INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Leadership roles are being filled across the industry. Here’s a look:
Riber Appointed Sandals Managing Director Europe
Dominik Riber has been named managing director Europe at Sandals Resorts International.
In this role, he is responsible for the strategy and growth of the hotel group in the region, leading an initial team of seven sales directors and business development directors located across continental Europe.
Riber joins Sandals Resorts with a decade of experience in the international tourism industry, having held leadership roles at Tourico Holidays and Peakwork. He joins a team of sales and business development professionals spread across Europe. Svenja Wendlandt and Juliette Thronberens will lead sales in Central and Northern Europe alongside Magalie Sueur as head of business development, while Christian Casagrande and Valentine Noe are responsible for sales in Southern Europe. Elena Sokolova is responsible for managing the Eastern European market.
Stay Open Names Film Director Ben Fee CCO
Stay Open, the Los Angeles-based startup transforming unused commercial space into pod hotels and co-living properties, has appointed film director Ben Fee as chief creative officer (CCO) to oversee brand strategy and creative design for the “Sleep As A Service” platform.
In his new position, Fee—who lives between Malmö, Sweden, and Los Angeles—will manage content strategy, along with design for the company’s web and proprietary app, which will match guests and residences, while introducing local experiences in each destination. He will also oversee partnerships, merchandising and eventually live events for each property, while creating an overall vibe for the properties. In addition, Fee will oversee nonprofit efforts for the brand on issues including homelessness.
With more than two decades of experience in the creative and visual arts as a writer, director, photographer and cinematographer—and having worked with visionaries such as Hunter S. Thompson and documentary film director and producer Alex Gibney—Fee brings a unique perspective to Stay Open, tapping into a well of imagination and aesthetic expertise, according to the company.
American Express Elects Thomas Baltimore to Board of Directors
Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., chairman/CEO/president of Park Hotels & Resorts Inc., has been elected to American Express Company’s board of directors.
“Tom is a highly-respected leader in the hospitality industry, with over 30 years of experience, including more than two decades in senior executive roles navigating global organizations through significant changes in travel and lodging,” said Stephen J. Squeri, chairman/CEO, American Express. “He also brings extensive capital markets knowledge, and I know our Board will benefit greatly from his insights as we continue to execute our strategy and make investments to structure the company for long term growth.”
Baltimore has led Park Hotels & Resorts since 2016 when he joined the company shortly before its spin-off from Hilton. In 2017, he was elected chairman of the board.
In addition to Park Hotels & Resorts’ board, he serves on the board of Prudential Financial Inc., and sits on the executive board of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, the boards of the University of Virginia Investment Management Company and The Real Estate Roundtable, and the executive committee of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.