Darren Howard
Howard joins Suncadia as director of golf. He began his career in 1991 when he became a PGA Class A Professional. He grew in his experience at prestigious golf clubs across the nation, organizing and executing events on both local and national levels. At Suncadia, he will work to optimize golf optimizations across the destination and work with course superintendents to improve courses’ playability. In the coming year, he looks forward to developing new “Play and Stay” packages and course programming.
Samuel L. Thompson, III
Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) appoints Thompson as director of Indian Wells Tourism. He has enjoyed a robust hospitality career across various departments, including front office management, catering and remote sales. In 2015, he launched his own full-service event management agency, Sync Meeting Management. He is also committed to community service and working with nonprofit organizations throughout the Coachella Valley. In his new role, he will collaborate with the City of Indian Wells and local tourism partners to enhance awareness and drive visitation to the city.
Brian Mason
Mason joins CEMA as vice president, strategy and operations. He has been a CEMA member for a long time and formerly served as an Advisory Board member. He will now lead the CEMA team, working collaboratively with the CEMA Advisory Board to lead and execute the company’s vision and lead growth initiatives across brand marketing, new program development, events, membership growth and retention and ongoing community engagement.
Steve Janicek
Janicek is appointed to the role of managing director of the Omni Mount Washington Resort and Bretton Woods Ski Mountain. He brings nearly 30 years of hospitality experience, from which he will draw to drive the resort’s longtime mission of delivering unparalleled guest experiences in an energetic employee environment.
Misoon Kong
Kong takes on the role of general manager at Hilton Chicago. She is the first woman to hold the position in the property’s 97 years. She will oversee all aspects of hotel operations and provide leadership focused on delivering exceptional guest services and achieving strong financial success. Most recently, she served as complex general manager of Juniper Hotel Cupertino, Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose.
Alan Love
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) welcomes Love to the role of regional vice president of sales for the international market. Throughout his 30-year career, he has gained extensive experience in group sales and hospitality. He will work to enhance ALHI’s strategic plans for Europe as the company grows its international presence through developing strong client relationships and deepening existing relationships with international members.
Kerry Mitruska
The TradeWinds Island Resorts appoints Mitruska as director of sales and marketing. He will develop and lead new business opportunities as well as support prospective accounts and mentor and collaborate with sales team members. As a member of the executive team, he will maintain relationships with area visitor bureaus, travel agents, meeting planners and other travel trade industry representatives.
Ben Ly
Ly takes on the role of general manager at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa. He brings 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality and hospitality leadership from Hilton Hotels. Most recently, he served as general manager at award-winning Four Diamond Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach in Oxnard, California, where he spearheaded a resort rebranding and repositioning, overseeing an extensive property-wide renovation, commercial re-launch and the development and opening of new F&B outlets.
Juan Ayala
The Omni Homestead Resort welcomes Ayala as national sales manager. He began his career as a busboy at an Embassy Suites in southern California while earning a degree in business and marketing. He went on to hold pivotal sales manager positions at a wide variety of hospitality establishments, through which he has developed a strong understanding of sales strategies.
Scott Little
Little is appointed as managing director at Salamander Middleburg. He is an experienced executive, having held numerous leadership positions at the highest levels of the hospitality industry. He brings experience across many departments, including luxury destinations, community and investor relations, real estate development, preservation, finance and acquisition.
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