Nikki Beach Hospitality Group, Velas Resorts and hotels across the country appointed sales and marketing leaders in recent weeks. Here are some names to know.
Caravan Court
Valencia Hotel Collection appointed Anna Darden director of sales and marketing of Caravan Court, the eighth property in the Valencia Hotel Collection, set to debut in Arlington, Texas, in spring.
Darden brings more than five years of hospitality sales leadership experience, including area- level sales management roles for both large-scale hotels and boutique lifestyle properties.
Cotton Court
Valencia Hotel Collection also appointed Colee Reed director of sales and marketing of Cotton Court, a boutique hotel in Lubbock, Texas.
Reed previously was Cotton Court’s Group sales manager and catering & conference services manager.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
In Florida’s capital, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront appointed Melinda Sligar sales manager.
Sligar began her career as a pool server at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress during her undergraduate and progressed through a food and beverage and events internship at the hotel. She then completed the Corporate Manager in Training Program in Events at the Hyatt Regency Chicago and advanced through roles as a small-market manager and mid-market manager before transferring to Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Originally from Southern Illinois and raised in Orlando, Sligar earned dual bachelor’s degrees in hospitality and tourism management and psychology from Florida State University in December 2022. She is completing her master’s in hospitality and tourism management at the University of Central Florida in December 2026 with a certificate in destination and marketing management. Sligar is also affiliated with the Rosen Honor Society.
La Concha Key West and Pier House Resort & Spa
Remington Hospitality has appointed Karen Roche Paulon, area director of sales and marketing for its two Key West properties, La Concha Key West, Autograph Collection and Pier House Resort & Spa.
Paulon has more than 30 years of hospitality leadership experience across global brands like Marriott International, Hyatt, Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham and several luxury independent resorts.
Originally from Boston, Paulon began her hospitality journey as a concierge with Marriott International. She advanced into senior sales and revenue management roles across New England and the U.S. Virgin Islands including recent significant positions as regional director of sales and marketing at Hersha Hospitality Management and OTO Development.
Paulon earned her Bachelor’s in Hospitality Administration and Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Nikki Beach Hospitality Group
Nikki Beach Hospitality Group appointed Julie Desvaux global marketing director for hotels & resorts.
Desvaux has held senior positions at Airelles, Groupe Barrière and, most recently, Compagnie Lebon.
Velas Resorts
Velas Resorts appointed David Berzofsky senior regional sales director – Southeast US
Before joining Velas Resorts, Berzofsky was director of sales for The Ocean Reef Club in Florida. He then spent 15 years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Marriott Luxury Brands. During his tenure, he helped develop the Business Development division within the Global Sales Team and helped elevate nearly 50 accounts to Key Account status.
W South Beach
W South Beach appointed Carlos Del Busto as its new director of catering & sales.
Del Busto began his hospitality career in 2014 with Marriott International as part of the opening team at The Miami Beach Edition. Before entering the hotel industry, he worked as a corporate trainer for banks and credit unions across South Florida. Earlier in his career, he opened three Ralph Lauren Purple Collection stores.
Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali promoted Eric Frankum to director of marketing.
Since joining the Westin Maui in 2015 as a marketing coordinator, he has advanced through progressive leadership roles, most recently working as senior marketing manager. During his tenure, he helped shape the resort’s marketing strategy during its landmark $160 million redevelopment, including the launch of the Hōkūpaʻa Tower and the repositioning of the property within Maui’s competitive luxury hospitality market.
Frankum has a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston.