A number of hotels across the country—including two InterContinental-branded properties—have announced new general managers and property leaders in recent weeks. Here are some names to know.
Hotel Z
Staypineapple has appointed Amanda Sandoval GM of the Hotel Z in San Diego. She most recently was assistant general manager at the Dextro Hotel, Amanda has also held managerial roles at Hilton, DoubleTree and Homewood Suites. Amanda’s expertise in Rooms Division management is closely aligned with Staypineapple’s culture of exceptional guest service.
InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
The InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta appointed Manuel Deisen general manager. He has spent more than two decades with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company followed by six years with W Hotels. Deisen’s first general manager role was at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, marking the beginning of a dynamic leadership journey that would span major urban and resort destinations. He went on to lead both W Chicago properties simultaneously and most recently served as general manager of W Nashville, where his innovative leadership earned the hotel W Hotels Worldwide’s 2024 Guest Experience Hotel of the Year award.
Deisen has launched several notable hotels, including The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes; The Ritz-Carlton Tiburon in Naples; Germany’s first Ritz-Carlton; and the debut of the EDITION brand in Honolulu.
InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel
The InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel (known as The Barclay), owned by 111 East 48th Street Holdings and managed by IHG, has appointed Antoine Serhan as hotel manager.
Serhan most recently was cluster hotels manager at InterContinental and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, overseeing two properties and a team of more than 500, including five division heads. His past experience in New York City also includes leadership roles as director of front office at Millennium Broadway Hotel and front office manager at the New York Palace Hotel. He also held positions at Shangri-La, Jumeirah, and Address Hotels & Resorts across Asia and the Middle East.
The Luminary Hotel & Co.
The Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers, Fla., appointed Joseph “Joe” Shurmur as general manager.
Shurmur most recently was vice president of operations at Greenwood Hospitality and Hotel Equities. Before that, he held senior leadership roles as area director and general manager for several notable hotel brands. Over the course of his 20-plus year career, Shurmur has led properties within the Hilton, Omni, IHG, Hyatt and Wyndham brands, as well as independent hotels.
The Mining Exchange Hotel
Practice Hospitality has appointed Jana Smith general manager of The Mining Exchange Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs, Colo.
Smith’s experience includes leadership roles at properties like Brush Creek Ranch, St. Regis Deer Valley and the W Seattle. Most recently, she was general manager of The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in Denver.
The Newbury Boston
Highgate has promoted Robert Rouleau to general manager of The Newbury Boston in the city’s Back Bay. Rouleau has been the property’s hotel manager since 2023. Rouleau joined The Newbury Boston in 2021 as director of food and beverage, bringing more than two decades of hospitality experience to the property. He was then appointed hotel manager in 2023.
Previously, Rouleau held a range of senior leadership positions at The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows, where he managed a team of 250 while overseeing multiple dining venues, banquet operations and in-room dining. Before this, Rouleau held several other positions at The Beverly Hills Hotel, including assistant director of food & beverage, catering sales; director of restaurants; assistant director of food and beverage, f&b operations; director of the Cabana Café and Pool; Bar Nineteen12 Department Head; and beverage manager. A native of Massachusetts, Rouleau began his hospitality career behind the bar before moving into management roles at The Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego and Indigo Grill, a concept by chef Deborah Scott.
Staypineapple San Francisco
Staypineapple appointed Marc Farris GM of the Staypineapple San Francisco. He most recently was general manager at Hotel Spero, and previously held general manager roles with other notable brands including Hilton, Oxford Suites and Sheraton. He has a background in Food and Beverage management.
Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio
Chaitan Mugili has returned to the Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio as its new general manager, nearly two decades after working as front desk/housekeeping manager at the same property.
Over the course of his more than 20-year career, Mugili has held executive leadership roles with Marriott, Hyatt and Starwood Hotels. He currently serves as chairman of the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association and sits on the board of the San Antonio Visitor Alliance.
Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection
Auberge Resorts Collection appointed Vinod Narayan general manager of its Hudson Valley property, Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection.
Narayan joins Wildflower Farms following his most recent role as general manager of Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Before that, he was Resort Manager at Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection in Los Cabos and held senior leadership positions at Four Seasons properties across Asia, North America and Europe.