s expansion throughout the Americas.”
This appointment emphasises Mandarin Oriental’s commitment to growth and excellence, with Tiffany set to play a key role in advancing the Group’s ambitions in the region.
The Cove Eleuthera is proud to announce the appointment of Nicholas Cooper and Sally Cooper to Managing Director and Resort Manager, respectively, of the Bahamian resort. Together, the duo brings over 30 years of management experience in tourism and hospitality.
Most recently at Gibbs Farm Safari Lodge in Tanzania, Sally and Nick, as co-general managers, oversaw this five-star resort with a working farm and coffee plantation. Prior to Gibbs, they worked in unison managing other luxury resorts on the Cook Islands in the South Pacific and in Belize.
For over a decade in Fiji, they held numerous leadership roles, including general managers for Fiji Residences, a luxury villa management company. Sally held various project management, event design and tourism positions, including National Director of Operations at Cure Kids Fiji and Director of Conferences & Events at Tourism Fiji. As owner of Ocean Charters Fiji, Nick organized exclusive sailing charters, managed operations for an online reservations service for South Pacific travel and was a marine and leisure manager at an island resort.
Prior to Fiji, the duo was based in Australia, where they honed their management skills in travel and tourism. Sally and Nick both hold Master’s Degrees in Tourism Management from University of Canberra, and Nick has an MBA from James Cook University (Australia).
The unique beauty of the Bahamas and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country’s rich culture attracted the Coopers to The Cove. Having met over 30 years ago as scuba instructors in Tahiti, the pair have developed an affinity for aquatic adventure and island life, which they are looking forward to reflecting in their work for The Cove.
“The soft white sand and clear waters of Eleuthera paired with the gentle rhythm of life that comes from living near the ocean entices us,” said Sally Cooper. “We are excited to learn more about The Bahamas and its people, culture and history.”
For more information about The Cove Eleuthera, please visit www.thecoveeleuthera.com or call (242) 335-5141. To engage with the resort socially, find us on Instagram at @thecove_eleuthera.
Le Sereno, the iconic luxury beachfront hotel in Saint Barthélemy, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tiphaine Lacombe as the new Hotel Manager. Lacombe brings a wealth of experience in luxury hospitality, with a career that has taken her from Australia to some of France’s most prestigious properties.
With an extensive background in hotel management, Lacombe’s career includes leadership roles at the prestigious Château de Berne***** Relais & Châteaux and Château de Sacy in Champagne, where she served as Director for over three years. More recently, she managed two luxury hotels for the Bombaron Group before taking on high-end experiences at Maisons Perrier-Jouët and Mumm in 2023.
In her new role at Le Sereno, Lacombe will prioritize operational excellence, team development, and strengthening the hotel’s positioning as ultra-luxury destination in Saint Barthélemy. She will also focus on maintaining the family-oriented culture that Sereno Hotels is renowned for, ensuring guests enjoy the brand’s signature relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
“I am thrilled to step into the role of General Manager at Le Sereno – Saint Barthélemy, a family-run property that truly embodies relaxed luxury,” expresses Lacombe. “This opportunity marks an exciting new chapter in my career, where I aim to uphold the destination’s renowned elegance and warmth in every detail.”
Luis Contreras, owner of Sereno Hotels, welcomed Tiphaine to the Sereno Hotels family, highlighting her expertise and leadership. “Tiphaine’s role will be pivotal in maintaining our high standards of service and delivering exceptional guest experiences,” noted Contreras. “At Sereno Hotels, we pride ourselves on partnering with top industry talent to uphold our core values of design, location, culinary excellence, and unparalleled service. Tiphaine will play a central role in continuing this legacy.”
Arlo Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand known for its vibrant designs and unparalleled guest experiences, is proud to announce the appointment of Jimmy Suh as the company president, effective immediately. Suh brings a wealth of knowledge and a visionary approach to leading Arlo Hotels into its next chapter of growth and success.
Suh steps into this position with over 20 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. His dynamic career has been marked by a series of executive roles at some of the most revered lifestyle hotel brands, including Kimpton, Loews, and The Standard hotels, where he envisioned and formed brand marketing, revenue, and guest experience strategies. In July 2021, Suh joined Arlo Hotels as its chief commercial officer, responsible for revenue maximization, profitability, marketing, brand value, public relations and stakeholders’ returns.
As Arlo Hotel’s chief commercial officer, Suh has continued his mark for performance excellence by creating forward-thinking, innovative programs to help establish Arlo as a recognized force in the lifestyle hotel space. His visions have led to some of the company’s most successful programs to date, which include the If You Arlo program, which turns social influencers into the next generation travel agent, and Arlo Means Business, an online marketplace for small to medium sized enterprises to enjoy the benefits traditionally reserved for Fortune 500 companies. In addition, Suh has guided his team to raise the hotels’ community value with elevated cultural and entertainment events for both locals and out-of-town guests to discover and enjoy.
In the past three years, Suh has been instrumental in launching three new Arlo hotels in Miami (Wynwood), Chicago and Williamsburg. As president, Jimmy Suh, will lead the next stage of company’s growth, overseeing the hotels operations and marketing, heightening guest experience, and maximizing the brand value for both guests and stakeholders, alike.
