NATIONAL REPORT—Hotel Business is tracking personnel shifts in the industry. The following companies have recently promoted or appointed executives: Hilton, Prism Hotels and Resorts, Monaker Group, Dream Hotel Group, New Century Hotels, Live! Casino & Hotel, and Mag Mile Capital.
Hilton Taps New Leader for Americas Region
Hilton has appointed Danny Hughes as EVP and president, Americas. Effective Sept. 4, he will oversee Hilton’s interests across North, Central and South America with a focus on enhancing the managed portfolio.
Since 2014, Hughes has led Hilton’s revenue management and sales team as SVP and commercial director in the Americas. He previously served as SVP, Latin America and Caribbean.
Prism Hotels and Resorts Expands Leadership Team with Two New Positions
Prism Hotels and Resorts has created two new positions to serve its growing portfolio. Ghee Alexander has been promoted from GM of El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort, to fill the role of SVP of operations. Jeff Miller has been hired as corporate regional director of sales.
Alexander has 25 years of experience in a variety of roles. His first GM position came at age 26 when he spent six years at Lodgian Inc. He joined Prism seven years ago as GM of DoubleTree by Hilton Memphis Downtown before serving as GM of El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort.
Previously to his new role with Prism, Miller held multiple sales positions for HEI Hotels & Resorts, TPG Hotels & Resorts and, most recently, with Interstate Hotels & Resorts in Dallas.
Dream Hotel Group Appoints Jeff Donnelly as VP of Development
Dream Hotel Group has appointed Jeff Donnelly as VP of development. He brings nearly 10 years of hospitality experience to the hospitality company. He most recently served as principal partner and founder of JD Advisors, a consultancy he formed to service developers, capital groups and hotel operators in new hospitality ventures. He also worked with SBE Entertainment. He also held positions with Lowe Enterprises and CBRE Hotels.
Mag Mile Capital Promotes Jayara, Desai
Mag Mile Capital has promoted two of its executives. The company has promoted Prabhat Jayara to VP of underwriting and Suraj Desai to VP of originations and business development.
Since joining the firm in 2014, Jayara has participated in closing more than $500 million in financing for hotels, multifamily, industrial, self-storage, office and retail properties nationwide. Prior to his employment with the firm, Jayara held finance positions with Group One Trading L.P. and Morgan Stanley in New York, as well as SAC Capital Advisors in Stamford, CT and Cap Gemini S.A. in Chicago.
Since joining the firm in 2016, Desai has closed more than $69.33 million in construction, bridge and permanent financing for select-service hotels, with another $27 million currently in the pipeline to close. Prior to joining the firm, Desai was a commercial real estate analyst for the national hotel management firm Sunstar Management Inc.
Monaker Appoints Donald Monaco as Chairman of the Board
Monaker has appointed Donald P. Monaco as chairman of the board of directors of the company. He has served as the travel and technology company’s director since July 2015. He succeeds William Kerby, who has been appointed vice chairman of the board of directors and will remain the company’s CEO.
Monaco is currently the owner of Monaco Air Duluth, a full-service aviation services business. For 28 years, he was a partner, senior executive, and international information technology and business management consultant at Accenture.
New Century Hotels Hires David W. Davis as VP of Operations
New Century Hotels has hired David W. Davis as VP of operations. He has been a professor at the Oklahoma State University (OSU) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management since 2008. Prior to his career at OSU, he spent more than 10 years in the hospitality industry.
Live! Casino & Hotel Adds to Executive Team
Live! Casino & Hotel has promoted Michael Cray to VP of property operations and Craig Levesque to VP of slot operations.
Cray has been a Live! Casino & Hotel team member for five years, most recently as director of operations, where he oversaw operation of the facility. He brings 35 years of gaming leadership experience, including positions of VP of Greektown Casino in Detroit, director of casino operations for Isle of Capri Casino’s Inc. and VP of Table Games at Biloxi Grand Casino in Mississippi.
Levesque previously served as the property’s director of analytics. Prior to joining Live! Casino & Hotel, Craig served as VP and GM of the Apache Casino Hotel in Oklahoma, and VP and GM for Isle of Capri Casino in both Colorado and the Bahamas. He also worked with Isle of Capri Casinos Inc.
