People on the move at Aimbridge, Huazhu Group and more

Executives in the hospitality industry have taken new roles. Here’s a look:

Andrew Rubinacci joins Aimbridge Hospitality
Aimbridge Hospitality has selected Andrew Rubinacci as EVP of its revenue strategy division. He will be instrumental in shaping the company’s revenue strategy initiatives while capitalizing on big data, innovation and the talent within its revenue group to drive market share gains for the Aimbridge portfolio.

Rubinacci brings a results-driven approach and a wealth of experience to the role including global oversight for one of the world’s largest hospitality brands, according to the company. He will establish efficiencies through strategy and automation while leveraging industry relationships to optimize channel mix and segmentation to grow revenue and share.

A 25-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Rubinacci most recently served as EVP/chief commercial officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts. He joined Omni in 2018 as SVP, revenue & distribution and was instrumental in helping modernize revenue management, distribution, call centers and digital platforms, including bringing on best-in-class partners and evolving the brand’s reporting to drive greater efficiencies and stronger business results. In 2019, he was promoted to EVP/chief commercial officer where he oversaw all marketing, digital and loyalty.

Prior to Omni, he was with IHG Hotels & Resorts for 16 years, notably as SVP, revenue management & distribution for four years leading revenue and distribution strategies for all IHG channels globally. For three years, he was based in London as VP, distribution marketing & revenue management, managing channel distribution and revenue strategies for Europe, Middle East and Africa for IHG’s family of brands.

Huazhu Group Limited CFO to resign
Huazhu Group Limited, which operates nearly 6,900 hotels in 16 countries, has revealed that Teo Nee Chuan will resign as CFO for personal reasons, effective May 10. Hui Chen, chief compliance officer of the company since February 2020, has been appointed to replace Chuan.

Chen has deep financial management expertise in the travel and hotel industries in China, according to the company. She was the CFO of Cjia Group Limited, a Huazhu affiliate company providing apartment services, from March 2018-February 2020. From 2014-early 2016, she served as Huazhu’s EVP of finance responsible for internal financial management and CFO. Her previous work experiences also include CFO of Home Inns Group and finance director of Ctrip.com.

Dong Li, Huazhu’s chief accounting officer, and Fei Ye, the VP, strategic investment and capital market, have been appointed to serve as deputy CFOs of the company, effective May 10.

Madison Realty Capital names Urian Yap CFO
Urian Yap has joined Madison Realty Capital, a fully integrated real estate private equity firm focused on debt and equity investment strategies, to serve as the company’s CFO.

He most recently served as SVP at The Blackstone Group, where he led both the global loan operations team of Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies (BREDS), representing more than $20 billion of gross assets, as well as the financial reporting team for Blackstone Mortgage Trust Inc. Prior to joining Blackstone, he was the assistant controller at Colony Capital for the firm’s platform of public and non-traded companies, which included both REITs and vehicles governed by the Investment Company Act of 1940.