In his role, Billy will oversee all operational aspects of Vernick Fish, including the restaurant’s service expansion to seven nights a week beginning July 21, 2024.With more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Billy brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to Vernick Fish.Prior to joining Vernick Fish, Billy held key management positions at several acclaimed restaurants, where he distinguished himself through his commitment to quality, creativity, and guest satisfaction.Most recently, Billy served as general manager of Mirabella, a new restaurant concept by Michelin-star Chef Michael White located inside Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Prior to that, he led the opening of Groot Hospitality’s The Key Club and The Goodtime Hotel. With experience in top metropolitan cities including New York and Los Angeles, Billy is excited to return home to his roots in Philadelphia.
Crescent Hotels & Resorts appointed Paul Bushman as its new senior vice president of technology and enterprise solutions. The award-winning operator of hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Canada says this strategic hire highlights the company's dedication to advancing its technological capabilities and delivering cutting-edge enterprise solutions in the hospitality industry.
An accomplished leader in the information technology space, Bushman is expected to play a crucial role in driving technological innovation at Crescent. He comes with a proven track record of leading departments and delivering innovative, cost-effective enterprise-wide business intelligence platforms and other applications. Bushman notably spearheaded the design, development, and innovation of an industry-leading web-based business intelligence platform used by over 1,400 hotels for reporting and planning needs.
Prior to joining Crescent, Bushman was senior vice president, enterprise solutions at Aimbridge Hospitality. There, he directed all aspects of team building, planning, budgeting, forecasting, and also managed services, vendor management, and offshore development to create value and efficiencies for business partners. Before Aimbridge, Bushman held a nearly 20-year position as senior vice president of IT Business Solutions and Innovation at Interstate Hotels & Resorts. He's also worked at MeriStar Hotels & Resorts and CapStar Hotel Company.
"As a company already at the forefront of innovation and technology, and dedicated to continuous enhancements, Paul's extensive experience and visionary approach will further our capabilities," added Rob Smith, Crescent's president, chief financial officer of finance & corporate services. "In the ever-evolving hospitality technology industry, his leadership will strengthen our commitment to system advancements and maintain our position as a leader in technological excellence."
Pendry Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of Derek Lescrinier as the General Manager of Pendry Natirar. Lescrinier brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in luxury hospitality to the resort, set to open fall 2024.
Pendry Natirar is set to redefine the country estate experience with its grand Tudor-style architecture, 66 guest rooms and suites, 24 contemporary countryside Pendry Residences, and an array of amenities including the acclaimed Ninety Acres restaurant, Spa Pendry, and extensive outdoor activities.
Derek Lescrinier joins Pendry Natirar from Montage International, where he served as Corporate Director of Rooms, overseeing 15 properties across both the Montage and Pendry brands. During his tenure, he was instrumental in updating room brand standards, enhancing communication across properties, revamping the pre-arrival process and more. Prior to Montage International, Lescrinier spent over a decade at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Resort in various roles including Vice President of Rooms. Lescrinier’s impressive career also includes key roles at The Ritz-Carlton properties in Lake Tahoe and Lake Las Vegas, where he was a vital part of pre-opening teams and played a significant role in housekeeping and guest services management.
“We are delighted to appoint Derek Lescrinier to his new role at Pendry Natirar,” said Jason Herthel, president and chief operating officer, Montage International. “His knowledge of the Pendry brand and his extensive experience and commitment to exceptional service align perfectly with our vision for the resort.”
Derek graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a B.S. in Hotel Management and a concentration in Casino & Gaming.
For more information about Pendry Natirar, please visit www.pendry.com/natirar
Harrah’s Resort Southern California is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef John Silva as Executive Chef of Hell’s Kitchen. In this role, Chef John will oversee daily culinary operations for the first and only Hell’s Kitchen in California. With close to two decades of experience in the industry and a long-standing background in destinations across the region, Chef John will be a tremendous asset as Hell’s Kitchen at Harrah’s Resort Southern California continues to evolve.
