NATIONAL REPORT—From new positions created to drive growth to shifts in leadership, here’s a look at executives on the move in hospitality:
Steve Belmonte to Help Grow AHI’s Vista Brand
Steve Belmonte has been with Advantage Hotels Inc. (AHI) as a shareholder, senior advisor and member of the executive board of directors since the hotel company’s formation in June. But now he will be taking a more active role by focusing on the expansion of AHI’s Vista brand.
Belmonte has held executive positions with major hotel companies for 40 years, including nearly tripling the size of Ramada Worldwide (from 400 to 1,100 properties in the U.S. alone) during his time as president & CEO from 1991-2002, according to the company.
The Vista Hotel brand is positioned in the upper-midscale segment, while Vista Inn and Vista Inn & Suites are midscale options. The brands are designed for full- or limited-service hotel owners who demand performance from a franchisor—those who are highly engaged and willing to contribute and share in reaching goals through communication, trust and relationships.
Concord Hospitality Names General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Concord Hospitality Enterprises has added Jared Garner as general counsel and chief compliance officer. In this role, he will lead Concord Hospitality’s legal and compliance functions, as well as support the company’s strategic initiatives.
Garner’s legal practice has focused on hospitality, real estate, banking and corporate governance. Most recently, Garner served as VP of legal, global asset management and consolidated hotel development, Americas, for Radisson Hotel Group. In this position, Garner led the team providing legal support for Radisson’s entire brand portfolio and orchestrated multimillion-dollar international and domestic transactions from conception through fruition.
Outrigger Hospitality Group Appoints SVP of Global Sales
Outrigger Hospitality Group has named Chris Riccardi to the company’s leadership team as its new SVP of global sales.
Reporting directly to Outrigger’s chief marketing officer, Riccardi is responsible for overseeing corporate, Oceania and North America sales. His role consists of leading the property sales strategy while supporting the planning and execution for Outrigger Hospitality Group’s branded, managed and third-party franchise properties with an emphasis on core Hawaii-owned assets in Waikiki. Riccardi also collaborates with regional sales leaders internally as well as manages independent contractors. Riccardi is accountable for Outrigger’s global wholesale leisure strategy and military business alongside groups, contract and negotiated programs – including the Outrigger Expert Agent and Outrigger Business Connection.
