Global Hotel Alliance, October 7, 2025
News Summary
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) has made significant leadership appointments within the hospitality sector, including key positions at various hotels and organizations. Notable appointments include Ryan Sistare as Vice President of Operations at Hospitality America and Colin Flannery promoted to Vice President at Hunter Hotel Advisors. Other leadership changes involve Angel Garcia at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington and Sarah Miller at Palette Hotels, among others. These changes reflect ongoing developments in the hotel industry aimed at enhancing operational and marketing capabilities.
Global Hotel Alliance Announces Key Leadership Appointments
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and several major hospitality brands have recently made significant leadership appointments in the industry. The changes involve key positions at various hotels and organizations, reflecting ongoing developments across the hospitality sector.
New Appointments Overview
Hospitality America has appointed Ryan Sistare as Vice President of Operations, bringing with him 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Sistare previously held the position of Vice President of Operations at Peachtree Group and has served in leadership roles with HEI Hotels & Resorts, Schulte Hospitality Group, and GF Management.
In New York City, Colin Flannery has been promoted to Vice President at Hunter Hotel Advisors. Since joining the company in 2020, Flannery has contributed significantly to underwriting, financial analysis, and market research for over $6 billion in transacted assets.
Further appointments include Angel Garcia as Director of Operations at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, with over 15 years of experience and a previous role at Hyatt Centric at the Pike. Similarly, Palette Hotels appointed Sarah Miller as Senior Director of Corporate Finance, who comes from a background as Senior Director of Accounting at MillerKnoll and has held roles at Herman Miller and PwC.
The Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort also made a notable appointment, announcing Carlo Chavez as General Manager. Chavez boasts over 25 years of luxury hotel experience, primarily serving as Director of Operations at SLS South Beach.
Food and Beverage Leadership
Other key leadership appointments include Michelle Hacker as General Manager of the new French brasserie, La Monique, at Oceana Santa Monica. Hacker previously managed operations at h.wood Group.
Juan Flores has been named General Manager of Albert Hotel, bringing nearly three decades of hospitality experience, including 23 years with Valencia Hotel Group. Lourdes Sanchez, appointed as Marketing Manager at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, has over seven years of marketing experience, beginning her career as a server at Grand Cayman Marriott Resort.
Sales and Marketing Leaders
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa welcomed back Timothy Nelson as Director of Sales and Marketing, bringing 15 years of experience, most recently from Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. Additionally, Paul Buff has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza, updating his profile as a hospitality leader with over 30 years of experience.
Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort has also appointed Rafael Romero as Director of Sales and Marketing, who brings more than 25 years of experience from roles at Las Palmas by The Sea and Garza Blanca Resort. At the culinary helm, the Conrad New York Downtown appointed Christopher Skarstrom as Executive Chef, leveraging three decades of culinary experience from previous roles at Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square and Waldorf Astoria.
Environmental and Technological Implementations
In a strategic move toward sustainability, OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group appointed Karen Kurosawa as Director of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), effective September 22, 2025. Kurosawa joins OUTRIGGER from CDP Reporter Services in New York.
Comprehensive Hotel Leadership Team
Several hotels also unveiled their executive leadership teams recently, with Hotel Phoenix naming Cesar Brand as Hotel Manager, and Danielle Randall as Director of Sales and Marketing. Tiffany Newsome, Samantha Fleisher, and Pete Baum have also assumed key roles in Human Resources, Finance, and Engineering respectively.
Clayton Hotel & Members Club announced McClinton Heil as Area Managing Director alongside Colter Hocking as General Manager. St Julien Hotel & Spa selected Bryan Amaro as Director of Restaurants and Bars, and promoted Ian Connor to Senior Food and Beverage Manager, with Gange Betancourt as Food and Beverage Manager.
Great Wolf Lodge Leadership Appointments
Great Wolf Lodge announced leadership appointments across three locations, with Ron Hassani as General Manager of Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound, John Taffin managing Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, and Jordan Austin-Harris overseeing Great Wolf Lodge Webster.
Mandarin Oriental Leadership Changes
Mandarin Oriental has also made several senior appointments: Christian Gradnitzer as Group Director of Food & Beverage, Raphael Bick as Chief Information Officer, Kandé Camara as Chief of Staff to the CEO and Group Director of Sustainability, and Emlyn Brown as Group Director of Spa, Leisure, and Wellness.
Finally, GHA promoted Steve Ayalo to Vice President of IT Governance, Risk & Compliance, and appointed Matthew Lloyd as Vice President of Marketing Technology & CRM. These appointments align with GHA’s efforts to enhance technology and marketing capabilities in response to the evolving industry landscape. Chief Executive Officer Chris Hartley emphasized the importance of technological infrastructure and marketing capabilities in these leadership changes.
FAQ Section
Who has been appointed as Vice President of Operations at Hospitality America?
Ryan Sistare has been appointed as Vice President of Operations at Hospitality America.
What role has Colin Flannery been promoted to at Hunter Hotel Advisors?
Colin Flannery has been promoted to Vice President at Hunter Hotel Advisors.
Who is the new Director of Operations at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington?
Angel Garcia has been appointed as Director of Operations at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington.
What position has Sarah Miller been appointed to at Palette Hotels?
Sarah Miller has been appointed as Senior Director of Corporate Finance at Palette Hotels.
Who is the General Manager of Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort?
Carlo Chavez has been named General Manager at Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort.
Which new restaurant has Michelle Hacker been appointed to manage?
Michelle Hacker has been appointed as General Manager of La Monique, the new French brasserie at Oceana Santa Monica.
Leadership Appointments Overview
| Individual | Hotel/Organization | Position | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Sistare | Hospitality America | Vice President of Operations | 20 years in hospitality |
| Colin Flannery | Hunter Hotel Advisors | Vice President | $6 billion in transacted assets |
| Angel Garcia | Hyatt Regency Lake Washington | Director of Operations | 15 years in hospitality |
| Sarah Miller | Palette Hotels | Senior Director of Corporate Finance | Accounting background |
| Carlo Chavez | Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort | General Manager | Over 25 years in luxury hotels |
| Michelle Hacker | Oceana Santa Monica | General Manager, La Monique | Experienced in restaurant management |
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Additional Resources
- Travel and Tour World: GHA Strengthens Global Hospitality Leadership
- Wikipedia: Hospitality Industry
- Hotel Dive: Top Exec Moves Q1 2025
- Google Search: Hospitality Leadership Appointments
- Hotels Magazine: Philadelphia’s Hotel Anna Bel Leadership Appointments
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hotel
- Hotelier Middle East: JA Resorts Hotels Leadership Appointments
- Google News: Leadership Appointments in Hotels
- Travel Daily Media: New Leadership Appointments for Pullman Kuching and Pullman Miri Waterfront
- Google Scholar: Hospitality Leadership Changes
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