“I am honored to be leading the Hell’s Kitchen team at Harrah’s Resort Southern California,” said Chef John. “Having worked in several esteemed kitchens throughout San Diego, I look forward to exemplifying the famed Hell’s Kitchen passion and commitment to excellence in every plate.”
A San Diego native, Chef John spent his childhood immersed in the kitchen of his family’s Mexican restaurant, Las Parrillas Mexican Food. This early exposure to the world of food ignited a lifelong passion, leading him to nearly 20 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, where he has showcased his talents at local casinos and upscale country clubs. Prior to joining the Hell’s Kitchen at Harrah’s Resort SoCal, he served as Chef De Cuisine at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, and then served as Executive Chef at Lake Arrowhead Yacht & Country Club.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Chef John as the Executive Chef of Hell’s Kitchen at Harrah’s Resort SoCal,” said Jill Barrett, Senior Vice President and General Manager. “We are confident that under his leadership, Hell’s Kitchen will continue to set the standard for exceptional dining experiences in Southern California.”
A natural-born leader with a passion for food, Chef John aspires to emulate the high standards set by world renowned, multi Michelin star Chef Gordon Ramsay, building and mentoring a talented team. While San Diego has always been home, he’s lived around the world, including places such as New York, Chicago, and Mexico. When not in the kitchen, he finds joy in playing the drums, expanding his cookbook collection, experimenting with new recipes, and immersing himself in food research.
For more on Harrah’s Resort Southern California and Hell’s Kitchen, please visit www.harrahssocal.com.
AutoCamp, a pioneering brand in the hospitality industry known for revolutionizing outdoor travel, is excited to share the news that the brand has recently brought on Bryan Terzi as the new Chief Marketing Officer.
Bryan comes to AutoCamp following a successful career leading urban hospitality brands, and is eager to direct his expertise toward promoting wellness and advocating for the benefits of outdoor travel.
He looks forward to spearheading the ongoing expansion of AutoCamp and enhancing the outdoor hospitality experience.
Bryan Terzi is the new Chief Marketing Officer at AutoCamp, a pioneering brand in the hospitality industry known for revolutionizing outdoor travel. With over two decades of global marketing expertise, Terzi has lead multiple renowned hospitality brands across an array of disciplines. In his previous role as Group Vice President of Marketing at Sage Hospitality, a leading hotel and restaurant management company.
J.MAK HOSPITALITY announces the addition of Joao Donadel to its sales team, to enhance its reach to travel advisors across North America, particularly on the West Coast of the U.S., and to support its global portfolio of partners.
Donadel, who will be known as "J.WOW," joins J.MAK with a passion for luxury travel, and experience gained traveling to 52 countries and speaking 5 languages. In 2020, Donadel moved to LA from his native Brazil to become a pilot and attend pilot training but soon after he discovered a calling for luxury travel. He is an affiliate and ambassador at Embark Beyond and he is proud to expand his influence and dedication as a hospitality personality with J.MAK HOSPITALITY.
Following 30 years of executive leadership for the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Americas, HSMAI Foundation and HSMAI Global, the organization is announcing the retirement of President and CEO, Bob Gilbert. A cherished and admired leader in the global hospitality industry, Gilbert has accelerated his retirement plan as a result of a serious health issue.
“It is with the utmost respect that we announce today the retirement of Bob Gilbert from his role of President and CEO of HSMAI,” said Andrew Rubinacci, CHSP, HSMAI Americas chair and chief advisory officer at FLYR Hospitality. “Bob has been a mentor and friend to so many of us in the industry and has taken the association to new heights over the course of his incredible 30-year tenure, expanding HSMAI across the globe. The association will benefit from his leadership for many years to come.”
