A number of hotels and resorts—including several in the Caribbean and Florida—have appointed new general managers. Here are some names to know.
Hilton Cabana Miami Beach Resort
Hilton has appointed Jorge Madrigal general manager at the recently renovated Hilton Cabana Miami Beach Resort. A hospitality veteran with more than 30 years of experience, Madrigal will also maintain his current position as complex general manager of Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street.
Madrigal began his hospitality career in 1984 and held management positions at various Sheraton properties in Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale. After being promoted to complex hotel manager for both The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel in 2010, Madrigal became the director of rooms at the 1,000-room Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton. He most recently joined the Hilton brand in 2017 as complex general manager at Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa and Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street. Active in the industry and community, Madrigal is involved with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and Visit Lauderdale.
Hutton Brickyards Riverfront Hotel + Venue
Hutton Brickyards Riverfront Hotel + Venue in Kingston, N.Y., appointed Jim Hutchinson III general manager
Hutchinson most recently was regional performance manager at Visions Hotels, where he oversaw a 22-property portfolio with over $60 million in annual sales. He has also held executive leadership roles at BlueSky Hospitality Solutions and has experience with Hilton, IHG and Marriott brands.
In addition to his hotel experience, Hutchinson has a background in country club and yacht club management. He expects to use this experience at Hutton Brickyards, highlighting the adjacent Hudson River as a central part of the property’s identity moving forward..
Six Senses La Sagesse
IHG Hotels & Resorts appointed George Vlachopoulos general manager for Six Senses La Sagesse in Grenada.
Most recently, Vlachopoulos was general manager of Park Hyatt St. Kitts. Before that, he was managing director at Malliouhana Resort and Spa in Anguilla and a multiproperty general manager for Auberge Resorts Collection. His career has also included general manager positions at Radisson Blue Park and Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel + Spa in Greece as well as leadership roles at Phulay Bay, Thailand (A Ritz-Carlton Reserve) and Nihi Sumba Island, Indonesia.
St. Regis Atlanta
The St. Regis Atlanta appointed Jeremy Kinker general manager.
Kinker’s hospitality career began at The Ritz-Carlton, where he advanced through leadership roles in food and beverage, banquets and restaurant operations before becoming director of food and beverage at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas. He then joined The Tampa (Fla.) Edition team as hotel manager and director of operations. Kinker also helped open several hotels, including The Ritz-Carlton Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, The Ritz-Carlton Mexico City, The Times Square Edition in New York City and The Madrid Edition.
Park Hyatt St. Kitts
Park Hyatt St. Kitts appointed Mariano Silvestri general manager.
Silvestri has led several properties within the Hyatt portfolio. His most recent post was general manager at Hyatt Centric Gaoxin Xi’an in China. He began his Hyatt journey at Park Hyatt Mendoza in Argentina before advancing to roles at Grand Hyatt Dubai and Park Hyatt Shanghai. He has led teams at the Hyatt Regency Qingdao, Hyatt Regency Tianjin East and Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.
The Singer Oceanfront Resort
Davidson Resorts has appointed Derek Shelly general manager of the Singer Oceanfront Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, in Florida.
Before joining The Singer team, Shelly was the general manager for Hotel Viking, a historic property in Newport, R.I., operated by Davidson’s Pivot division, along with roles as the area general manager for Hyatt Regency Aurora and general manager of Marriott Denver South.
The Sun Rose West Hollywood
The Sun Rose West Hollywood appointed Christopher Saputo general manager.
For the majority of his 22-year career, Saputo has held leadership positions with brands like Rosewood Hotels & Resorts; Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts; Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts; Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; InterContinental Hotels & Resorts; and five-star independent properties. He has worked in rooms, food & beverage, spa, private club, hoa, and beach & pool divisions at different properties.
In California, Saputo previously was resort manager at the Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito; director of operations at Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara; general manager at Las Alcobas, Napa Valley, a Luxury Collection Resort; hotel manager at Carneros Resort and Spa; director of rooms at Ojai Valley Inn; and assistant general manager, villas, at The Resort at Pelican Hill.
Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort
The Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort in Puerto Rico has appointed Carlo Chavez general manager.
Chavez has worked at hotels and resorts in Las Vegas, Miami Beach and Puerto Rico. Most recently, he was director of operations at the SLS South Beach. Before that, he was executive director of luxury services at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and general manager of Condado Ocean Club in San Juan.
Chavez has held senior leadership roles at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and began his career at MGM Grand, where he advanced through diverse hotel operations roles.