BW Names New Chairman; Apple Hospitality REIT CFO Steps Down; More…

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Best Western has named its new chairman of the board, while the recent shake-ups in hospitality sector C-suites continues as Apple Hospitality REIT’s CFO has stepped down. Here’s a look:

Kwong Named New Chairman at Best Western

The board of directors at Best Western Hotels & Resorts has elected Peter Kwong as board chairman for 2020.

Kwong, who previously served as vice chairman of the board of directors, brings 35 years of hospitality experience and 25 years of Best Western ownership to his role as chairman.

During his time as a Best Western owner, he has served as a governor for the company, as well as a member of the district VI marketing co-op and the Best Western reservation technology committee. In 2015, Kwong was elected to the board of directors to represent the interests of hotel owners in District 6, which includes California, Nevada and Hawaii.

Apple Hospitality REIT CFO Steps Down

Rachael Rothman, EVP/CFO, Apple Hospitality REIT Inc., has resigned from the company.

The company’s board of directors appointed Bryan Peery, its EVP/chief accounting officer, to fill the position. He previously served as EVP/CFO, from the company’s inception in 2007 until June 30, 2019.

In March, Peery informed the company of his intention to retire from his positions in the first quarter of 2020; however, he has agreed to remain with the company, as necessary, beyond March 2020 to provide for an orderly transition of his responsibilities.

Rothman’s resignation is not due to any disagreement with the company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices.

Dream Hotel Group Promotes Randy Taormina

Dream Hotel Group has promoted Randy Taormina to VP of operations.

In this role, Taormina is responsible for leading the operations and life cycles of two flagship Dream Hotel Group properties—Dream Downtown in New York, and Dream Nashville in Tennessee, which opened its doors earlier this year, as well as other Dream Hotel Group locations portfolio-wide.

Most recently, he served as area managing director, Dream Hotels, in New York City, where he was responsible for the day-to-day management of Dream Downtown and executive oversight of Dream Midtown.

Prior to joining Dream Hotel Group, Taormina spent six years with Highgate Hotels in Miami and New York City, where he most recently served as general manager at the Refinery Hotel in New York City and area managing director in Miami for Highgate’s lifestyle portfolio.

Taormina also spent eight years with Lodgian Inc., where he served as general manager of multiple properties in Dallas, Phoenix, Denver and Pittsburgh, all under established hotel brands Marriott, Hilton and IHG.

Kleffner Appointed at Kempinski Hotels

Kempinski Hotels S.A. has appointed Marcel Kleffner as VP, finance, Europe, based at the company’s corporate office in Geneva.

In his new role, he oversees the financial performance of the European hotel portfolio of Kempinski. He has held various positions in the hospitality industry in the last 20 years. He started his career in 1998 at the Crowne Plaza in Heidelberg, Germany, as accounts receivable clerk, followed by accounts payable, cost controller and subsequently as assistant financial controller. He joined Swissôtel Düsseldorf/ Neuss in 2001 as assistant financial controller, and was promoted to financial controller in 2004.

In 2007, he transferred to the corporate office of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts and continuously worked up his ranks at FRHI Hotels & Resorts (Swissôtel, Raffles and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts). He joins Kempinski Hotels from his most recent employment with Accor where he held the position of director finance & business support luxury brands Europe since 2017.

Red Roof Adds Dale Prout Franchise Development Team

Red Roof has added Dale Prout to its franchise development team as a franchise development director.

Serving the Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana regions, he will facilitate the growth of the Red Roof Inn, Red Roof Plus and HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof brands in these markets.

Prout comes to Red Roof from Choice Hotels International where he was responsible for the franchise sales of two hotel brands in California and Nevada, creating relationships with key strategic partners, hotel owners and hotel associations and managing the entire franchise sales process. Previously, at Wyndham Hotel Group, he grew the franchise business in Northern California and Northern Nevada.

Torai Named COO of Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos

Joshua Torai, a 16-year luxury hospitality industry veteran, has been named COO of Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos.

Torai, who is responsible for the overall operations of the Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos portfolio domestically and abroad, joined the company from Wymara Resort & Villas.

He has held executive management positions with The Dorchester Collection, The Fullerton Hotel and The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Atlantis Resorts, One & Only Resorts, Constance Hotels & Resorts, Aman Resorts, Alila Hotels & Resorts, Zemi Beach House, and a number of the Caribbean’s luxury brands.