OAK BROOK, ILL.—Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center has announced the appointment of Sean Patrick Curry as Executive Chef. In his new role, Chef Curry is responsible for menu creation and daily culinary operations at the hotel and its restaurants, Windows and The Grille. In the coming weeks, Chef Curry will revamp the food culture at Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center, elevating the banquet and catering service and introducing what he refers to as modern farm cuisine.“Chef Curry brings an exceptional talent to the Hilton team, beginning with an innovative vision and an inspirational...

Name: Tom GriffinTitle: Executive Director, Virginia Green Travel AlliancePrimary responsibilities: Through the Virginia Green Travel Alliance, Tom’s primary tasks are to support and expand the marketing and outreach efforts of the Virginia Green program and provide training and certification opportunities, technical assistance and auditing services, and develop innovative marketing partnerships. Organization’s most significant accomplishment so far: “We are really just ramping up but what I am really excited about is our staff-level education series,” Griffin says. Organization’s most significant challenge: “Funding is one of our challenges and we are looking for different types of partnerships,” Griffin adds. RICHMOND, VA.—This...

MILL VALLEY, CALIF.—Auberge Resorts Collection, owner and operator of boutique luxury hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs, announced that Ken Springer has joined the company as Vice President of Design and Construction. In this newly created position, Springer will oversee all aspects of new construction and capital expenditures on current and future Auberge properties.“Ken possesses a reputation for the highest degree of attention to detail and design, as well as timely execution at each step of the development process,” said Craig Reid, Chief Executive Officer, Auberge Resorts Collection. “His professionalism and experience will be invaluable to Auberge as we...

Name: Erin RowlandTitle: Sustainability CoordinatorOrganization: Oregon Convention Center Years: Almost two yearsPrimary responsibilities: “Every day is very different. When we were working on LEED certification, I was working on policy and employee training. Now, I am working on strategic planning—determining how we can continue to push the envelope in how we operate our building.”Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment so far: “The most obvious is the recertification at LEED Platinum. Our center was not built to any LEED standards. It shows we have committed to improving our building operations over a decade.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge: “We feel proud...

DUCK, N.C.—Sanderling Resort, the Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond property on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, welcomes Chef de Cuisine John Botkin to the Lifesaving Station culinary team. The restaurant, which reopened last spring in conjunction with the property’s redesign, embraces the coastal Carolina region through its seafood-centric menu—a fitting destination for Chef Botkin and his expertise in seafood.At Lifesaving Station, Chef Botkin will continue the restaurant’s focus on S.O.A.L. cuisine—sustainable, organic, artisanal, and local—under the aegis of Executive Chef Jeffrey Russell. Menu highlights include the Grilled Carolina Grouper with hoppin john, smokey spinach, and maque...

OAK BROOK, ILL.—Oak Brook Hills Resort announces the appointment of Stefan Mühle as General Manager. Bringing over 25 years of hospitality experience to the property, 12 of those with Portfolio Hotels & Resorts, Mühle oversees all operations at the renowned IACC Certified convention resort soon to become a member of the Hilton brand this summer. The resort features 386 guestrooms including 38 suites, 42,500 square feet of meetings space, and the award-winning Willow Crest Golf Club, a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, preserving and enhancing wildlife habitat and protecting resources.“Seasoned leaders such as Stefan have the ability to bring heart...

Name: Rocio HammershaimbTitle: Sustainability Manager—The Americas Organization: Starwood Hotels & Resorts WorldwideYears with organization: 27Years in current position: onePrimary responsibilities: “I support our hotels so they can reach their sustainability goals. We want sustainability embedded in everything we do.”  Organization’s most significant sustainability-related accomplishment: “Working with organizations that help children. We have also had success in reducing energy and water and carbon. We just launched a Starwood Cares for the Community program.” Organization’s most significant sustainability-related challenge: “Keeping up with all of our initiatives and maintaining a consistent approach for our guests.” STAMFORD, CONN.—If you chat with Rocio Hammershaimb about...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corp., announced that Ted Lorenzi has been named Vice President of Engineering and Sustainability. Lorenzi joins the company with more than 30 years of hospitality experience in operational planning and corporate facility management roles.In his new role, Lorenzi will be responsible for the development, advancement and implementation of engineering, environmental and energy management strategies and sustainability programs throughout the Marcus Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Prior to joining Marcus Hotels & Resorts he served as Senior Director, Engineering Design and Operations for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group in Minneapolis. His responsibilities...

HOUSTON—Everyone at ForrestPerkins mourns the loss and celebrates the life of our colleague and dear friend, Clifford R. Tuttle, who passed away May 20 at 11:20 p.m. in Houston. He was with his loving family and is survived by his brother, Philip I. Tuttle and his wife Sharon, his niece, Kelly Day, her husband Alan and their son Brooks, and his nephew Robert and his wife Leigh and their son Weston. An award-winning interior designer, Cliff Tuttle managed the interior design practice in the San Francisco office of luxury hotel design firm ForrestPerkins. He joined ForrestPerkins at its founding in...

NEW YORK—Hotel sustainability will be in the national spotlight on television beginning May 26 on Showtime. It is then, at 8 p.m. EST, that sustainability consultant Scott Miller will be featured along with Caesars Entertainment Corp. on Showtime’s nine-part series, “Years of Living Dangerously.” The series was produced by executive producers including James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger and five others. The show on which Miller appears was produced by Joel Bach and David Gelber. There are 14 correspondents who conduct interviews during the series. Among them are Lesley Stahl, Matt Damon, Harrison Ford, and Jessica Alba. Miller was interviewed by...