Hilton, Loews, and Driftwood Reveal Executive Appointments

Major hospitality brands and investment firms have completed a wave of leadership appointments across operations, asset management, and property-level oversight. As reported by Lodging Magazine, Hilton appointed Kolin Pound to run regional operations across the Caribbean and Latin America, Loews promoted Stephen Cummings to lead Universal Orlando properties, and Driftwood Capital unified its equity and credit arms under co-chief investment officers David Resnick and David Steiner [1].

Who is leading corporate and investment changes at Driftwood and Hilton?

Driftwood Capital unified its investment operations under a single leadership team by naming David Resnick partner and co-chief investment officer, alongside David Steiner, co-founder of the firm's credit platform, who was promoted to co-CIO [1]. Lodging Magazine noted that Andrew Dykeman also joined Driftwood Capital as senior vice president of Equity Investments [1]. As co-CIOs, Resnick and Steiner will direct activity across equity and credit platforms, managing origination, underwriting, structuring, capital allocation, and portfolio oversight to coordinate investment processes [1].

Hilton selected Kolin Pound as area president for the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) [1]. According to Lodging Magazine, Pound joins Hilton directly from Ares Management, where he served as managing director [1]. He previously worked as senior principal at Walton Street Capital [1]. In his new post, Pound will oversee Hilton's ongoing operations across the CALA territory [1].

Corporate expansion also continued at PM Hotel Group, which announced the appointment of Elizabeth Herzberg as senior vice president of development [1]. At Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group, Angela Cesaitis earned a promotion to vice president of sales after joining the company in 2025 [1]. Lodging Magazine reported that Cesaitis previously worked as divisional regional director of sales at Concord Hospitality and will now direct sales across the entire Lodging Dynamics portfolio [1].

How are regional operations shifting at Loews and full-service resorts?

Loews Hotels & Co promoted Stephen Cummings to senior vice president of operations for Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, assigning him oversight of operations for the destination portfolio [1]. Cummings previously served as complex managing director for Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center and Live! By Loews in Arlington, Texas [1].

Several destination resorts also installed on-site managing directors. Dimitrios Bessis was appointed managing director of Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas Paradise Valley, where he will oversee full property operations [1]. Bessis brings nearly two decades of experience, having previously served as vice president of operations with Rentyl Resorts [1].

In New York, The Standard, High Line selected Dieter Schmitz as managing director [1]. According to Lodging Magazine, Schmitz brings more than 20 years of experience, joining the property directly from his prior role as general manager of Sofitel New York to oversee operations [1]. In California, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa brought in Sid Ramani as general manager [1]. Ramani has over 25 years of Hyatt experience and recently served as area general manager of Hyatt Regency Irvine and Hyatt House Irvine [1].

Which commercial and property teams added new general managers?

Urban dual-branded and boutique properties saw simultaneous additions across executive suites. The dual-branded AC Hotel Dallas Uptown and Moxy Dallas Uptown named Brandon Cantrell general manager and Nathan Tyndall director of sales [1]. Cantrell brings more than 20 years of hospitality leadership, arriving from the Central Station Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee [1]. Tyndall carries more than 14 years of industry background, including sales positions with Wyndham Hotels, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Aimbridge Hospitality, Bentley Legacy Management, and Canopy Dallas Uptown [1].

Magnolia Hotel Omaha installed Ernesto Rivera as general manager and Rocky Rocha as director of food and beverage [1]. Rivera takes charge of overall property performance following leadership roles as director of operations at The Woodlands Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, and The Westin at The Woodlands [1]. Rocha, who previously owned and operated Stadium 34 Sports Bar & Grill in Red Oak, Iowa, assumes direction of all food, beverage, and culinary operations [1].

What appointments occurred across resort sales, culinary, and procurement?

OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels appointed John Dominguez as director of sales and marketing at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, reporting directly to General Manager Geoff Pearson [1]. Dominguez brings more than 25 years of experience, arriving from his recent position as director of sales and marketing at Outbound Sedona [1].

Culinary programming at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota will be managed by Mark Traugutt, who was named specialty chef overseeing waterfront restaurant Jack Dusty and al fresco concept Rufa [1]. Traugutt brings over 25 years of culinary background and formerly operated as chef-proprietor of Sarasota's Fork & Hen [1]. Further north in Florida, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront promoted Jon Hajdini to purchasing manager to lead hotel-wide purchasing operations [1].