INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Hospitality companies are bolstering their leadership rosters with new talent. Here’s a look at recent personnel shifts:
BroughtonHotels Reappointed Former COO/Partner
BroughtonHotels has reappointed Jim Sichta as COO. Sichta had previously served in this role from January 2002 to August 2013. After a brief retirement, he returned to work as VP of operations at Charlestowne Hotels before moving to BroughtonHotels. Upon his return, Sichta will work with each property to streamline hotel operations, including management of rooms, food and beverage operations and talent development for the company.
The Gehr Group Promotes VP of Asset Management
The Gehr Group has promoted Ed Duess to the executive team at its hotel-focused division, Gehr Hospitality, as VP, asset management. Prior to joining Gehr, Duess spent a decade in hotel operations with properties like The Beverly Hilton, The London West Hollywood and The Hollywood Roosevelt, gaining experience in front office operations, food and beverage, and sales.
25Hours Hotel Company Adds Director of Hotel Operations
Bart Felix has joined the 25Hours Hotel Company head office team as director of hotel operations. Felix is now responsible for the operative business of the 25Hours Group’s 13 hotels. His area of responsibility includes the development of strategies and standards for existing and new hotels worldwide. After positions with InterContinental and Hilton, the former general manager most recently spent six years as managing partner at tellerrand-consulting GmbH in Hamburg, Germany, where he was primarily responsible for HR development, finance, business strategy and development.