This week has seen a number of executive moves in luxury DMCs and hotel distribution companies.
Travelive, a luxury destination management company that is a preferred supplier with Virtuoso, Signature, Altour and Ensemble, named Christina Carr its new vice president. In her new role Carr will be responsible for maintaining and solidifying agency relationships worldwide as the company looks to continue its growth. She has more than 13 years of experience in the luxury travel and hospitality industry, having held management positions including executive vice president of Nomad Hill and president of Four Corners Travel & Concierge.
RoomIt by CWT, the global hotel distribution division of CWT, appointed Jeff Zidell as senior vice president and customer experience officer and Ellen Zfaney as vice president, supply strategy and innovation. Zidell hails from startup CorePoint Lodging, where he served as senior vice president, asset management; prior to that, he spent nearly a decade with Hyatt, where he was senior vice president, loyalty marketing and partnerships. Zfaney joins RoomIt from Expedia, where she was head of global strategic partnerships for over three years. She also served as vice president, Americas partnerships at Orbitz Partner Network at Orbitz Worldwide for almost 11 years.
In hotel news, hotel management, acquisition and consulting company First Hospitality named Ray Nugent its director of renovations and facilities. Nugent has directed over $1 billion in governmental, commercial, and residential construction projects throughout his 25-year career, which includes time as director of facilities for Bellagio Resort Las Vegas. His new role will make him responsible for executing the company’s renovation program, property improvement plans, and new developments.
A number of individual properties also made new leadership appointments this week:
- The Drew Las Vegas, a new resort and casino in development on the Las Vegas Strip, named Bobby Baldwin its vice chairman and chief executive officer.
- Palácio Tangará, the Oetker Collection’s first hotel in South America, named Ana Luiza Masagão its head of sales and marketing.
- The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort named Kristen Whyly its resort manager.
Finally, in cruise news, retailer Starboard Cruise Services appointed Lisa Baldzicki its chief merchandising officer, responsible for managing the company’s corporate merchandising strategies and initiatives, including the development of product assortment; vendor relationships and sourcing; financial and business planning; pricing; retail execution; talent management and team development. Baldzicki most recently served as vice president of merchandise strategy, product development, planning and allocation at The Walt Disney Company, as well as in roles at L Brands at Victoria’s Secret and VF Corporation.
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