NATIONAL REPORT—Executives are making moves within the industry, with some hospitality companies promoting new leadership from within. Here’s a look at recent personnel shifts:
Dow Hotel Company Promotes Two From Within
Officials of The Dow Hotel Company (DHC) promoted Steve Griffin to EVP & CFO and Randall King to EVP & COO in recognition of their continuing leadership with the company.
“Having joined the Dow Company in 2001 and 2006 respectively, Randall and Steve have been instrumental in the growth and direction of this company,” said Murray L. Dow II, founder and president, DHC. “With nearly 50 combined years of hotel experience between them, they are well poised to help us achieve our aggressive growth goals as we look to expand our portfolio of upper-upscale, first class hotels throughout the United States. Their counsel has been invaluable, and I look forward to the direction we collectively take moving forward. With a current projected pipeline, 2019 looks to be a record year for us.”
RLH Corp. Names CFO
RLH Corporation has appointed Julie Shiflett as its CFO, EVP and treasurer. Shiflett returns to RLH after having been its CFO from 2010 to December 2014. Shiflett will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the company, including financial planning and analysis, accounting and reporting as well as managing the tax, internal audit, treasury and investor relations functions.
As principal of NorthWest CFO, an outsourced financial expert consultancy, Shiflett spent numerous years since December 2014 working with RLH Corporation as a financial consultant providing support as the company executed various strategic initiatives, including debt and equity capital raises and strategic platform acquisitions, including the Americas Best Value Inn and Knights Inn brands. She also executed the divestiture of the company’s entertainment and ticketing businesses as well as its hotels.
In addition, Gene Hagberg is now director of global sales following the retirement of Chuck Carter, who provided 30 years of service to the hotel company. Hagberg will lead RLH Corporation’s leisure business, which includes Wholesale FIT and group tour and travel, after 17 years with national park operator Delaware North.
MMGY Global Names President & COO
MMGY Global has named Katie Briscoe as president and Craig Compagnone as COO. Both longtime executives of the agency will help steer the global organization during a period of rapid growth and expansion. MMGY Global’s new global leadership team includes Katie Briscoe, President; Craig Compagnone, COO; Hugh McConnell, CFO; and Clayton Reid, CEO.
Hilton Grand Vacations Appoints VP of Asset and Relationship Management
Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. promoted Pam Fredel to VP, asset and relationship management. In her new role, Fredel helps HGV’s development team integrate resources and enhance its ability to execute key development strategies.
In her previous role as senior director, development, Fredel led efforts to source opportunities and evaluate new locations. Now, she and her team will manage projects from the moment an agreement is signed until the project is finalized.
Choice Hotels Taps Jason Simpson as VP of Engineering
Choice Hotels International Inc. revealed Jason Simpson has joined the company as VP of engineering. In this role, Simpson will lead the company’s corporate IT organization to support its ongoing business functions, including corporate operations, global sales, franchise services, finance and legal.
Simpson joins Choice Hotels with more than 25 years of industry experience. He has held key leadership positions at companies, such as GoDaddy Inc., was the chief technology officer for the state of Arizona, and, most recently, led the engineering team at a Phoenix-based start-up to develop API-based digital commerce experiences.
Virgin Hotels Names VP of Entertainment & Brand Partnerships
Virgin Hotels’ Blake Smith has been promoted from executive director of entertainment to VP of entertainment & brand partnerships.
Smith, who is based in Chicago, has overseen entertainment initiatives for the brand since 2014. Smith has booked more than 400 bands and musical acts to perform at Virgin Hotels Chicago’s two entertainment venues, Upstairs and Cerise, as well as organized partnerships and activations with renowned Chicago music festivals Pitchfork and Lollapalooza. Stepping into his new role, Smith will create brand-wide entertainment initiatives and partnerships to be implemented at new Virgin Hotels properties as the brand expands this year.
