ORLANDO (SEPTEMBER 27, 2013)?- Three key executives appointments were announced today in preparation for Hyatt Regency Orlando’s opening, which is expected to occur on October 1, 2013 upon rebranding from The Peabody Orlando: Tom Smith has been appointed Area Vice President and General Manager, Brian Comes has been appointed as Hotel Manager, and Nate Hardesty has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing.
Tom Smith, Area Vice President and General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando, is a 31-year Hyatt veteran. Smith was most recently the Senior Vice President of Operations for Hyatt’s Global Operations Center based in Chicago, where he oversaw the strategy of all hotel operations globally.
During his career with Hyatt, Smith has held positions as General Manager at various North American hotels. In 2006, Smith was awarded Hyatt’s General Manager of the Year for Hyatt Hotels North America; and in 1996, Smith coordinated operations for Hyatt at the summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Smith is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and moves to Orlando with Tamara, his wife of 25 years, and two daughters, Lauren and Kailey.
“Tom’s extensive experience with Hyatt makes him extremely well-suited to take the helm of the largest convention hotel presence for Hyatt in the United States and drive it forward into the market,” said Carlos Cabrera, Senior Vice President of Field Operations for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “It is exciting to be growing our brand portfolio and at the same time welcoming an exceptional and energetic group of new Hyatt associates. Under Tom’s leadership, Hyatt Regency Orlando will inevitably continue elevating the Hyatt Regency profile as the most preferred brand in the leisure and meetings market.”
“I am thrilled to assume my new role in the Orlando community as General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando and bring the Hyatt Regency experience to life for our associates, guests and local residents,” said Tom Smith, Area Vice President and General Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando. “I am committed to fostering new connections and creating energizing experiences for guests and visitors of Hyatt Regency Orlando, key attributes our brand lives by every single day.”
Brian Comes, Hotel Manager of Hyatt Regency Orlando, has been part of the Hyatt family for 25 years. Comes will support Tom Smith in positioning Hyatt Regency Orlando as one of the premier convention center hotels in the brand’s global portfolio. Comes has held various positions as Director of Catering and Convention Services and several General Manager roles throughout the United States. In his most recent role as General Manager of Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, he was awarded Hyatt’s General Manager of the Year for mid-size properties. Comes is a graduate of James Madison University and moves to Orlando with his wife Mirey, daughter Kaitlyn, and son Chris.
Nate Hardesty joins Hyatt Regency Orlando as the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing, and will report to both Tom Smith and Brian Comes. Hardesty brings 12 years of Hyatt sales and marketing hospitality experience with him to Orlando. Most recently, he was the Director of Sales and Marketing for Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa with previous positions at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino and Grand Hyatt Denver among other U.S.
properties. He is a graduate from Northern Illinois University and moves to Orlando with his wife Rosa and son Michelangelo.