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Personnel Profile

Whether at the property, company or association level, an environmental program cannot be successful without a leader championing the cause. Green Lodging News is always looking for “green” champions to profile. Who at your organization deserves to be featured? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Personnel Profile

Home Personnel Profile
Whether at the property, company or association level, an environmental program cannot be successful without a leader championing the cause. Green Lodging News is always looking for “green” champions to profile. Who at your organization deserves to be featured? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Rebecca Marshall Monitors, Maintains Sustainability Program at New York’s Busy Jacob K. Javits Center

Name: Rebecca MarshallTitle: Energy and Sustainability ManagerCompany: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New YorkYears in position: Two Primary responsibilities: “My primary responsibilities are monitoring and maintaining our sustainability program and ensuring that the facility is complying with the State mandates regarding sustainability such as Executive Orders 4 and 88.”Convention Center’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “The green roof has become a signature feature of our recent top-to-bottom renovation. As the second largest of its kind in the country, the nearly seven-acre green roof is serving as a model for sustainability nationwide, reducing our energy consumption while becoming a living...

Dominie Lenz Appointed General Manager of Furnace Creek Resort

DEATH VALLEY, CALIF.—Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. announced the appointment of Dominie Lenz as General Manager of Furnace Creek Resort, located in Death Valley National Park. In this role, Lenz will oversee all operations of both the AAA four-diamond, 66-room Inn at Furnace Creek and the 224-room, family-friendly Ranch at Furnace Creek. “We are delighted to welcome Dominie into her new role,” says Gordon Taylor, Vice President Operations South, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Inc. “Her tenure with Xanterra Parks & Resorts and commitment to excellence in the hospitality and food and beverage industries mean she is in the perfect position...

Joe Velasquez Appointed General Manager of Shore Hotel

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Shore Hotel, a leader in sustainability among Santa Monica’s luxury hotels, announces the appointment of hotel veteran Joe Velasquez to its executive team as General Manager. Velasquez brings more than two decades of experience in the luxury hotel business, including success at brands in California, Arizona, and Hawaii.“We know that Joe will bring the expertise and experience Shore Hotel needs to continue providing the highest level of service on which the hotel prides itself,” says CEO Steve Farzam. “Shore Hotel is an extraordinary escape destination where we value our guests and know that Joe will further our...

Wolfgang M. Neumann is New Chairman of International Tourism Partnership

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO of Rezidor, is the new Chairman of the International Tourism Partnership (ITP). He succeeds Ian Carter, President, Development, Architecture and Construction for Hilton Worldwide who steps down after four years. “It is an honor to succeed Ian Carter as Chairman of ITP,” Neumann said. “Responsible business must be an essential element of any business strategy today and tomorrow—we must care for our planet and our people. I look forward to continue to join forces with our peers and to keep sustainability high on the agenda of the international hotel industry.”During Carter’s tenure...

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Names Peter Laugharn New President & CEO

AGOURA HILLS, CALIF.—The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, which has awarded $1 billion in grants in the United States and around the world to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people, named Peter Laugharn its incoming President and CEO, effective January 1, 2016. Laugharn has 25 years of foundation and nonprofit experience internationally, focusing on improving the wellbeing of vulnerable children. He most recently served as executive director of the Firelight Foundation, a Hilton Foundation grantee.“I am truly excited to join an organization that I have long admired for its accomplishments both domestically and internationally,” Laugharn said. “I am...

IHG’s Lindsay Wilkinson Helps Push Company Toward 100 Percent IHG Green Engage Participation

Name: Lindsay WilkinsonTitle: Manager—Environmental Sustainability, Corporate ResponsibilityCompany: InterContinental Hotels GroupYears in position: TwoPrimary responsibilities: “I oversee integration of programs in the Americas and China. I also have some key functional responsibilities with sales, brand and operational teams. I manage our relationship with Clean the World and serve on the Global Business Travel Alliance Sustainability Committee.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “Our IHG Green Engage system. It was launched in 2009. The tool is our online sustainability platform. Hoteliers have access to more than 200 solutions.”Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenges moving forward: “Things like fuel usage and energy consumption. Another...

Jim Houser Promoted to President Parks & Resorts Business at Delaware North

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Jim Houser has been promoted to president of Delaware North’s parks and resorts business, as well as company operations in Australia and Asia. Houser most recently served as COO of the parks and resorts business and company operations in Australia and Asia. A Delaware North veteran of more than 35 years, Houser began his career as a vendor with Delaware North Sportservice and steadily climbed the ranks to become general manager of the company’s operation at the former Cinergy Field in Cincinnati. Houser was promoted to director of labor relations and then chief operating officer of Delaware North...

Caesars Entertainment’s Jan Jones Blackhurst Awarded 2015 CSR Professional of the Year

LAS VEGAS—Caesars Entertainment Corporation’s Jan Jones Blackhurst, Executive Vice President of Communications, Government Relations and Corporate Responsibility, was recently recognized as the “2015 CSR Professional of the Year” by PR News. This award honors the most powerful, highest impact and most inspiring individuals leading CSR efforts for their organizations and beyond. This year’s finalists included Bob Langert from McDonald’s Corp., Angela Peruso from Verizon Foundation, and Tessie Tapel from Time Warner Cable, to name a few.“I am humbled by this recognition from PR News as CSR Professional of the Year,” said Jan Jones Blackhurst. “I have been fortunate in...

Fairmont Reaches Emissions Reduction Goal Under Leadership of Jane Mackie

Name: Jane MackieTitle: Vice President, Fairmont BrandCompany: Fairmont Hotels & ResortsYears in position: A year and one-halfPrimary responsibilities: Mackie is responsible for developing brand strategy, focusing on refining and articulating the brand positioning and communicating Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand messaging. She also defines strategies that further enhance Fairmont’s competitive position in the luxury hotel segment. In addition, Mackie leads a dedicated brand team in setting brand standards for product, service and communications as well as Fairmont’s sustainability strategies.  Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: Reducing operational CO2 emissions by 20 percent below 2006 levels. “The large portion of our...

St. Lucia Hotelier Karolin Troubetzkoy Named Chairman of Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism

ST. LUCIA—A prominent Caribbean hotelier, Karolin Troubetzkoy, has been appointed Chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST). The appointment is the latest Caribbean tourism sector leadership role for Troubetzkoy, who serves as Executive Director of the storied Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet resorts in Soufrière, St. Lucia.“It is with great honor that I accept this role of promoting responsible environmental and social management within the region’s hotel and tourism sector,” said Troubetzkoy, who will work alongside the recently appointed CAST Technical Director, Denaye Hinds, the Sustainability Director for OBMI—a leading Caribbean-based architectural and master planning firm.Troubetzkoy, who...