(ASHEVILLE, NC –07/09/12) McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc. is pleased to announce that Asheville residents Christine Kavanagh, Emma Kaye Ledbetter and Gary Steuber have joined General Manager Catherine Harris as part of the Aloft Asheville Downtown management team. The new hotel at 51 Biltmore Avenue is slated to open in August.

Christine Kavanagh is the Director of Sales for the hotel. An Asheville native, she attended University of North Carolina Asheville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in literature. She started her career in the event marketing industry, where she held a senior management position. Most recently, Christine worked as Corporate Sales Manager for Biltmore Farms Hotels.

Emma Kaye Ledbetter is another Asheville native who serves as Aloft’s Operations Manager. After receiving a degree in hospitality from Asheville Buncombe Tech in 2006, Emma joined McKibbon as a front desk associate for the Courtyard Asheville. She completed McKibbon’s Manager in Training program in 2007 and went on to serve as Assistant General Manager and Operations Manager for several McKibbon properties throughout the Southeast before returning to her hometown of Asheville to join the Aloft team. Emma volunteers for many local organizations, including the Manna Food Bank, Hands on Asheville, Full Moon Farms Wolf DogRescue and the Asheville Downtown Association. She is also a member of Asheville Young Professionals.

Aloft Asheville’s Food and Beverage Director, Gary Steuber, has been an Asheville resident for over 15 years. Gary has a degree in business administration and holds certifications as a Certified Food and Beverage Executive and a Certified Hospitality Supervisor. He is also a member of the Wine Guild of American Certified Sommeliers. Gary has worked as a Food and Beverage Director for Davidson Hotels, Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, and most recently the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville. Gary serves the community through several area organizations including March of Dimes, Manna Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Mission Hospitals, American Culinary Federation and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. He has also acted as Chair for Grove Park Inn Mind, Body Spirit Committee.

As the hotel moves closer to opening day in August, applications are currently being accepted for re:fresh room, laundry and public area talent; W xyz® bartenders and servers; chef and culinary talent; maintenance talent; front desk talent and a night auditor. Resumes and applications can be sent to Aloft Asheville Downtown General Manager Catherine Harris at [email protected] or phone (828) 232-2838 for more information.

The Aloft Hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Asheville at 51 Biltmore Avenue, The hotel features 115 loft-style rooms (including four suites) with a contemporary, urban feel, along with unique amenities, including the W xyz® bar and dining with the Biltmore Balcony outdoor deck; Starbucks® coffee bar and breakfast; a third-floor outdoor pool deck known as Air Level, with cabanas and a bar overlooking the surroundingmountains; and a comprehensive art collection featuring local artists.

About McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc./McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc.
McKibbon Hotel Group, Inc., based in Gainesville, Georgia, is a privately owned enterprise that has grown into an award-winning premier real estate developer and owner of nationally franchised hotel brands for Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and Hyatt hotels.  McKibbon is proud to be a recognized leader for over 87 years in the hospitality industry, and McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc., based in Tampa, Florida, currently operates over 65 mid and upscale brands in 8 states throughout the Southeast.  The company has a rich history and culture that promotes a family oriented environment, while holding true to its core values of honesty, integrity and loyalty.  For more information, visit www.mckibbon.com.