Who’s Where in Travel: New at AmaWaterways, CWT

AmaWaterways, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and a number of hotel companies made major new executive appointments this week. 

Niklas Andréen
Niklas Andréen

AmaWaterways promoted Alex Pinelo to the newly created position of vice president, national accounts. The river cruise line said that the promotion reflects the expanded responsibility and senior level leadership that Pinelo has exhibited since joining the company a year ago as director, Latin American sales and, most recently, as director, national accounts. Prior to joining AmaWaterways Pinelo served as vice president of key accounts for Norwegian Cruise Line in Miami

In TMC news, this week Carlson Wagonlit Travel announced the appointment of Niklas Andréen as executive vice president and chief traveler experience officer, effective September 2018. In the new role he will report to CWT President and CEO Kurt Ekert and oversee worldwide Traveler Services, which is being rebranded as Traveler Experience to align against CWT’s 3.0 digital strategy and an holistic approach to customer experience across all channels, the company said. He will take over these responsibilities from Matt Beatty, who has decided to leave the company later this year after 25 years with CWT. Niklas is currently senior vice president and managing director of hospitality, car, digital media, corporate and digital (beyond air) at Travelport.

In hotel news, Hawaii-based hotel and resort management company Aqua-Aston Hospitality has named Lesli Reynolds to the role of senior vice president of operations, where she will be responsible for overseeing the company’s global operations across five owned brands. Reynolds hails from Omni Hotels & Resorts, where she had spent 20 years, most recently serving as the company’s senior vice president of revenue. 

Also in Hawaii, this week Ka’anapali Beach Hotel announced three new hires: Patty Villarimo Curimao, Ohana Fun Center manager; Alexander (Alika) Guerrero, director of Pookela; and Kongbay Moua, marketing manager.

In other hotel news, this week major wellness brand Canyon Ranch appointed David Varley as its vice president of food and beverage. With a culinary degree from New York’s Culinary Institute of America, Varley brings with him an extensive background in hospitality, having worked in various top-tier restaurants including Lespinasse in New York City, Clio in Boston, MA, The Ryland Inn in White House, NJ, and Parcel 104 in Santa Clara, CA.

Luxury hotel group Grace Hotels appointed Andy Ross as regional director of sales and marketing, Americas this week. With 20 years’ experience in commercial roles within the hospitality industry, Andy joined Grace Hotels from Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, where he was regional director of sales and marketing. Prior to this, he spent 12 years at various hotels and resorts in New England.

A number of individual properties also made new appointments this week:

  • Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya named Pascal Dupuis as its new general manager.
  • California’s Carmel Valley Ranch appointed Kara Adamson as director of sales.
  • Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans has hired Adrienne Breaux as its new director of sales and marketing.
  • Finally, Grand Isle Resort & Spa in Exuma named Lester Scott as managing director.

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