INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Kempinski, Sbe, ALG and Outrigger are adding new leaders to their executive teams covering all areas of the world and a variety of responsibilities, from sales to IT to finance. Here’s a look:
Kempinski Adds to Leadership Roster
Kempinski Hotels has made a number of executive moves. Riko van Santen has been promoted to chief information officer/member of the management board. Since 2012, he served as VP of digital strategy and distribution at Kempinski Hotels.
In his new role, he oversees the company’s global IT, distribution, guest intelligence, as well as the digital technology. In order to optimize the delivery and integration of software applications and the exchange of data across multi-system environment for all commercial and operational enterprise solutions, his focus will be on architecting the strategic direction of the company’s technology and data infrastructure.
Prior to joining the company, van Santen oversaw 1,100 properties under seven brands ranging from budget to high-end luxury as VP of distribution and e-commerce at Louvre Hotels Group. He began his career gaining experience in the front office and revenue disciplines at the Hotel Okura Amsterdam, followed by revenue management, distribution, IT and digital marketing positions with Pegasus Solutions, NH Hotels and Golden Tulip Hotels.
Wilhelm K. Weber has been appointed as VP of global revenue and digital strategy. He oversees the luxury hotel group’s revenue management and digital strategy.
Most recently, Weber was managing partner at SHS Swiss Hospitality Solutions AG, consulting in commercial performance revenue management, eDistribution, digital marketing and innovation. In his career he has been on the board of directors of various hospitality related companies and hotels.
Janin Blaser has been named VP of brand development to further enhance and strengthen the Kempinski brand around the globe and to consistently translate the company’s mission and vision into its brand identity.
Blaser joins Kempinski Hotels from Wiethe Group GmbH. As head of business strategy and director content factory, she supported international fashion labels such as Hugo Boss, Adidas and G-Star in their brand, content and digitalization development strategies. Prior to her agency experience, she worked at MRP Consult GmbH as director brand development, developing brand strategies for hospitality companies such as Dorint Hotel Group.
Michael Sorgenfrey has been appointed VP operations, Middle East & Africa. He joins the company from his last position as managing director of RIMC Deutschland Hotels & Resorts, a consulting, development and operating company for the hotel industry in the areas of hotel management, refurbishment and marketing support. It is a subsidiary of RIMC International Hotels & Resorts GmbH. As managing director, he was responsible for the operational and strategic management of the 15 hotels in Germany.
Isidoro Geretto has been named VP of finance, Middle East & Africa, based in Dubai. He joins Kempinski from his most recent assignment as financial consultant with Barcli Hospitality Management. His career in hospitality and finance spans more than four decades. In 2013, Geretto became VP of finance and business support, Europe with FRHI Hotels & Resorts, including Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel Hotels.
Sbe Appoints Five
Sbe has expanded its executive team with the additions of Brad Hayden, VP, hotel finance; Javier Hortal, SVP, design and development, Middle East and Europe; Mark Eacott, VP, lifestyle design, Asia Pacific; Wayne Brown, culinary director, Asia Pacific; and Hector Kremer, feasibility manager, Middle East and Europe.
Hayden oversees and directs the finance operations of sbe’s growing portfolio of hotels and residences, as well as the restaurants and nightlife venues operating within the properties. His experience includes more than 30 years of hospitality finance leadership, ranging from on-property accounting functions, to the CFO of an independent, non-branded hotel management company, with more than 30 assets under management. His professional history includes more than 10 years with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, as well as tenure with Destination Hotels & Resorts, Benchmark Hospitality and Faena Hotels & Residences.
Hortal is joining the company after an 11-year career at luxury hotel group Mandarin Oriental, where he served as the group’s director of technical services in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He was responsible for the group’s new hotels, resorts residences and large-scale renovations across the region. Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental, he led the hospitality team at global architectural practice RTKL’s London office.
Eacott spent more than 17 years working in London, Singapore and Los Angeles with hotel designers and hospitality groups, including Philippe Starck (YOO), Soho House Group and Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA).
In his new role, he is responsible for directing projects for both sbe & Accor Lifestyle brands across Asia Pacific.
Brown has more than 15 years of experience working in the culinary scene. Most recently, he was appointed head of culinary operations for the Singapore-based Gypsy Chef Inc. by David Myers, where he led culinary research and development for four of the brand’s restaurant venues in Singapore, Japan and Dubai.
Kremer spent two years on the hotel valuation and advisory team of CBRE Hotels in London and Paris. In this position, he performed numerous valuations and advisory assignments on all types of hotel assets located in France and throughout Europe.
Apple Leisure Group Makes Executive Leadership Appointments
Apple Leisure Group (ALG) has appointed three executives to the company’s executive leadership team. Jacqueline Marks, Steve Dumaine and Ray Snisky will join ALG’s executive committee.
Marks, who joined ALG following the company’s merger with The Mark Travel Corporation (TMTC) in 2018, previously served as EVP of trade sales and engagement for ALG. She is currently an EVP and responsible for travel agent business.
Dumaine is the former president/CEO of CheapCaribbean.com and current EVP of ALG’s B2C-focused vacations brands.
Snisky is the current chief commercial officer of ALG Vacations and will continue to serve in this role with expanded oversight. Prior to the merger with ALG in May 2018, Snisky was responsible for strategic development to grow TMTC’s travel business, both domestically and internationally.
The company also announced the departure of John Hutchinson and Lynn Torrent, who will remain with ALG through the transition of the new executive committee members.
Outrigger Hospitality Group Adds Two
Outrigger Hospitality Group has added Julie Burbine as senior director, human resources, and Ryan Sanada, assistant general counsel, to its corporate team.
In her new position, Burbine provides proactive, responsive and professional HR consultation and business partnership to Outrigger’s two beachfront properties in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii: Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, while also leading the strategic and operational direction for benefits, compensation, HR policies and compliance with federal/state laws and regulations for the State of Hawaii.
Previously, Burbine was HRIS product and solutions manager at ProService Hawaii. Prior to this she was field training leader/store director for Office Depot Inc., supporting 25 stores in Hawaii and California as well as the store and HR executive team leader for Target Corporation in California.
In his new role, Sanada reports directly to Outrigger’s general counsel, assisting with all legal and related aspects of the company, including providing effective advice on labor and employment law, general commercial transactions and company compliance.
Most recently, Sanada served as director of legal and government affairs as well as assistant general counsel at the Hawaii Employers Counsel. He was previously an attorney with the law firm Imanaka Kudo & Fujimoto, a legal consultant and team leader for the House Labor Committee at the Hawaii State Legislature and a deputy prosecuting attorney for the City and County of Honolulu.