Gilbert reflected, “I want to express my appreciation for my years at the association, the deep partnerships built with so many of you, and the trust you placed in me to help guide the organization to truly impact sales, marketing, and revenue optimization in the hospitality industry. The hospitality field has always proven its vitality and resilience, evolving with the world’s changes no matter how quickly those changes have happened. We’ve adapted through events like 9/11 and the pandemic and emerged stronger than ever before.” He added, “In the last year alone, we unveiled HSMAI’s first ever Commercial Strategy Conference, continued the coalition building with other industry organizations like AHLA, HFTP, HEDNA, and more, and launched HSMAI’s Century Campaign to celebrate HSMAI’s 100-year anniversary in 2027 and ensure it is here for members and the industry for 100 more. I owe a debt of gratitude to all of the industry leaders who have served as volunteer leaders for the organization, and a staff of dedicated professionals who have implemented their vision.”
A trailblazer in the hospitality industry for his advancement of the association, Gilbert brought HSMAI’s regions across the globe under the umbrella of HSMAI Global in 2002 and introduced organizational membership in 2018. During his time as president and CEO, HSMAI launched many new chapters in the Americas, including Brazil and Puerto Rico, and formalized Europe as an HSMAI Region, in addition to the formation of global regions, including Asia Pacific (2003), the Middle East (2008), and development of Latin America (2023).
Gilbert spearheaded the creation and exponential growth of HSMAI’s Strategy Conferences, implementing special interest groups that developed spaces for those in sales, marketing, and revenue management to learn, network, and advance in their careers. Following the success of the digital marketing and resort marketing strategy conferences Gilbert led the introduction of revenue management as a discipline in 2003 with the launch of the HSMAI Revenue Management Strategy Conference, which ultimately evolved into uniting the sales, marketing, and revenue disciplines into what is now known as “commercial” in 2024. During Gilbert’s tenure, HSMAI also introduced the Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) certification, the Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM) certification, the Certified Hotel Business Acumen (CHBA) certification, and the newly launched Certified Hotel Sales Leader (CHSL) certification. Many commercial strategists who began their careers learning from HSMAI’s conferences and educational resources now serve as mentors for the new generation of hospitality professionals.
During his leadership, Gilbert carried HSMAI through historic events that significantly impacted the hospitality industry, including the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the 2008 recession, and the Covid-19 pandemic. HSMAI served as a unifier immediately following 9/11 with the first industry conference held in New York to bring leaders together to begin charting a course forward. He ensured that the association answered the industry’s need for guidance through groundbreaking research studies, expert-led conferences, industry-leading certifications, and strategic educational resources. In each instance, he streamlined the association so that HSMAI emerged stronger than before.
Gilbert focused the HSMAI Foundation’s mission on talent attraction, growth, and retention. Last year, Gilbert proudly launched the HSMAI Foundation’s Century Campaign to generate awareness around the organization’s origins, highlight its positive impact on the hospitality industry, and showcase HSMAI’s plans for the future. Donations to the Century Campaign will be used to grow and support the industry’s next generation, continue to enhance membership benefits and create more opportunity for tomorrow’s innovators.
HSMAI’s Leadership TransitionWhile Gilbert is on medical leave, HSMAI Senior Vice President, Juli Jones, CAE, will serve as interim managing director for HSMAI as the association commences the search process, led by SearchWide Global and supported by HSMAI’s association management company MCI, to appoint the next president and CEO. MCI Associate Vice President and HSMAI Content Director, Kristin Miodonski, will serve as interim managing director for the HSMAI Foundation.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown announces David Cron as general manager. The 188-room hotel, owned and managed by Parks Hospitality Group, opened earlier this year alongside two onsite dining concepts, E’Terie and Soprana Rooftop Cucina.
“David Cron will be an excellent addition to this team,” said Jack Benton, director of sales at Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown. “He is an award-winning general manager with more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the property.”
Conveniently located in the heart of the city, Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown offers sweeping views of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. As the only full-service, all-suites property in downtown Asheville, the newly constructed hotel features 188 guest suites designed to provide the comforts of home, with separate bedroom and living areas. Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown features a business center, onsite parking, a year-round indoor pool and a modern fitness center with premium equipment, plus two distinct food and beverage outlets. Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown also brings more than 7,000 square feet of new event space to the city, making it a premier destination for weddings, events and meetings.
