sbe?announced the promotion of Thomas Meding to Area Vice President. Transitioning from his former role as Area General Manager, Meding will now oversee sbe?s full Miami hotel portfolio, ensuring the growth and expansion of sbe venues across all hospitality verticals in the Florida market. In his new position, Meding will lead over 850 employees; guide, train and develop leadership teams; and ensure the financial performance of each venue. sbe?s Florida hotel portfolio includes SLS Hotel South Beach,?The Raleigh Hotel and the recently opened Redbury South Beach.
?It has been an honor to grow and evolve with sbe. This next-level opportunity to oversee our expansion in Florida is a defining moment in my career,? said Meding.? ?Sam Nazarian is an industry visionary and Arash Azarbarzin is a strategic operational architect. They have empowered our company to reach incredible heights and I?m thrilled to continue the charge with them.?
Meding?s 3-year tenure with sbe has focused on hotel operations?serving as a Director of Hotel Operations for sbe in Los Angeles, and prior to that, serving as the General Manager of?SLS Beverly Hills.
?Thomas has a skill set and industry expertise that has made him invaluable to the growth of sbe,? added Azarbarzin, President of sbe Hotel Group.??His leadership and understanding of the market positions us very well for continued success and his character exemplifies the spirit of what the sbe culture is all about.?
Meding has an impressive history within the hospitality industry. Prior to joining the sbe Hotel Group, for six years he served as the General Manager of Le Parker Meridien Palm Springs, California. Under Meding?s leadership, the hotel became an undisputed market leader. He received the General Manager of the Year Award in 2009 from the Hospitality Industry and Business Council (HBIC) for the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. Before that, Meding held senior executive positions within the Ritz Carlton, Fairmont, and Four Seasons portfolios, as well as The Waldorf Astoria and The St. Regis Hotel in New York.
Meding first began his career in Germany with Intercontinental Hotels and then relocated to San Francisco to attend Golden Gate University for degrees in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management. Meding presently resides in Miami with his wife, Alisa, and their 2 sons, Tristan and Tanner.