A number of hotels across the country have appointed general managers in recent weeks. Here are some names to know.
Aloft and Element Tampa Midtown
Jason Perkins is the new general manager for the Aloft and Element Tampa (Fla.) Midtown, the city’s first dual-branded hotel.
Perkins joins Aloft and Element Tampa Midtown from the dual-branded AC Clearwater Beach Hotel & Courtyard, where he was dual general manager. His career also includes leadership roles at The Karol Hotel in Pinellas County, Lexington Marriott City Center & Residence Inn in Kentucky, Charlotte Marriott City Center, W Atlanta Downtown and Hotel Adagio in San Francisco.
Anna & Bel
In Philadelphia, the Hotel Anna & Bel appointed Helen Watson general manager.
Most recently, Watson was general manager of The Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where she oversaw both daily operations and long-term strategic expansion. Her career includes key roles at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles and The Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas.
El Encanto
El Encanto, a resort in Santa Barbara, Calif., appointed Gary Obligacion general manager. Obligacion’s career began in 1984 at Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse while he was attending the University of California, Berkeley. He has since held senior leadership roles with The Alinea Group in Chicago and was general manager of Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, Calif.
He also worked with Aparium Hotel Group, debuting nine new restaurant concepts across the U.S., and provided executive leadership for Auberge Resorts Collection properties such as Mauna Lani in Hawaii, Madeline in Telluride and Stanly Ranch in Napa.
Harborside Resort at Atlantis Paradise Island
Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas appointed Chevaz Chambers as vice president and general manager of its Harborside Resort. He remains VP and general manager of The Coral at Atlantis Paradise Island.
Chambers began in the food and beverage department at Super Clubs Breezes, where he was promoted to hotel assistant manager. From there, he managed roles across several operations departments including front office, guest activities, public areas and water-park quality & service. From 2013 to 2018, Chambers was senior director of hotel operations at Harborside Resort at Atlantis Paradise Island. He continued at Melia Hotels International as resident manager before returning to Atlantis as assistant general manager of The Coral and The Royal.
Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
Hilton appointed Dane Gorup general manager of Hilton Santa Barbara (Calif.) Beachfront Resort.
Gorup has worked with the Hilton brand for 30 years, focusing on the company’s Southern California portfolio. As a native of Orange County, Gorup most recently was resort manager at the historic Hotel del Coronado. Before that, he spent more than two decades at Hilton Anaheim, holding leadership roles tlike food & beverage manager, director of catering and director of food & beverage.
Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas
The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas appointed Guntram Merl its new general manager.
Merl’s career spans properties across London, Gstaad, Australia, the Cayman Islands, Asia and the United States. He most recently was general manager of The St. Regis Atlanta. At The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, he helped launch the Cayman Cookout culinary festival.
Thompson Hotel Chicago
The Thompson Hotel Chicago appointed Anthony Beach general manager.
Most recently, Beach was general manager for the David Rubenstein Forum & Quadrangle Club at the University of Chicago, overseeing a $17+ million operation encompassing full-service banquet, catering, restaurant and meeting spaces. He has also led the Sophy in Hyde Park and Hyatt Place Chicago Medical District.
Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
The Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Honolulu appointed Mark Weatherill general manager.
Weatherill began his career with Marriott in 1984 at the Sheraton Cavalier and has since worked as director of rooms, director of food & beverage, director of operations and general manager. He most recently was complex general manager at The Westin Galleria Houston and The Westin Oaks Houston at the Galleria, where he led the team through a 36-month renovation. He also held leadership roles at The Westin Buckhead Atlanta and the Memorial City Hotel Complex in Houston.