A number of hotels, including several flying Hilton flags, have announced general managers in recent weeks. Here are some names to know.
Key West Curio Collections
Hilton has appointed Thomas (Thom) Caska as complex general manager of Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton and The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton in Key West, Fla.
Caska started his career in theatre as the studio general manager of the historic Theatre Row Studios, assisting in the renovation and redevelopment of the Off-Broadway theatre complex, home to five stages. He then took a role overseeing beverage operations at the Beacon Theatre, part of the Madison Square Garden Company, where his cocktail creations were featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine, Healthyish and Edible Manhattan.
Caska joined Hilton in 2014 as director of restaurants & lounges at New York Hilton Midtown before moving across town to Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza as director of food & beverage and later hotel manager. Caska held the hotel manager position for three years before being promoted to complex general manager of both Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza and Millennium Hilton New York Downtown. More recently, Caska was general manager at Hilton New York Times Square where he oversaw a $20 million renovation of the property.
Caska graduated magna cum laude from Pace University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He currently serves as a member of the Pace University Presidents Council.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail has made two appointments to its leadership team: General Manager Jenny Simonson and Resort Manager Anna Folaros.
Simonson’s career within Four Seasons began at Four Seasons Resort Aviara and includes Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale and Four Seasons Resort Westlake Village, where she was director of finance and co-managed a $50 million renovation and partnered with operational teams to navigate the challenges of COVID. In 2021, Simonson advanced to hotel manager.
Before joining Four Seasons, Folaros worked in key operational areas including housekeeping, stewarding and banquets to front office in major hospitality hubs including New Orleans, Chicago and New York City.
Hilton Arcadia Los Angeles
Hilton has appointed Luis Plascencia general manager of the newly opened Hilton Arcadia Los Angeles.
Plascencia most recently was general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Monterey Park, where he oversaw $20 million in annual revenue. Before that, he held leadership roles across Southern California, including general manager of Embassy Suites by Hilton Arcadia-Pasadena, where he earned Hilton’s Highest Growth Index Award and the CEO of Sales Award, as well as general manager positions at DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Ana and DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine Spectrum. Plascencia is a Certified Hotel Administrator and a graduate of Hilton’s Circle of Excellence leadership program.
Hotel Indigo Turks & Caicos Grace Bay
Hotel Indigo Turks & Caicos Grace Bay, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, developed by owners Molo Hotel Group and managed by Lighthouse Hotel Management, appointed Mark Illingworth executive general manager. Illingworth is spearheading the hotel’s opening later this month and will oversee operations upon its debut.
Throughout his career, he has held various positions, most recently as general manager of Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, the flagship property of the Q Hotels Collection. He also held general manager positions within AccorHotels and Bespoke Hotels in the United Kingdom.
Illingworth will open Hotel Indigo Turks & Caicos Grace Bay as well as the Kimpton Grace Turks & Caicos and InterContinental Turks & Caicos, contributing to the ongoing growth and success of Lighthouse Hotel Management and Molo Hotel Group.
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole (Wyo.) appointed Marguerite Veber as hotel manager.
Veber joins the property following her most recent position as director of operations at Anchorage by the Sea in Ogunquit, Maine. Her background also includes working as director of rooms at Gurney’s Montauk and assistant director of operations at the reopened Keswick Hall in Virginia, where she led comprehensive rooms division operations. Veber spent nearly two decades with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, including as director of housekeeping at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, where she was part of the opening team.
Mar del Cabo
Velas Resorts has appointed Carina Romero Galán general manager of Mar del Cabo.
Romero has spent the past six years with Velas Resorts in Los Cabos, most recently as food & beverage director at the Grand Velas Los Cabos. She also contributed to the pre-opening planning of Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos.
Before joining Velas Resorts, Romero held senior food and beverage positions at Conrad Tulum and El Dorado Maroma & Palafitos, where she managed multiple specialty restaurants and bars. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo and has completed certifications in Six Sigma, Finance for Hotel Executives and Wine Studies.
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown appointed Daryl Rhead general manager.
Rhead began his career with Marriott International in 2004 in San Francisco. Over the past two decades, he has held leadership roles across finance and operations, including vice president – global asset management and area director of finance for the Americas East Region, and senior finance positions at landmark properties such as Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, and San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront.
Most recently, Rhead was vice president of owner franchise services. During his tenure, he hosted key forums for the franchise management community. Rhead also is an adjunct professor at The George Washington University Graduate School of Business and the University of Maryland, teaching advanced courses in finance and hotel operations.
Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District
McKibbon Hospitality appointed Bryan Hale general manager of the upcoming Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District, set to open in the spring.
Hale brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across Hilton, Marriott and IHG, most recently as general manager of the Hampton Inn Savannah (Ga.) Historic District.
Virginia Guesthouse Hotel & Conference Center
In Charlottesville, Va., the upcoming Virginia Guesthouse Hotel & Conference Center appointed Gregg Hilker general manager.
Hilker oversaw the recent opening of The Loutrel in Charleston, S.C. and the JB Duke Hotel in Durham, N.C.