A number of hotels, including two in Asheville, N.C., have appointed general managers in recent weeks. Here are some names to know.
AC Hotel Beverly Hills
Kevin Briggs is the new general manager of the AC Hotel Beverly Hills in California, bringing more than two decades of hospitality experience across luxury and lifestyle hotels in the Los Angeles market. Briggs joins the property after working as general manager of The Glenmark, Glendale, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, where he helped establish the hotel as a destination for travelers and the local community.
Briggs joined Azul Hospitality Group in 2019 and previously spent eight years with OLS Hotels & Resorts, including a stint as general manager of The Grafton on Sunset. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Hotel Palomar in Westwood and Le Montrose Suite Hotel in West Hollywood.
Aloft Asheville Downtown & Moxy Asheville Downtown
McKibbon Hospitality has named Aaron Hammer dual general manager of Aloft Asheville Downtown and Moxy Asheville Downtown in North Carolina. Hammer brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience leading teams across luxury and high-volume hospitality environments.
Before joining McKibbon, Hammer was general manager of Legacy Hotel and Lodge Kohler in Green Bay. His background also includes leadership roles with Azamara, Yosemite Hospitality, Treasure Island Las Vegas and Caesars Palace.
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Jacksonville
Ahead of its planned 2027 opening, Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Jacksonville (Fla.) has appointed Melissa Sims as general manager. A longtime Four Seasons executive, Sims brings two decades of experience with the company and most recently was general manager of Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe.
Throughout her career, Sims has worked across operations, people and culture, and learning and development functions. That background has helped shape a leadership approach centered on employee engagement and organizational culture as she prepares to lead the opening of the Jacksonville property.
Hotel Teatro
Hotel Teatro in Denver has named Teryn Flood general manager. Flood brings 25 years of hospitality leadership experience, including four years as a general manager and a career that has included work with several Four Diamond properties.
Most recently, Flood was general manager of Sheraton Denver West. Before that, he held leadership positions at Origin Hotel Red Rocks and Nomad Taqueria + Beer Garden and spent roughly two decades with Marriott International, working at properties including The Westin Denver International Airport and The Westin Denver Downtown.
Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport
Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport has appointed Manfred Steuerwald general manager. The Austria-born hotelier brings more than four decades of hospitality experience and returns to the Seattle area after serving as general manager of Grand Hyatt Seattle.
Steuerwald began his career in culinary operations, working in kitchens across Europe and South Africa before joining the opening team of the Royal Viking Queen cruise ship. Since joining Hyatt in 1998, he has held leadership roles throughout North America, including positions at Grand Hyatt Kauai, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego and Hyatt Regency Calgary. He also led Everline Resort & Spa through its rebranding before his most recent role in Seattle.
Kimpton Hotel Arras
McKibbon Hospitality has appointed Brandon Miller general manager of Kimpton Hotel Arras in Asheville, N.C. Miller has joined the property from AC Hotel Asheville Downtown, where he was general manager.
A longtime McKibbon leader, Miller brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience. In addition to overseeing operations at AC Hotel Asheville Downtown, he has served on Marriott’s General Manager Advisory Council and is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s General Manager Committee.
NoMad Detroit Michigan Central
NoMad Hotels has appointed Jason Deibler-Love general manager of NoMad Detroit Michigan Central ahead of the property's expected 2027 opening. Deibler-Love brings more than 20 years of experience leading independent and lifestyle hotels.
His career has included senior roles with Ace Hotel Group, Standard International and Eaton Workshop. Raised in the Detroit area, Deibler-Love returns to his hometown market as NoMad prepares to launch its Detroit property.
O2 Beach Club & Spa
O2 Beach Club & Spa in Barbados has named Natalie Gonzalez general manager. A Barbadian native, Gonzalez returns to the island after building an international hospitality career that includes leadership assignments abroad.
Gonzalez spent eight years with Celebrity Cruises, leading multicultural teams while traveling globally. Most recently, she was general manager of The Sands Barbados. Her background spans luxury hospitality and team leadership, with a focus on culture and employee development.
Populus Seattle
Populus Seattle has appointed Rob Brandenberg general manager. Brandenberg brings more than two decades of luxury and lifestyle hospitality experience and is a longtime resident of the Seattle market.
Raised and trained in Switzerland, Brandenberg began his career in luxury hotels in Zurich, New York and San Francisco before taking on assignments throughout the Asia-Pacific region. His resume includes leadership positions at The US GRANT, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Pan Pacific Seattle and, most recently, 1 Hotel Seattle, where he led the property through renovation, rebranding and reopening.
The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland
The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland has appointed Lisa Mercer general manager. Mercer arrives with more than 25 years of experience within Marriott International and luxury hospitality operations.
Most recently, Mercer was resort manager at The Phoenician and Canyon Suites, A Luxury Collection Resort in Scottsdale. Earlier, she held leadership roles in food and beverage operations and played a key role in luxury renovations, capital projects and operational transformations.
The Scottsdale Resort & Spa
The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton, has named Jake Rodriguez general manager. Rodriguez joins the property after nearly five years with Driftwood Hospitality Management, serving in both operations and sales leadership positions.
Most recently, he was general manager of Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown after serving as area director of sales for Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown and DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Tempe. During his career, Rodriguez has opened two hotels and managed two hotel conversions, earning recognition from both Driftwood Hospitality Management and Remington Hotels