A number of urban hotels and Caribbean resorts—among others—have appointed new general managers in recent weeks. Here are some names to know.
Alisal Ranch
Alisal Ranch, a 10,500-acre working ranch and resort in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, has promoted David Merklinger to general manager.
Merklinger, who previously was the property’s assistant general manager, joined Alisal Ranch from The Lodge at Torrey Pines. He began his career in San Diego, where he spent 17 years with Loews Hotels, ultimately advancing to director of operations. He later joined the leadership team at The Lodge at Torrey Pines before moving on to Alisal Ranch.
Merklinger is a graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Hospitality.
El Encanto
Chris Saputo is the new general manager of El Encanto in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Saputo entered the industry at 15 as a bellman. His career has included time with Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons and Rosewood hotels, along with independent destinations including Pelican Hill and Ojai Valley Inn. He previously held roles at both Hotel Californian and Rosewood Miramar.
Fairmont Mayakoba
On Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the Fairmont Mayakoba appointed Gonzalo Güelman Ros general manager.
Ros, who has more than 30 years of experience across the Americas and the Caribbean, previously held senior leadership roles with globally renowned brands including Conrad, The Ritz-Carlton, IHG, Four Seasons, and St. Regis, recently working as general manager of The St. Regis Punta Mita.
Beyond hotel operations, Gonzalo Güelman Ros is the founder of Talisman Group, a lifestyle curation firm specializing in luxury residential experiences. He also previously was co-CEO and Managing Director of Xala Development on Mexico's Pacific coast.
InterContinental Boston
Shane McWeeny is the new general manager of the InterContinental Boston.
McWeeny has more than 25 years of hospitality experience across luxury, lifestyle and large-scale urban hotels. He most recently was general manager at Hotel Commonwealth and has held senior leadership roles at Boston Park Plaza, The Lenox Hotel, The Beverly Hills Hotel (Dorchester Collection), The Ritz-Carlton Boston Common and Hyatt as well as independent properties. McWeeny is a graduate of UMass Amherst.
Kimpton Gray Hotel
The Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago appointed Adam Gurgiolo general manager.
The appointment marks a homecoming for Gurgiolo, who previously was general manager of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago. In 2016, he opened the Kimpton Schofield Hotel in Cleveland, the first Kimpton hotel in Ohio.
Gurgiolo’s hospitality career began as a front-desk agent at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Naperville. He oversaw the brand development and launch of the first L7 Chicago by Lotte in the United States, where he guided a major property renovation and brand transition.
He is a graduate of North Central College with a degree in History.
Residence Inn by Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk
The new Residence Inn by Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk appointed Corina Lathan general manager.
Lathan has more than 16 years of hospitality experience across Marriott, Hilton and third-party management. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University–San Antonio and will lead the property through opening.
Sahara Las Vegas
The Sahara Las Vegas appointed Craig Pleva general manager.
Pleva previously was chief operating officer at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa. Additional senior leadership positions include general manager of Monarch Casino Black Hawk in Black Hawk, Colo., where he oversaw all aspects of the casino operations and resort for eight years. He also spent nine years at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nev., as director of casino marketing and in various roles within casino operations.
Umstead Hotel and Spa
The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, N.C., appointed Jose Carlos Curci general manager.
Curci has held three previous leadership roles at the hotel, first joining as director of banquets before being promoted to assistant director of food and beverage. He then moved to Nashville to join The Hermitage Hotel as director of food and beverage before returning to The Umstead as director of food and beverage. He then became resort manager at The Salamander in Virginia, overseeing food and beverage, rooms, recreation, engineering and equestrian operations. Most recently, Curci oversaw the Nemacolin Resort & Spa in Pennsylvania, first as general manager, then as vice president, private homes and estates.
W Punta Cana
In the Dominican Republic, the W Punta Cana, the first all-inclusive resort in the W Hotels portfolio, appointed Alejandro Larrondo general manager.
Most recently, Larrondo was general manager of Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe. His tenure with Marriott International includes leadership roles as multiproperty general manager overseeing Marriott and Courtyard Santiago, Chile, and four years as general manager of JW Marriott Santo Domingo.
The Washington Inn
The Washington Inn in Santa Fe, N.M., has announced the appointment of John Wickham as general manager, bringing more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, boutique hotels, nightlife, and guest experience leadership to the role.
Most recently, Wickham was general manager and hotel director of the Prince Solms Inn. Before that role, Wickham was general manager of Sidecar, a jazz club and craft cocktail bar.