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...

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—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...

CHICAGO—Ryan McKenzie has been appointed General Manager at Chicago’s newest downtown hotel, the LEED Certified Hampton Inn Chicago Michigan Avenue, opening June 2015. The hotel’s owner, Integrated Motor Club LLC, an affiliate of Murphy Asset Management (MAM), has invested substantially into the transformation of one of Chicago’s finest Art Deco buildings, the historic 1928 Chicago Motor Club Building. Opening in the heart of Downtown Chicago at 68 E. Wacker Place, just steps from the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park and the Theater District, Hampton Inn Chicago Michigan Avenue will feature a grand, three-story Art Deco lobby, a 67-seat 1920s-style cocktail...

Name: Judy PinesTitle: Director Strategic Sourcing Sustainability & Special ProjectsCompany: Hilton WorldwideYears in position: Almost one yearPrimary responsibilities: “I am the lead sustainability resource within Hilton Supply Management with responsibility for the coordination of all global sustainability and corporate responsibility strategy and planning.”   Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment in the area of strategic sourcing: “Implementation of our mattress recycling program.”  Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge in the area of strategic sourcing: “Driving awareness and helping owners to see the value of being sustainable. Also, learning how to look at the total cost of ownership.”  MCLEAN, VA.—Last year Hilton Worldwide...

Name: Naomi MirskyTitle: Vice President of Sustainability and InnovationCompany: Denihan Hospitality GroupYears in position: Almost one yearPrimary responsibilities: “Focusing on enhancing the financial performance and efficiency of the company’s portfolio, as well as the health and wellness of Denihan’s associates and customers. Developing a cohesive strategy so Denihan can get full value from what it does in the area of sustainability. Understanding where the industry and technology is going and bringing that back to Denihan to develop best practices.”   Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment so far: “Getting utility data into a format so that we can start using the...

LAS VEGAS—Two top executives at MGM Resorts International have been recognized for their contributions in diversity, philanthropy and sustainability. Phyllis A. James, Executive Vice President, Special Counsel-Litigation and Chief Diversity Officer for MGM Resorts International, has been named one of 2014’s most influential women in corporate America by Savoy Magazine.Cindy Ortega, Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President for MGM Resorts International, was named one of the 10 most powerful women in sustainability by Green Building & Design (GB&D).“These honors demonstrate the effect that both Phyllis and Cindy have had in CSR, not just for our company but for...

SEATTLE—Paladino and Company, a leading sustainability and green building consulting firm, announced Dina Belon LEED AP ID&C is joining the company as a Director on its senior management team. Belon, who brings two decades of sustainability experience in the development and hospitality industries, will be responsible for working with Paladino’s clients to implement results-driven high performance building strategies.  “Dina has an incredible reputation for delivering measurable results through sustainable development,” said Paladino founder and CEO Tom Paladino. “Adding her expertise to our team will be instrumental as we continue in our quest to help our clients innovate and get...

YOUNTVILLE, CALIF.—Bardessono, the LEED Platinum certified wine country hotel located in Yountville in the heart of Napa Valley, announced that its General Manager Jim Treadway was named “General Manager of the Year” in the Small Property category by the California Hotel & Lodging Assn. This award honors a hotelier who has demonstrated superior professionalism in operating a CH&LA member property and has taken a leadership role in the industry by actively participating in association, community or industry programs.“I’m honored by this prestigious CH&LA award, but running a high-performing small luxury hotel is a team sport,” said Jim Treadway, General...

Name: Harith WickremaTitle: Chief Visionary OfficerProperty: Eco Serendib Villa and SpaYears property open: Three Primary responsibilities: “One of my most important responsibilities as chief visionary officer is to ensure the villa stays true to the original concept.”   Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “Educating guests while using resources to give back to the St. John Community.”  Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge: “Recycling. On St. John we don’t have recycling. Garbage gets shipped to St. Thomas.”  ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—As Chief Visionary Officer and owner of the eight-suite Eco Serendib Villa and Spa on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, Harith...