Execs on the Move: True North, Palladium, HVS, Nelson; More…

NATIONAL REPORT—Hospitality companies are bolstering their leadership rosters. Here’s a look at recent personnel news.

Leadership Changes at True North Hotel Group

The board of directors of True North Hotel Group unveiled the following leadership title changes: Lewis (Lew) Wiens has shifted from chairman and CEO to chairman; Richard (Dick) Merkel, formerly president and COO, is now CEO; and Bradley (Brad) Wiens, formerly EVP and chief development officer, is now president and chief development officer of the hotel management and development company that was originally established as a construction company by Lew Wiens in 1996.

Citing the title changes as “a step in the evolving management posturing for the continuing growth of True North Hotel Group,” Wiens noted that the team of three will continue to lead the company through its trend of broadening brands and wider distribution.

Palladium Hotel Group Appoints President & CEO

Palladium Hotel Group is celebrating its 50th anniversary and has named Abel Matutes Prats as president and Jesús Sobrino as CEO.

After 50 years of experience in the tourism sector, Grupo Empresas Matutes is reforming its organizational structure to adapt to today’s model of separation between the management and real estate assets and the hotel operator.

Carmen Matutes Prats will now hold Sobrino’s previous position of deputy general manager. Abel Matutes Juan, founder and president of the company since its inception, will maintain the presidency of the hotel brand’s holding company Grupo Empresas Matutes.

HVS Executive Search Names SVP

HVS Executive Search has appointed Glenn Skolnick as SVP. He will be based in New York.

Skolnick brings more than 20 years of experience at top-tier investment banks where he was a leading revenue producer, according to the company. He worked closely raising capital for and analyzing both major public companies and smaller private companies including the real estate, restaurant, gaming, lodging and leisure sectors.

Skolnick’s clients included global asset managers, hedge funds and real estate funds. He played an integral role in advising senior managers and their investors on existing investments as well as proposing new investments.

Nelson Appoints SVP, Northeast Regional Leader

Accredited designer Brian Tolman has joined Nelson Worldwide as SVP, Northeast region lead. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in workplace and hospitality interiors and building practices, Tolman will lead the multidisciplinary team to champion a new wave of design as the firm expands.

Tolman’s devotion to design excellence, coupled with his strong leadership skills, will enable him to usher Nelson’s Northeast offices—which include New York, Boston, and Philadelphia —into a new era of design and innovation, according to the company. Nelson’s recent and upcoming projects in the northeast include the NoMad Tower and the New York Life Social Space and Conference Center in Midtown Manhattan, and the W/Element brand hotel opening in Philadelphia later this spring.

Personnel Shifts at Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment

Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) has named Nick Gilham as director of social media. He will oversee Mohegan’s social strategy, marketing, content, monitoring and operations for all MGE properties.

In addition, Dana Lambersky has been promoted to director of convention services for Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, where she will play a new and vital role in the planning and organization of the growing calendar of meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions at Mohegan Sun.

Gilham spent the first 10 years of his career working in information technology for companies such as AT&T. After receiving his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, he shifted gears and followed his passion for digital marketing. By 2015, Gilham would be named marketing manager for LensCrafters’ social media division where he oversaw social strategy for platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Most recently, Gilham served as senior social media strategist and brand strategist for Stanley Black & Decker.

Dana Lambersky began her career at Mohegan Sun in 2001 as convention services manager, where she facilitated the key objectives of groups, including corporate, association, consumer shows, B2B trade shows, special events and fundraisers for large capacities in a variety of event spaces. Within her responsibilities was coordinating and organizing all group requirements, including but not limited to food and beverage, hotel accommodations, travel, audio/visual, banquet room sets, event diagrams, entertainment, IT, ticket sales, tenting, security, billing and recreation.