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...

CHICAGO—Aparium Hotel Group, a leading hotel company specializing in management and development of independent properties across the United States, announces the appointment of Sean Castady as General Manager for The Charmant Hotel, a boutique and historically relevant hotel in La Crosse, Wis. In his role, Castady will direct and oversee all daily operations of the former chocolate factory turned 67-room hotel, scheduled to open in the Summer of 2015.  “Sean’s past experience with reputable brands and award winning boutique hotels will complement our translocal philosophy perfectly,” said Kevin Robinson, Chief Operating Officer/Managing Partner, Aparium Hotel Group. “More importantly, Sean...

LAS VEGAS—Trump International Hotel Las Vegas announced the appointment of Sydney Jones as the hotel’s new executive sous chef. Jones, known for using cutting edge and progressive cooking techniques, oversees all aspects of culinary operations at Trump International Hotel Las Vegas including its in-room dining, meetings and banquet facilities and DJT, the hotel’s signature restaurant. With an impressive culinary background that includes positions at some of the country’s most prestigious resorts and notable dining destinations, Jones brings a flare for cooking with Italian influences and a passion for utilizing local, seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients to his new role.“Executive Sous Chef...

Name: Jeff Benavides, LEED AP O+MTitle: Energy & Sustainability Specialist, Resort ManagementOrganization: Wyndham Vacation OwnershipYears with organization: Five Years in current position: 1.5 Primary responsibilities: “We manage all energy, water and waste tracking and reduction initiatives and assist resort properties with energy conservation projects. We analyze product proposals and work with national product managers with FFE and amenities. The sustainability team provides educational resources for all of our resort staff—for any sustainability-related initiatives or training. Also, I help administer Green Tool Box, an enterprise-wide energy and sustainability tracking software used for performance reporting, site level energy management and GHG...