SAN FRANCISCO—The InterContinental San Francisco announces the appointment of  as the new director of operations. Holding an extensive background within the InterContinental Hotel Group, Laginia was most recently working as the hotel’s director of rooms, responsible for day-to-day operations and overseeing the front office, housekeeping, security and IT departments at the LEED certified 550-room hotel located in San Francisco’s South of Market (SOMA) district. Laginia first joined the InterContinental Hotel Group in September 2000, assisting with front desk and front office operations and management at the InterContinental Tamanaco in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2006 Laginia joined the team at the InterContinental...

ATLANTA—IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, has named Paul Snyder to be vice president, corporate responsibility in the Americas region. He officially began his new role on June 27, 2011. Based in Atlanta, Snyder will work with the region’s president Kirk Kinsell and his senior executive team and will report to David Jerome, senior vice president, corporate responsibility, IHG in Denham, U.K. Snyder leads the implementation of sustainability and community efforts throughout IHG hotels. He manages the regions’ public affairs activities, working closely with the corporate affairs, human resources and legal departments with...

Name: Darin Sand, LEED APTitle: Director of SustainabilityOrganization: Goodman Realty Group, Albuquerque, N.M.Years with Goodman Realty Group: Six yearsYears with current title: Three yearsPrimary responsibilities: “I oversee the company’s sustainability initiatives and programs, including LEED certification. I oversee historic preservation projects, financial incentives. I am also executive director of the Cultural Center of the Southwest.”Organization’s most significant environment-related accomplishment so far: “The green renovation of the Hotel Andaluz.”Organization’s most significant environment-related challenge: “Our solar thermal system is so efficient that we need to find more usage for the hot water.” ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Behind every successful green hotel project is an environmental...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—For his stewardship to the hospitality industry and his leadership with various hospitality technology projects over the past 20 years, Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), will be inducted into the International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. The induction will take place at the 2011 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) keynote session on Tuesday, June 21 at 8:30 a.m. Under Wolfe’s leadership, HITEC, produced by HFTP, has grown to become the largest hospitality technology conference in the world. “HITEC is one of the most essential events in our industry, and there is...

Name: Gwen MigitaTitle: Director of Sustainability & Community EngagementOrganization: Caesars Entertainment Corp. (formerly Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.)Years with Caesars Entertainment (& Harrah’s): Seven years Years with current title: Less than onePrimary responsibilities: “Overseeing sustainability strategy and programs for Caesars Entertainment. I focus on social responsibility, corporate philanthropy and employee voluntourism policies.”Organization’s most significant environment-related accomplishment so far: “Since 2003, we have invested more than $60 million on more than 100 projects. This investment has resulted in $20 million in savings each year. We are saving enough energy to run three mega-resorts annually.”Organization’s most significant environment-related challenge: “Making sure we are...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—The Rezidor Hotel Group has appointed Inge Huijbrechts as new Director Responsible Business. She succeeds Sarah Rooney who has left Rezidor. “We are delighted to welcome Inge Huijbrechts to Rezidor,” said Kurt Ritter, president & CEO of Rezidor. “She brings 15 years of international experience in the areas of corporate social responsibility and sales and business development with her and will further strengthen our dynamic team. Doing business in a responsible way is crucial for us. We were one of the first international hotel groups to implement our own Responsible Business Program in 1989, and we aim to...

Name: Karlene HollomanTitle: Senior V.P. of OperationsOrganization: Joie De Vivre HospitalityYears with Joie De Vivre Hospitality: Almost 13 yearsYears in current position: 5 yearsPrimary responsibilities: “My main objective is to make sure all hotels meet the objectives of their business plans.” Organization’s most significant environment-related accomplishment so far: “The LEED certification of the Hotel Carlton. The general manager of the hotel at that time took the lead. The hotel earned LEED Gold and we were thrilled with that.”Organization’s most significant environment-related challenge: “So many of our buildings are older. We do fabulous renovations but we have to put a...

DALLAS—Accor North America, one of the largest hotel chain owners and operators in North America, announced 10 employee promotions for 2011 as part of the company’s ongoing effort to reward the contributions of team members and provide professional growth opportunities. One of the 10 promotions involves Renee Swoger. Renee has been promoted to Director of Energy & Environment Services. In less than two years, Swoger has made significant progress on Accor’s energy and sustainability programs. She piloted the Green Key Certification program in 2010, which will expand to all corporate locations and franchises in 2011. Swoger led the company’s first...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels & Resorts announced that Sal Mendoza has been named Vice President of Global Diversity and Inclusion, reporting to Robb Webb, Chief Human Resources Officer. In this newly created position, Mendoza will be responsible for the development of a core global framework for Hyatt that enhances the company’s diverse and inclusive workplace and focuses on strategies that can be implemented locally by colleagues around the world. “I am delighted to appoint Sal to this new position,” said Robb Webb, Chief Human Resources Officer. “With his guidance, we’ve made great strides in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, which have...

Name: Debbie FriedelTitle: Director of SustainabilityOrganization: Delaware North Companies Parks & ResortsYears with Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts: EightYears in current position: Three Primary responsibilities: Debbie Friedel is responsible for implementing and managing environmental, interpretive, facilities stewardship and sustainability programs for Delaware North Companies’ Parks & Resorts division.Organization’s most significant environment-related accomplishment so far: “The most significant is voluntarily implementing GreenPath at our properties. It’s verified by a third party which adds credibility. We have to show continuous improvement. GreenPath is a process and we are never done.”Organization’s most significant environment-related challenge: “Getting our guests and associates to...