PEOPLE update June 25, 2019

David Humphrey, best known for his work at FRHI Hotels (now part of AccorHotels) and Westmont Hospitality Group, has joined Boston Consulting Group after completing his MBA at the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University. Humphrey worked for FRHI for four and a half years, rising to the position of director of development, Americas. At Westmont, he worked in asset management for two years, and prior to that he worked at PKF Consulting Inc. Boston Consulting Group is a leading management consulting firm with over 90 offices around the world.

Jose Luis Riomayor has a new role at Sunray Group as executive assistant general manager of the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Montréal Centre-Ville. Prior to that, he was general manager at another Sunray property, the Comfort Inn Aeroport Dorval, which underwent extensive renovations and won a 2019 Choice Hotels Canada gold award. Before joining Sunray, Riomayor worked for eight years at JTR International, a hospitality consulting company that has been working with some of the largest industry leaders in the business for over 20 years. He has more than 15 years experience working in positions that included being front desk and maintenance director positions, work as assistant controller at Holiday Inn Pointe Claire for three years, managing three hotel restaurants for Delta Hotels & Resorts for two years, and working as a business banker at Chase for more than five years.

Tributes are pouring in as the hotel industry mourns Mark Pearce, senior vice-president, International Division, Choice Hotels, who passed away unexpectedly on May 31. Pearce had a true presence, and his passion for the hotel business, his team members and franchisees was clear. He joined Choice Hotels Canada in 1993 as vice-president of sales and marketing and transferred to Choice Hotels International in 1999. Pearce was appointed to a leadership position in 2010. Over the years, he played an integral role in propelling Choice Hotels’ international business strategy and operations and boosting profitability for international franchisees. While he divided his time between Choice’s Rockville, Md. and Amsterdam offices, Canada always held a special place in Pearce’s heart. He served as vice-chairman of the Choice Hotels’ Board of Directors and was always a big advocate for Choice Hotels Canada within the international offices. A dedicated family man and friend to many in the hotel industry, Pearce is survived by his three children.

Paul Shewchuk is the new executive chef at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, and has been redefining the hotel’s food and beverage program at the hotel since his arrival. Hailing from Kitchener, Ontario, chef Shewchuk began his career studying under Chef Michael Stadtländer at the famed Eigensinn Farm. Chef Shewchuk then joined Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa under renowned chef Johnathan Gushue. He moved to the west coast, taking leadership roles in smaller restaurants and resorts before beginning an eight-year progressive tenure with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, culminating in the position of executive chef, at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle, where he accumulated a number of awards and honours.

Jodi Garman has joined JLL Hotels & Hospitality as senior vice-president. Based in Denver, Garman will provide real estate tax consulting services, including advising buyers and sellers on hotel property taxes and purchase price allocations and negotiating tax appeals. Jodi holds extensive property tax consulting and valuation experience, including property tax liability projections, complex tax liability analysis and appeal process management. Additionally, she holds unique experience across golf and ski resort property taxes. She is an MAI designated member of the Appraisal Institute.