US hospitality hires, promotions: Sonesta appoints co-CEOs

Read the latest roundup of U.S.-based hires and promotions in the hotel industry.

Goshow has been appointed as chief commercial officer at Loews Hotels & Co. Most recently, she served as chief commercial officer at Peregrine Hospitality Group (formerly KSL Resorts), where she was responsible for sales, revenue strategy and marketing.

Leer has been appointed as co-CEO of Sonesta International Hotels, effective April 1. Leer, a member of The RMR Group management committee, has held senior finance and accounting leadership roles within the organization since 2013, including most recently serving as the president and chief executive officer of AlerisLife Inc. since 2022.

Lorino has been appointed as executive vice president of operations at HHM Hotels. He most recently joined HHM Hotels from Sonder, where he shaped operational and commercial strategy as global head of operations.

Pierce has been appointed as co-CEO of Sonesta International Hotels, effective April 1. Pierce has been a member of Sonesta’s executive leadership team since 2021, where he has been instrumental in leading the significant expansion of Sonesta’s global franchising business.

Pedersen has been appointed as general manager of the Hotel Dax in Addison, Texas. He comes to Dreamscape Hospitality from Greenwood Village, Colorado, where he served as general manager of the Sheraton Denver Tech Center.

Plascencia has been appointed as general manager of the Hilton Arcadia Los Angeles in Los Angeles. He most recently served as general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Monterey Park, where he oversaw $20 million in annual revenue and achieved significant year-over-year gains in both rooms and food and beverage performance.

Rhead has been appointed as general manager of the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown in Phoenix. Most recently, Rhead served as vice president — owner franchise services for Marriott International, where he drove strong engagement with franchisees to enhance the guest experience and advance critical initiatives as leader of the operations and business support teams.

Houston has been appointed as director of sales and marketing at the Hotel Dax in Addison, Texas. She has worked with Omni Hotel & Resorts, where she was responsible for the success of business travel sales at all 45 properties, Kimpton Hotels and Hotel ZaZa in Dallas, where she achieved a 23% increase in occupancy during her four years as regional director of sales.

Lakes has been appointed as director of sales at Charlestowne Hotels. Her background spans senior revenue and operations roles, where she partnered closely with ownership groups, supported multiple openings and oversaw performance across a growing hotel portfolio.

Merryfield has been appointed as director of marketing, communications and partnerships for The Wall Street Hotel in New York City. Most recently, she held director of sales and marketing roles with Pendry Hotels & Resorts, overseeing both Pendry Natirar and Pendry Manhattan West.

Miller has been appointed as director of sales and marketing at the InterContinental Boston in Boston. He made his way back to InterContinental Boston in February 2020 as the assistant director of group sales. Since then, Miller has soared through the ranks of director of group sales and director of sales, where he has generated over $16.5 million in rooms and $15 million in banquet revenue annually and delivered millions in year over year growth revenue at the hotel.

Ozbardakci has been appointed as director of sales and marketing of the Hilton Arcadia Los Angeles in Los Angeles. She brings 17 years of global hospitality sales and marketing experience, most recently serving as director of sales and marketing at Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles-Monterey Park, where she led strategic sales initiatives, mentored a high-performing team and consistently exceeded revenue targets.

Alexander has been appointed as director of food and beverage of the Hotel Dax in Addison, Texas. With nearly three decades of dining experience in the hotel industry, he comes to Hotel Dax from the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.

Alford has been appointed as food and beverage director at the Crossroads Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. He brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience, from managing a small luxury hotel in Jackson Hole to supporting the bar program at seven-time James Beard Award-winning Commander’s Palace.

Buot has been appointed as director of food and beverage at Charlestowne Hotels. He brings more than 15 years of F&B leadership experience, including senior roles with Park Hyatt Chicago, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago and several Marriott- and Hilton-branded properties.

Ponsaty has been appointed as executive chef at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe in Rancho Santa Fe, California. He joins The Inn from Hotel del Coronado, where he served as executive sous chef since 2017, leading the acclaimed 1500 Ocean restaurant and contributing to the resort's broader culinary vision.

Chavez-Garcia has been appointed as executive chef of the Kimpton Everly Hollywood in Los Angeles. His career spans key roles at Spring Place Beverly Hills and San Vicente Bungalows, where he cultivated a reputation for thoughtful, elevated cuisine and a collaborative kitchen culture.

Manning has been appointed as director of operations at Charlestowne Hotels. He brings extensive experience across resort, lifestyle, urban and residential hotels, with time spent in senior leadership roles at Two Roads Hospitality and Interstate Hotels & Resorts.

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