People on the Move at Kempinski, Radisson and OLS

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Hotel companies are making appointments across the globe. Here’s a look:

Kempinski Appoints Cusiter

Kempinski Hotels S.A. has appointed Ron Cusiter as VP, global sales and the Americas.

In this role, he leads and manages the global sales offices of the luxury brand in Europe, America, Asia and India. In addition, he will oversee sales and marketing for the company’s properties in the Americas and contribute to the strategy for existing and new hotel openings in that region.

He embarked on his senior career with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, where he ultimately held the position of VP sales and marketing operations, before he became VP, sales operations, Europe, Africa and the Middle East at Hyatt Hotels Corp. and, more recently, global VP, sales and marketing, for Como Hotels. Just before starting his newest role, he worked on various Kempinski projects around the globe, the latest being in Venice, Dubai and Dominica.

Radisson Hotel Group Adds New SVP Responsibilities in Europe

Radisson Hotel Group has added new geographical responsibilities for Area SVP for Central & Southern Europe (CESE) Yilmaz Yildirimlar, and Area SVP for Northern Europe Tom Flanagan Karttunen. They have added area SVP titles for Eastern Europe, Russia & Turkey (EERUT) and U.K., Ireland & Western Europe (UKIWE) respectively.

Both men, along with Tim Cordon, area SVP for Middle East & Africa, lead EMEA operations for Radisson Hotel Group.

Yildirimlar started his career with the group in Vienna in 1995 and has held several leadership positions at Radisson Blu hotels in Amsterdam; Manchester, England; and Bucharest, Romania. He has served as district director for South Eastern Europe and regional director in Eastern Europe, based in Moscow, until his appointment in 2017 as area SVP, Central & Southern Europe.

Flanagan Karttunen joined Radisson Hotel Group more than 20 years ago and has grown within the company, holding different leadership positions in numerous business areas at Radisson Blu hotels in Copenhagen, Denmark; Beijing; Manama, Bahrain; Hamburg, Germany; and Galway, Ireland. He has served as district director Turkey, Azerbaijan & China, based in Istanbul, before being appointed as area VP Eastern Europe & Russia, based in Moscow in 2009, and then Area SVP, Northern Europe.

OLS Hotels & Resorts Hires Standerfer

OLS Hotels & Resorts has named Brandon Standerfer as corporate director of distribution.

In this new role, Standerfer is responsible for the configuration, training and overall connectivity and functionality of all customer-facing distribution channels. He works closely with OLS’ revenue management team and technology partners to develop a data-driven strategy that expands distribution while enhancing the overall customer experience.

With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has worked on a variety of projects spanning across North America and Asia. Most recently, Standerfer served as senior director of distribution strategy and channel management at RLH Corporation. He also held positions in distribution at Two Roads Hospitality and Joie de Vivre.