MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Sept. 20, 2013?– White Lodging is pleased to announce the following individuals have been named general managers within the last month across the company.
Kristy Nase has been promoted to general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Silver Springs in Maryland. Previously Nase was the operations manager at the Courtyard Collegeville in Pennsylvania. Prior to her role of operations manager at the Courtyard Collegeville, she served as the assistant general manager at the same hotel. Nase also brings extensive front office experience from the Courtyard Malvern, Crowne Plaza in Philadelphia and the Courtyard Collegeville.
“I am excited to learn the brand and help my team achieve outstanding results,” said Nase.
Jasmine Malu has been promoted to general manger of the Courtyard Tampa-Brandon in Florida. Previously, Malu was the director of sales for the Homewood Suites Tampa-Brandon. Malu brings over 14 years of experience with Marriott International to her new position. With Marriott, she held positions such as area director of sales, cluster director of sales, director of sales, opening sales manager, operations manager, sales & catering coordinator and front desk supervisor.
“I am honored to have been bestowed the opportunity to serve as a general manager. This has been a careers aspiration that is coming true. Starting out from front desk clerk to general manager has been an exciting journey,” said Malu.
Roxanna Castillo has been promoted to general manager of the Hyatt House Houston Galleria in Texas. Previously, Castillo was the general manager at the Residence Inn Houston Galleria. She has held multiple other positions with White Lodging including experience at the Courtyard Sugarland and the Residence Inn Sugarland. At these properties Castillo has held positions such as operations manager, acting general manager, assistant general manager and cluster sales manager. Castillo spent nine years working with the Marriott brand hotels and is excited about learning the Hyatt brand now.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to continue my career growth with White Lodging. After spending nine years working with the Marriott brand hotels, it is a very exciting opportunity to learn the Hyatt brand,” said Castillo.
Marco Gonzalez has been promoted to general manager of the Residence Inn Houston Galleria. Previously, Gonzalez was the general manager at the Residence Inn Sugar Land. In the past, Gonzalez has served as the general manager of the Residence Inn Market Square in San Antonio, the assistant general manager at the Residence Inn by the Galleria in Houston and executive housekeeping manager/operations manager for the Residence Inn Market Square as well. Gonzalez was also once a building manager for LBJ Student Center in San Marcos, Texas.
“I was the assistant general manager of the Residence Inn Houston Galleria two years ago and I am honored to return at the general manager. I look forward to working with great people and continued success set by my predecessor Roxanna Castillo,” said Gonzalez.
Lance Taylor has been named general manager of the Courtyard Austin North in Texas. Previously, Lance was the general manager at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Lakeway, Texas. Lance brings over 17 years of hospitality experience to his new position including experience with hotels such as the Dallas Marriott Las Colinas, Radisson Hotel and Suites in Austin, Hilton Austin Hotel, Stephen F. Austin Inter-Continental Hotel and the Sheraton Hotel in Austin. During his time a contract manager for Towne Park, Lance hired, trained, supervised and established hotel practices for hotels in New Orleans, Houston, Nashville, St. Louis, Baltimore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
“I am extremely excited about this new opportunity to lead such a talented team. I am proud to represent White lodging and this property in my new role,” said Taylor.
Kirk Anderson was named general manager of the Courtyard Marriott San Antonio Airport/North Star in Texas. Anderson joined the company from his position as assistant general manager at the Hartford/Windsor Marriott Airport. Anderson has worked for companies such as Winegardener & Hammons, Inc., HEI Hotels and Resorts and Strategic Hotels and Resorts, Inc. Across these companies, he’s held positions such as assistant general manager, food and beverage department head and food and beverage outlets manager.
“I appreciate the opportunity to work for White Lodging and look forward to becoming an advocate of the White Lodging training program in the San Antonio market,” said Anderson.
DJ Kooner has been named dual general manager of the Courtyard and Fairfield Inn & Suites Phoenix/Chandler in Arizona. Previously, DJ was a director of food & beverage with Gilas River Casinos. Prior to that experience, Kooner worked as the director of food & beverage at the Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler. He has also worked for Sheraton San Marcos Golf Resort & Conference Center as the golf business manager. At two points in his career, Kooner worked with White Lodging at the Pontiac Marriott as a director of operations in 2003 and at the Radisson in Merrillville as the director or restaurants and director of reservations from 1996-2000. He brings experience from Hyatt hotels and as an owner of Naugles Restaurants as well rounding out his hospitality experience to just over 20 years.
“It was with White Lodging that I had my formative hospitality experiences and returning to the company feels like coming home ? except that the home is a lot bigger now. What hasn’t changed is White Lodging’s professionalism and commitment to excellence. It’s great to be back and I’m looking forward to a new set of formative experience,” said Kooner.
Jon Legalos has been promoted to general manager of the Courtyard Austin Airport. Previously, Legalos was the general manager at the Courtyard San Antonio airport/Northstar. Legalos brings 12 years of experience as executive director/owner of House at Cedar Ridge, Inc., an Alzheimer’s Care Facility, in Leander, Texas. Prior to this business, Jon was general manager at a La Quinta Inn and Suites in Austin. Jon also worked for White Lodging from 1997-1998 as the operations manager at the Courtyard Midway. From 1993-1997, Jon gained hospitality experience at properties such as Marriott’s Lincolnshire Resort in Illinois and Marriott’s Tar Tar A Resort in Missouri.
“I am very happy to be back in Austin, looking forward to continuing the remarkable success the hotel has enjoyed in the past,” said Legalos.