Nominations

💰 Andrew F. Puzder, former CEO of CKE Restaurants, Hardee’s, and Carl’s Jr, was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union. President Donald Trump announced the nomination on January 22, 2025. Puzder previously withdrew from a 2017 Labor Secretary appointment due to scandals including hiring an undocumented housekeeper and allegations of domestic abuse. The appointment comes amid tense U.S.-EU relations exacerbated by Trump's criticism of EU's trade practices and trade deficit with the U.S.

📢 Nicki Graham elevated to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and Ricky Castoldi promoted to Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at Cendyn, a global hospitality technology and integrated hotel services company. Graham, with nearly two decades of marketing and PR experience, previously Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at Cendyn since 2017, will lead global marketing teams focusing on growth and brand awareness. Castoldi, after a 5-year tenure as Senior Vice President of Sales for the Americas, will drive the global sales team's growth.

📈 Nicky Graham has been appointed as the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for global technology and integrated services company Cendyn, operating from London. With nearly two decades of marketing and public relations experience, Graham previously served as Senior Vice President Global Marketing for Cendyn and led international PR campaigns at IPG and WPP agencies. Her focus is on steering the global marketing team and Cendyn's brand growth. Cendyn, expanding through acquisitions and market repositioning, now features four women in top technology leadership positions. Graham joined Cendyn in 2017 and has been crucial in expanding the company's global market presence.

🏨 Sunstone Hotel Investors has eliminated the Chief Operating Officer position, leading to Chris Ostapovicz's departure on January 21, 2025. His responsibilities will be taken over by the President, Chief Investment Officer, and other executive team members. Ostapovicz will assist with the transition until January 31, 2025. A settlement agreement includes payments and benefits for Ostapovicz, subject to terms. Ostapovicz has nearly 3 years as COO at Sunstone, following over 14 years in the industry.

🏨 Acquired by a Bordeaux hotel group led by Maxime Melis, Caroline Melis, and Ismael Le Mouel, the 82-room Holiday Inn Express Bordeaux Lormont opened in 2019. The hotel, located in the Quatre Pavillons industrial zone, is eco-labeled with Green Engage and Clef Verte, less than 20 minutes from Bordeaux city center and Mérignac Airport, and close to the Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux. The property is part of the developing eco-district La Ramade, which includes housing and a commercial area.

🏦 Christopher Weissberg joins the Executive Office of the GHR, the Groupement des Hôtelleries et Restaurations de France. Weissberg, a former restaurateur in Saranac Lake from 2010 to 2024 and a political figure, including Deputy from 2022 to 2024, will represent Groupe Bertrand. The GHR, led by President Catherine Quérard, is comprised of ten administrators and serves as the leadership body for the hotel, cafe, and restaurant sector in France.

🏖️ Guerlain Chicherit's personal holding group, DeSavoie, involved in financial uncertainties while operating well. Chicherit, a former ski freerider and car racer, invests in mountain real estate through DeSavoie Real Estate, noted for the ambitious WOM (World of Mountain) project in Tignes. Whitegold Hospitality, part of his corporate network, operates Les Étincelles brand hotels, having amassed about 30 upscale assets in less than a decade, including hotels Carlina, Chamois d'Or, Taj-i-Mah, residences Montana, Koh-i Nor, and chalets Thovex and Tribute Bansky, via a variety of club-deals.

🏦 Mark Wouters, with an MBA from Glion Institute (2019) and education from École Hôtelière La Haye (2000) and École Hôtelière Ter Duinen Koksijde (1999), appointed COO of Seren Collection, reporting to Founder and CEO Neil Kedward. Wouters brings over 25 years of experience from luxury hotels like The Langham in Shanghai and Huka Lodge in New Zealand, emphasizing operational excellence, customer-centric innovation, and sustainable luxury. His last role was General Manager at The Langham, Shanghai.

📢 Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell Corp.'s CEO and a Yum! Brands, Inc. subsidiary, was elected as an independent director to the board of Marriott International, effective February 12, 2025. Tresvant's leadership at Taco Bell led to national and international expansion, increased brand recognition through initiatives like Taco Bell Taco Tuesday, and enhanced in-store and online sales. David Marriott, Chairman of Marriott's board, expects Tresvant's innovative experience to be a valuable asset as Marriott focuses on future innovation.

🏨 Javier Águila, President of Hyatt for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, extends his leadership to the global all-inclusive portfolio starting March 1, 2025. Hyatt's Inclusive Collection encompasses approximately 55,000 rooms across 11 brands, including Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, now part of the collection through a 50/50 joint-venture with Grupo Piñero, where Águila will also join the board. This move follows Hyatt's division into five portfolios: Lifestyle, Luxury, Inclusive, Classics, and Essentials, with a separate Lifestyle group already formed under Amar Lalvani.