MEMPHIS, Tenn., February 25, 2008 � Davidson Hotel Company (DHC), one
of the nation�s largest hotel management companies, today announced it
has promoted six general managers to head up new properties in its rapidly
expanding portfolio of managed hotels. All are being recognized for
their strong performance at other DHC hotels.
�As we continue to grow at a rapid pace, it is necessary for us to continually
increase and improve the bench strength of our management team,� said John
Belden, Davidson�s president and chief executive officer. �We have
signed 12 new management contracts within the past 18 months and needed
to put into place qualified individuals who have the proven ability to
help these properties reach their full potential.�
The new general managers and their properties include:
� Marisa Serrano, Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter �
Serrano has held a variety of management positions within the hospitality
industry during her 20-year career, including general manager of the Marriott
Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo., and the Adam�s Mark Hotel in Colorado
Springs, Colo. She was general manager of DHC�s Kansas City Marriott
for the past three and a half years, where she vastly improved revenue
per available room (RevPAR) and guest satisfaction scores prior to accepting
the San Diego position. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina.
� Michael Sanders, Hilton San Antonio Airport � A 15-year hospitality
veteran, Sanders has been general manager at a number of properties, including
the Wyndham Nashville and Marriott Plaza San Antonio. After taking
a temporary hiatus from DHC to return to his home state of Texas, he was
offered and accepted the San Antonio opportunity. He earned his Bachelor
of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston�s
Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
� Mark Herron, Cleveland Embassy Suites � Herron most recently
was general manager of the DHC-operated Pittsburgh Embassy Suites.
Under his tenure there, the hotel enjoyed significantly increased guest
satisfaction scores and currently is ranked eighth in Food & Beverage
Customer Satisfaction within the Embassy Suites brand. With more
than 25 years experience in the hospitality industry, Herron began his
career as regional controller of Radisson Hotels for the Minneapolis office
and has held a variety of increasingly important positions, including hotel
manager for the Wyndham Anatole in Dallas, the Franklin Plaza in Philadelphia
and general manager of the Hilton Little Rock Metro Center in Arkansas.
� Nanci Haley, Hilton Gainesville � Previously, Haley was general
manager of DHC�s Embassy Suites Cleveland/Beachwood Hotel in Ohio, where
she improved the hotel�s RevPAR from last to first place in its market.
Her roles within the industry include director of guest services at the
Wyndham Myrtle Beach, hotel manager of the Wyndham Chicago and general
manager of the Wyndham Cleveland. She received her Bachelor of Science
in Hospitality Management and her Masters Degree in International Business,
both from Johnson & Wales University.
� Mansour Njie, Pittsburgh Embassy Suites � Njie was promoted
to his new position after having been hotel manager of the Chicago Renaissance
North Shore. He began his career with DHC in 2002 and previously
held positions with Omni Hotels, Boykin and Starwood. Originally
from Gambia, West Africa, he came to the United States in 1981 and received
a bachelor�s degree from Oklahoma State University.
� Kelly Spinski, Marriott Kansas City Country Club Plaza � Spinski
has spent the past 11 years at the Marriott Kansas City Country Club Plaza.
While there, she has held a number of positions, including director of
catering and food & beverage director, most recently culminating in
hotel manager. A 25-year hospitality veteran, Spinski has held a
variety of industry positions, including catering manager at the Adams
Mark Hotel in Kansas City and sales manager for a Dallas-based catering
company. She is a certified Professional Catering Executive, Meeting
Planner and Marriott Wedding Consultant.
About Davidson Hotel Company
Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Davidson Hotel Company is an award-winning,
full-service hotel owner and third-party management company that provides
management, development/renovation, acquisition, consulting and accounting
expertise for the hospitality industry. The company currently owns
and/or manages 30 upscale hotels with nearly 8,800 rooms across the United
States, including such brands as Westin, Sheraton, Hyatt, Hilton, Hilton
Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Marriott, Renaissance, Crowne Plaza
and Holiday Inn. Additional information on Davidson may be found
at the company�s Web site, www.davidsonhotels.com. |