PEOPLE update October 22, 2019

Melissa Kenney, who is well known to those in the Canadian Hospitality industry for her roles as national director of marketing for Travelodge Canada, and senior marketing positions at Atlific, Realstar Hospitality and Choice Hotels Canada, has taken on a new role as finance and administration coordinator at the Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation. She was with Travelodge for just over two years. Before that Kenney worked at Atlific Hotels as national director of marketing, and at Realstar Hospitality as senior director of marketing, a position she held for almost eight years. Kenney started her career at Choice Hotels Canada, where she held the position of manager, corporate communications for almost five years.

Aimbridge Hospitality, a major independent hotel investment and management firm, and its wholly-owned subsidiary Evolution Hospitality, announce the promotion of Matt Greene to executive vice-president of operations, Lifestyle Hotels. In his new role, Greene is responsible for managing all facets of the lifestyle hotel portfolio. Greene most recently held the title of senior vice-president of operations, Lifestyle for Evolution Hospitality, and is currently in his eleventh year with the firm. Prior to joining Evolution Hospitality and Aimbridge Hospitality, Greene held several senior positions throughout the United States including SVP of Operations of Morgan’s Hotels Las Vegas with direct oversight of Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas, senior director of New Builds and Conversions for W Hotels Worldwide, and general manager and regional director of operations for Hotel Zaza Dallas where he assisted in growing the Hotel Zaza brand.

Aimbridge Hospitality has also expanded its executive team with the promotion of Rob Smith to executive vice-president of operations, Full Service and Resorts. In this new position, Smith is responsible for managing all facets of full-service branded and independent hotels and resorts in the Americas and the Caribbean, as Aimbridge Hospitality continues to grow its international luxury resort portfolio. Smith has been with Aimbridge Hospitality for seven years serving as senior vice-president of operations. Prior to joining Aimbridge Hospitality, Smith spent 17 years in the Caribbean managing large scale resorts and casinos, as well as serving the island of Aruba in a public/private sector tourism role. He previously held several general manager positions in the United States under most major flags.

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), the world’s leading business partner for managed travel, has appointed David Levin as its new chief information security officer (CISO). Levin reports to chief information technology officer David Thompson, and is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Levin brings more than 20 years of experience in the information security and risk management space. Most recently, he served as chief information security officer for Western Union, building the company’s world-class cybersecurity program.

The Westin Calgary's director of human resources, Nicola Dick, has started a new position at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, as director of human resources. Prior to her nine years at the Westin Calgary, she was at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa for nine years, working her way up to a position as human resources manager.

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Rebecca Lieberman as chief human resources officer. Lieberman previously served as vice-president, Human Resources for the Americas. In this new role, she will lead the Human Resources, Communications, Responsible Business and facilities functions for Radisson Hotel Group in the Americas and Asia Pacific. Prior to joining Radisson Hotel Group in 2015, Lieberman was the owner and principal human resources consultant for RTL Consulting, where she specialized in HR Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness for various companies going through M&A and divestitures. She also spent 10 years at Target Corporation serving in a variety of roles and leading organizational transformations for both corporate and store divisions.

Courtyard by Marriott Burlington is pleased to welcome Tarah Markham, sales and operations manager. Markham came to the Courtyard from the Fairmont Royal YorkHotel in Toronto, bringing extensive hospitality experience and leadership skills. In her various capacities, she has been exposed to all facets of hotel operations, and with over 10 years of experience she has specialized in both hospitality operations and sales leadership, exceeding her targets year over year.