The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix Appoints Louis Vivas Associate Director of Meetings and Special Events
Louis Vivas has been promoted to associate director of meetings and special events at The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix. Vivas, who has 27 years of hotel management experience, joined The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix in 2011. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon.
The Westin Arlington Gateway Welcomes Bobbie Miller
The Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, Virginia, has named Bobbie Miller the hotel’s new food and beverage director/executive chef. She has more than 30 years of culinary experience, including over 10 years working with Starwood-branded hotels.
Chef Miller was part of the original opening team at the Westin Arlington Gateway, but left to become executive chef at the Sheraton Tyson Hotel. “I’m excited to be back at the Westin Arlington Gateway,” says Miller. “The hotel has always been a favorite in the community for local social events, as well as meetings. With a fully renovated space, it’s only natural to upgrade our menu selections as well.”
The property just completed a major renovation of its more than 10,000 square feet of function space.
Adam Sydenham Appointed General Manager of the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel
Adam Sydenham has been named general manager of the Four Diamond Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Sydenham has more than a decade of hospitality industry experience. Prior to joining Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, Sydenham worked at the Four Seasons Hotel in Moscow, where he served as director of rooms. He has also worked at Four Seasons properties in Toronto, London, Seychelles and Beverly Hills.
“We are pleased to welcome Adam as the new leader of our management team at Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel,” says Luxe Hotels founder and chairman, Efrem Harkham. “His impressive resume and international background will ensure that he succeeds at the property, as we embark on new and exciting projects ahead of our 20th anniversary.”
Larry McAfee Appointed General Manager of The Lodge of Four Seasons in Central Missouri
Larry McAfee has been named general manager of The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Missouri. McAfee previously served as general manager of the Warwick Melrose Hotel in Dallas, Texas, a AAA Four Diamond property. He has also worked at The Tides Inn and Washington Court Hotel, among other properties.
Tom Baker, CEO and managing principal of Access Hotels & Resorts says, “McAfee’s leadership at the Warwick Melrose, along with renovation experience he gained on the extensive property renovations at the Warwick Melrose and Tides Inn Resort, will be a welcome asset to our organization during the multi-million dollar renovations currently underway at The Lodge.” The Lodge of Four Seasons has 359 guest rooms and over 60,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Sheraton Tysons Hotel Welcomes New Executive Chef
The Sheraton Tysons Hotel in Tysons, Virginia, welcomes Sam El-Sheikh as its new executive chef. An executive chef since 2004, he honed his skills at the Four Seasons Hotel and Citronelle Restaurant. He was named one of the Washington, DC area's "Top 50 Chefs" by Capital Cuisine Magazine and the Mid Atlantic Restaurant Digest.
The Sheraton Tysons Hotel Welcomes New F&B Director
The Sheraton Tysons Hotel in Tysons, Virginia, welcomes Uwe Roehricht as its new director of food & beverage. Roehricht has more than 20 years of experience in luxury city center and resort properties in the U.S. and Bermuda.
Waimea Plantation Cottages Welcomes New Sales Manager
Waimea Plantation Cottages in Kauai has added Tim Alex as sales manager. Alex, who has a background in advertising, has spent the past three decades working and living in Hawaii. He previously worked for Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and Outrigger’s Condominium.
Waimea Plantation Cottages Welcomes New Event Coordinator
Waimea Plantation Cottages in Kauai has added Mary Kagawa Garcia as event coordinator. Garcia was born and raised in Waimea, and started as an event coordinator in the hospitality industry in 1988 when she was hired as manager of the boats division at the Westin Kauai Resort. For the past year she has worked at Waimea Plantation Cottages as restaurant manager of The Grove Dining Room.