“I’m eager to begin this new opportunity and to continue the incredible work that the Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown team started,” said Cron. “By delivering outstanding customer service and guest satisfaction, I hope to make Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown a leader in Asheville hospitality and amongst Hilton brands.”
Prior to joining Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown, Cron opened and managed several Hilton-branded properties – many of which are within North Carolina. Most recently, Cron served as dual general manager for the Home2 and Homewood Suites in Orlando, Florida. Cron consistently achieved record-high quality assurance inspections and improvements to hotel satisfaction and loyalty tracking scores. Dedicated to supporting his local community, Cron assisted his team in volunteering with local organizations including Orange County Animal Services.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.
For more information or to make reservations, please visit Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown, email asheville@parkshotels.com or call +1 (828) 407-0422.
Read more about Embassy Suites by Hilton at stories.hilton.com.
Joining The St. Regis Atlanta team with over two decades of hospitality management experience, Gorina oversees all day-to-day hotel operations ensuring the reflection of The St. Regis brand's world class service and traditions. His responsibilities include driving innovation, promoting business growth and establishing strong internal communication between teams aiming for high employee satisfaction.
Gorina is native to Spain and throughout his childhood would make visits to a prestigious hotel owned by his grandmother, which inspired him to embark on his hospitality career at the age of 16 as a busboy in the restaurant business. He went on her earn his Upper Professional degree in Tourism and Hospitality from At Lluisa Cura in Barcelona, which equipped him with invaluable industry knowledge, customer service proficiency and a deep understanding of operations and revenue management. Throughout his professional career thus far, Gorina has held significant roles within Marriott International, being named Leader of the Year on multiple occasions, including leading the Rooms Division, Guest Experiences and Housekeeping at select Ritz-Carlton properties and overseeing openings with EDITION Hotels. He remains actively involved in LGBTQ+|ONE Associate Resource Group by Marriott, reflecting his commitment to inclusive leadership.
The Ritz-Carlton, Turks and Caicos welcomes Louella Brezovar-van Veen as the new general manager of the luxury Caribbean hotel. With an esteemed career across various markets and spanning more than 30 years in hospitality, Brezovar-van Veen will oversee the operations for the 147-room oceanfront resort with 69 residences, located directly on the iconic Grace Bay beach.
Brezovar-van Veen’s extensive career in hospitality has taken her from her island roots to properties in the United States and across the Caribbean. During the past seven years, Louella has operated as the Hotel Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba where she has successfully led renovations as the only luxury-branded hotel on the island. Under her guidance, the property has experienced significant revenue and ADR growth along with stellar employee engagement results among other achievements.
“I am honored to assume leadership at The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos and lead a talented team, enhancing operational and commercial performance whilst creating a sublime experience for the most discerning traveler,” said Brezovar-van Veen. "I look forward to writing a new chapter and welcoming travelers from around the world, while showcasing everything that makes the resort so very special, along with the exceptional service from our Ladies and Gentlemen.”
Having destination focused experience in luxury hotels with The Ritz-Carlton brand assertively positions Brezovar-van Veen to take the helm of this luxury resort in an unapparelled destination.
Celebrated as a Caribbean gem, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos stands out for its natural beauty and is a top destination for leisure travelers. The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos will continue to be the prime choice for luxury seekers under Brezovar-van Veen’s established guidance.
The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos boasts an exclusive stunning site on Grace Bay, and is only minutes away from local boutiques, cultural offerings, and dining venues. Aside from the oceanfront location, the property offers a wide range of amenities, from the signature Ritz-Carlton Spa to its very own Lady Grace Catamaran, and The Casino at The Ritz-Carlton Turks & Caicos. Guests can also enjoy culinary offerings from BLT Steak, Coralli, Noori and Casa Nonna New York.
