Troy Mathewssmart moves

Benchmark Hospitality International named Troy Mathews as general manager for Hotel Contessa, an AAA Four Diamond hotel in San Antonio. He was previously the general manager of Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Course in Curacao and Hotel Arista in Naperville, Ill. Mathews began his 20-year career at Hotel Arista as director of food and beverage.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Troy to his new position with Hotel Contessa,” said Greg Champion, executive vice president and chief operations officer for Benchmark Hospitality.  “He comes to his new role equipped with vast experience in effectively operating and providing leadership to luxury hotels.”


 

Andre Priemersmart moves

Andre Priemer was promoted as general manager of Resort at Squaw Creek, a Destination Hotel in Lake Tahoe, Calif. For two years, Priemer was resort manager of the AAA Four Diamond property. He previously served at DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld and Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Marina.

During his term at the DoubleTree property, he finalized a $35 million renovation. He was also instrumental in achieving awards for Hotel Developer of the Year in 2009 and Top 100 Companies for Working Families in 2010. Priemer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in hospitality management from the College for Hotel Management in Marburg, Germany.


 

Diana Brightsmart moves

Benchmark Hospitality International hired Diana Bright as director of national accounts for Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort in Curacao. She was previously account director for St. Regis Aspen Resort Hotel, where she received the President’s Club Award for extraordinary achievement. Bright has also worked for The Ritz-Carlton, Atlantis Paradise Island and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in Bermuda.

“I am so pleased to formally welcome Diana to the island and our resort,” said Darren Law, general manager of Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort.  “An exemplary and award-winning sales professional, she is a terrific addition to the property’s sales and marketing team.”


 

Ron Keithsmart moves

Visit Orlando announced its new national account director as Ron Keith, who is based in the Washington D.C. area. Keith has more than 20 years of sales, client relations and association management experience. Most recently, he was director of strategic accounts at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Washington D.C. Keith is a member of Meeting Professionals International, Religious Conference Management Association and National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners.

“Ron’s industry experience with multi-million dollar client accounts and his proven track record in the hospitality industry will make Ron a perfect addition to Visit Orlando. We look forward to having him come aboard,” says Fred Shea, Visit Orlando’s senior vice president of sales and services.


 

Marlyss Austersmart moves

California Central Coast Tourism Council (CCTC) elected Marlyss Auster as 2015-16 president of the non-profit group that is comprised of more than 240 member organizations, businesses and individuals. Auster, who is executive director of Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau, also served as vice president of the council in 2014-15. CCTC is one of 12 regional destination marketing organizations under the Visit California tourism and marketing organization.

“We are excited about the year ahead with Visit California’s dream big budget that inspires Central Coast travel with our two gateway cities, San Francisco and Los Angeles,” said Auster.

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