Aparium fortifies executive team with promotions, new hires

Aparium Hotel Group has bolstered its executive team with a number of promotions and new hires, including Timothy Ryan, the former EVP, operations, moving up to the COO role.

Ryan has been with the company for two years and played a key role in the opening of several new properties. He has more than 25 years of operations experience launching more than 30 restaurants, hotels and international resorts. He also served as a VP, strategy for five years at MGM Resorts.

Other promotions
Annemieke Dunlop has been promoted to SVP, sales and revenue. She has been with Aparium for five years and came to the company from Hilton, where she was frequently recognized for her work in revenue management.

Jason Pirock was promoted to VP, marketing, expanding his role in overseeing integrated marketing initiatives across all Aparium properties in addition to the Aparium brand. He joined the company in June 2019.

Elaine Hartline has been promoted to director, openings & initiatives. She joined the Aparium team serving as director, food & beverage at the Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis in December 2017 before being promoted to director, task force operations at Aparium Hotel Group, playing an instrumental role in the successful launch of five hotels in the company’s portfolio during the pandemic. Prior to Aparium Hotel Group, Hartline spent time working alongside the team at Wolfgang Puck Food & Beverage.

Evan Sheridan was promoted to director, F&B operations. Having been at the company for more than two and half years, he played a crucial part in helping develop the unique dining concepts across Aparium properties. His prestigious Michelin star background includes roles at Sixteen Chicago and Boka Hospitality.

Thomas Lents has been promoted to culinary director. In his expanded role, he remains executive chef at Apparatus Room at the Detroit Foundation Hotel and will also assist with developing new programming across the portfolio. His impressive culinary career began in Chicago under Jean Joho at Everest before joining two Michelin-starred Thornton Restaurant inside Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Hotel.

New hires
Max Wastler joins the company as VP, brand overseeing the image and experience of the Aparium brand as a whole and each individual brand within the portfolio of hotels and restaurants. He brings nearly two decades of branding and marketing experience to Aparium having previously consulted on strategy and storytelling for companies such as J. Crew, Madewell, Patagonia, Lands End and Airstream.

Paul Finstad joins as VP, acquisitions + asset management. In this role, he is responsible for sourcing and executing acquisition opportunities on behalf of Aparium. He joins Aparium after more than five years at Watermark Lodging Trust and has more than a decade of experience in hospitality.

James J. Dannecker joins the team as director of task force hotel operations leading efforts to improve processes, services and standards across Aparium’s portfolio. He brings more than a decade of experience in hospitality having most recently served as task force general manager for Davidson Hospitality Group.

Tomasz D. Borzemski joins as director, financial planning and analysis. He is responsible for leading financial and strategic planning and developing financial forecasts. With more than 15 years of experience in finance and business analytics, he previously held roles at OnePoint Partners, SimpleTherapy and Lifespace Communities.

Nick N. Dostal joins the team as task force executive chef overseeing operations and food & beverage programming at Aparium’s dining venues including Madam, Flor Fina and Lazia. He brings years of experience in the restaurant industry having most recently served as chef at Alinea Group and Sixteen.

Shel Buhler joins the team as its new director, bars & beverage programming. She will be responsible for bar programming and concepts and work closely with the restaurant and bar teams to further elevate service. She boasts extensive expertise in the field having previously worked with Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Two Roads Hospitality. In addition, Buhler has worked at top cocktail bars including Playa Los Angeles and The Dead Rabbit in New York City.

Harper Counts joins the team as corporate director, sales, overseeing the sales teams both within the organization and across Aparium’s portfolio of properties. Prior to joining the company, she was the director, sales and marketing for The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, and will lend her expertise in the luxury market to boost growth at Aparium’s luxury properties. Prior to The Gwen, Counts spent seven years at Marriott International.