A new year has started, and new GMs are leading hotels across North America. Here are some names to know.
AC Hotel Chicago Downtown
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, an owner and management company and division of The Marcus Corporation, appointed Kay Washington general manager of the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown. Washington has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
Most recently, Washington was general manager of the Ivy Hotel Chicago, where she oversaw operations, brand implementation and sales strategy for the boutique downtown property. Before her time at the Ivy Hotel Chicago, Washington held management and operations roles at several Marriott International properties including Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower, Seattle Marriott Waterfront and Renaissance Seattle Hotel.
A native of the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago, Washington studied business administration at Harold Washington College and Chicago State University. She also holds a certificate in hotel financial statements & labor productivity from the Hotel Accounting Institute, and taught Hospitality Management as an Adjunct Instructor for Kendall College in Downtown Chicago. Washington currently serves on the board of directors for the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association.
AC Hotel Pasadena
AC Hotel Pasadena, the 194-room new-build property set to debut in February, appointed Ben Spaulding general manager.
Spaulding has held key leadership roles at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar and Fairmont Copley Plaza. He also worked at Loews Hotels & Co.
Atlantis Paradise Island
In the Bahamas, Atlantis Paradise Island appointed Eric Segreti as the new general manager of The Cove.
Segreti has more than 15 years of hospitality experience, having held leadership positions at properties in New York and Florida. Most recently, he was vice president of rooms at Fontainebleau in Miami Beach. He held key roles at The Peninsula New York, Mandarin Oriental New York, The Setai Miami Beach and 1 Hotel South Beach, Fla.
A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Segreti also completed the general managers program at Cornell.
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club appointed Petra Trapp as the new general manager of Merrywing Beach.
With more than 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Trapp’s career began in Rome as a guest relations manager for a tour operator, and since then, she has held key roles in several hotels. These include Leading Hotels of the World properties such as Laucala Private Island, Kanuhura Island & Spa, the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and the Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz.
Originally from a small village in Germany, Trapp is fluent in German, English, Italian, and French, with additional proficiency in Spanish.
Bode Nashville
Laura Horner is the new general manager of Bode Nashville, TMC Hospitality’s first property. In her new role, Horner will oversee the 111 key property as well as the two F&B concepts onsite, Dawn Cafe and Sidebar.
Horner most recently was director of operations at Waymore’s Guest House & Casual Club in Nashville. During her professional career, Horner has held positions for the city of Nashville for more than 10 years.
Hotel Drover
Exchange Hotels Management appointed Aaron Ide general manager of Hotel Drover, an Autograph Collection hotel in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards in Texas.
Before joining Hotel Drover, Ide held the position of general manager at Thompson Dallas, where he skillfully led the hotel team through the challenging post-pandemic period. His ability to foster relationships with top guests, ensure their satisfaction, and actively engage with hotel owners on capital projects underscores his dedication to achieving operational excellence. Throughout his tenure, Ide has also held key leadership roles for several large players in the hospitality sphere, including Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, where he played a pivotal role in securing the prestigious Forbes 5 Star status for the property; Four Seasons New York; Four Seasons Boston; and the Waldorf Astoria New York.
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Scottsdale (Ariz.) Camelback Inn Resort & Spa appointed Sarah Christie Rydell resort manager.
With nearly 25 years of industry experience, Christie has held leadership positions with Marriott in the Pacific Northwest and California markets. Operational leadership roles have included complex director of operations, director of restaurant and bar and director of banquet operations in the luxury lifestyle space. Christie has supported multiple property openings including with the W Aspen, W Nashville and W Philadelphia.
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Noble House Hotels & Resorts appointed Gregg Harper general manager of LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort.
Before joining Noble House, Harper was area general manager and managing director at CoralTree Hospitality, where he oversaw a portfolio of resorts, including Tamarack Resort, The Woodlands Resort and The Westin at The Woodlands, from 2017 to 2024. Previously, he held general manager positions at Hotel Becket and with Crescent Hotels and Resorts, managing properties such as Salishan Coastal Lodge, The Oxford Hotel Bend and Holiday Isle Resort.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain appointed Brian McHugh as general manager. McHugh has held key roles across multiple Ritz-Carlton properties and in Marriott International’s corporate offices.
No stranger to The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, McHugh first joined the resort’s Food and Beverage leadership team in 2009, contributing to the resort’s highly anticipated opening. He later returned in 2014 as director of operations.
Most recently, McHugh was vice president of luxury brand operations for Marriott International’s MILUX Group, where he was responsible for implementing global operational strategies for Marriott’s portfolio of luxury brands. He also was area director of operations for Marriott's Luxury Brands in the Western Region during the Starwood acquisition and held leadership positions at Ritz-Carlton properties in Washington, D.C., Amelia Island, Orlando Grande Lakes, Half Moon Bay and San Francisco. McHugh holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology from Texas A&M University and is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America.
Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten
Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten—two all-inclusive resorts comprising the adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and family-friendly Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa—appointed Eddy Loomans as the new resort manager.
Before joining Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten, he was hotel manager at Sandals La Toc Saint Lucia. He has managed and launched resorts in the Maldives and Anguilla.
In his new role, Loomans will oversee the launch of the new Ultimate Adults Only Club, a conversion of the ninth and tenth floors at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa to concierge level.