Aqua-Aston Hospitality and Benchmark, Pyramid Luxury & Lifestyle have added new executives.
Khabir promoted to SVP, sales and marketing for Aqua-Aston Hospitality
Aqua-Aston Hospitality, an operating business of Marriott Vacations Worldwide, has promoted Rhonda Khabir to SVP, sales and marketing.
In this role, her responsibilities include business and market expansion, strategic direction for promotion and advertising, sales success, customer satisfaction and leadership of the sales and marketing department. She reports to Denis Ebrill, managing director.
Khabir joined Aqua-Aston in 2018 as the company’s VP, sales, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry that spans sales, marketing and operations. Prior to joining Aqua-Aston, she spent nine years at Great Wolf Resorts, where she worked in progressive leadership roles from GM to corporate director, sales & strategic alliances with direct oversight of 18 resorts across North America. Concurrently, she served as president of the company’s charity arm, Great Wolf Resorts Scholarships.
“Rhonda’s extensive marketing, sales and operational experience will be an accelerator for Aqua-Aston as we continue to expand our footprint in Hawaii and beyond,” said Ebrill. “Her established sales and marketing leadership and strong relationships within our organization and our industry make her uniquely suited to lead our continued evolution as a digital market leader, unlock greater synergy between our sales and marketing disciplines, and execute on our enterprise and third-party management growth strategy.”
Benchmark, Pyramid Luxury & Lifestyle adds VP, operations
Benchmark, Pyramid Luxury & Lifestyle, the independent luxury and lifestyle hotel services of Pyramid Global Hospitality, has named Sam Johnson VP, operations.
His appointment marks a return to the Benchmark family, having previously served as GM for two years within Benchmark’s Pacific Northwest portfolio.
In his new role at Benchmark, he supports the Seattle and Portland, OR, markets as they grow their portfolio in each region. He supports the day-to-day successes of the property-level associates while building long-term relationships with the hotel management teams and the various ownership groups.
“Benchmark is thrilled to welcome back Sam in his new role as VP of operations,” said Greg Champion, president/COO, Benchmark, Pyramid Luxury & Lifestyle. “As we expand more of our portfolio in the Pacific Northwest, Sam is well-equipped to support Benchmark during this time of successful market growth. We couldn’t be happier to have Sam continue bringing the finest in hospitality to our guests.”
With more than 42 years of industry experience, Johnson most recently served as SVP, operations for Hotel Equities and The Hotel Group for the Pacific Northwest (PNW), where he oversaw the financial success of the managed and asset-managed hotels in the portfolio, while ensuring each property maintained brand compliance.