“We are thrilled to see Jimmy Suh take on the role of President at Arlo Hotels,” said Oleg Pavlov, founder of Arlo Hotels. “His exceptional work ethic, thoughtful and entrepreneurial approach to innovation, unwavering commitment to guest service excellence, while fostering a diverse and motivated workplace culture make him the ideal candidate to represent the brand and the company.”
Arlo Hotels currently operates six properties: four in New York City (Williamsburg, Midtown, NoMad and SoHo), one in Miami (Wynwood) and one in Chicago. Its seventh hotel, Arlo Washington DC, is slated to open on November 18. To learn more about the brand, book stays at any of the properties and stay up to date about upcoming openings, visit arlohotels.com And follow Arlo Hotels on Instagram at @arlohotels.
James Overbaugh, a seasoned executive with over 16 years of dedicated service to The Peninsula brand, returns to California, where his journey with the brand first began in 2008. Overbaugh brings extensive global hospitality expertise and a personal passion for the culinary realm to Carmel Valley's cherished destination. After serving as an Executive Chef at an esteemed collection of hotels for the first 13 years of his career, Overbaugh joined The Peninsula team in 2008 as the Executive Chef of The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Over the next nine years, he ascended to the role of Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage Operations.
After his tenure at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Overbaugh was elevated to leadership roles at The Peninsula Hong Kong and The Peninsula Shanghai, culminating in his most recent position as Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations for The Peninsula Hotels Worldwide at the brand's head office in Hong Kong. Under Overbaugh's leadership at The Quail, guests can expect an enhanced culinary experience at the Monterey County gem, while remaining true to the timeless California experience that has become synonymous with The Quail.
Arch Amenities Group, a full-service, global provider of wellness, amenity management and meeting services for commercial and residential properties, hotels, private clubs and pools, today announced the appointment of wellness and hospitality veteran Caitlin McKenna as chief executive officer.
BarryGoldstein, who served Arch as CEO for the past three years, has been appointed to the new position of chief commercial officer, responsible for business development and customer relationship management.
“Caitlin McKenna is a dynamic and respected leader known for her human-centric leadership, passion for service and innovation-driven growth,” said Steven Rudnitsky, Arch chairman. “Her mission is to accelerate Arch’s progress toward becoming the preeminent provider in the evolving service landscape.”
McKenna most recently was chief development officer for Trilogy Spa Holdings of Phoenix and global head of facilities management, wellness & experience services for JLL, a commercial real estate firm based in Chicago. She led JLL’s new global product function and developed strategy for a multibillion-dollar business offering experience services, design, wellness and facilities management to Fortune 500 clients.
From 2012 to 2019, McKenna served in a variety of leadership positions for Hilton Worldwide in McLean, Virginia, with a focus on brand management, investment and product development. Most recently, she was senior director of customer experience & innovation, where she led the development and operation of Hilton’s Innovation Gallery, a multimillion-dollar immersive showcase for media, executives and industry leaders. Earlier in her career, she held roles in real estate and hospitality consulting for HVS International.
McKenna earned her bachelor’s degree at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, New York, and continued her studies through Stanford University in California and Gallaudet University in Washington. She has lectured at Cornell University, Georgetown University in Washington and the University of Houston in Texas.
Director of Food and Beverage Jose Vargas joins Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole to lead the food and beverage operation, following his most recent appointment at Four Seasons Resort Lanai.
Originally from El Salvador, Vargas studied hospitality management at Les Roches International School of Hospitality Management in Bluche, Switzerland. His first appointment with Four Seasons was a college internship at Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica. From there, Vargas transitioned to Four Seasons Hotel Chicago as a manager in training in 2010, and subsequently worked in various food and beverage leadership roles at the brand's properties in Doha, Hualalai, Maui, Sense Lanai, and most recently, the beach resort at Lanai.
Acclaimed hospitality management company Enjoy Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Frederic Cappello as General Manager of the 121-suite El Mangroove, Autograph Collection, located within the Blue Zone of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula on the Gulf of Papagayo. With an impressive career spanning more than two decades in the luxury hospitality industry, Cappello brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences to his new role.
Frederic Cappello joins El Mangroove following a successful tenure as General Manager at El Silencio Lodge & Spa, a prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel in Costa Rica’s central highlands, where he was responsible for overseeing the operations of 26 suites and villas in a five-star luxury setting. His leadership and dedication to excellence earned him a reputation for fostering a culture of exceptional service and innovation.
Before his time at El Silencio, Cappello served as Resort Manager at Nayara Springs and Nayara Spa & Gardens, both Relais & Chateaux hotels in Costa Rica’s Arenal region. His extensive background also includes key roles as Food and Beverage Director at several top-tier luxury hotels and resorts across the globe, including Hyatt Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, Hotel La Samanna by Belmond, and Lux Belle Mare Island Resort.
Frederic Cappello is a graduate of the prestigious Hotel Management School, Vatel, in Nîmes, France, and is fluent in French, Spanish, and English. His commitment to delivering unparalleled guest experiences, along with his strong leadership skills, will be instrumental in continuing to enhance the unique offerings of El Mangroove.
