SAN FRANCISCO—Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has named Mike DeFrino the company’s new chief operating officer.
As COO, DeFrino is responsible for national sales and marketing, revenue and distribution, catering, facilities, guest experience and sustainability and social responsibility initiatives. He also oversees operational aspects of new hotels, such as construction and opening as well as the transition of purchased or new managed hotels in the portfolio, in addition to the implementation of its management systems and training on Kimpton’s approach.
DeFrino is a 16-year veteran of the company. Previously, he served as executive vice president of hotel operations. He is the third COO in Kimpton’s 32-year history.
The new COO’s career with Kimpton began when he served as general manager of the Alexis Hotel before being promoted to oversee a number of Kimpton’s Midwest locations in Chicago.
In March 2001, DeFrino was appointed to the company’s first East Coast vice president in Washington, DC. Defrino then moved to San Francisco in 2006 and became the senior vice president of hotels, and eventually executive vice president of hotels.
Prior to joining Kimpton, DeFrino worked for ANA Hotels in Washington, DC, and Ritz-Carlson Hotels in Atlanta, Detroit and Los Angeles.