BOSTON — August 21, 2013?– The Langham, Boston is proud to announce the appointment of Richard Bussiere as the hotel’s new Managing Director. As a 35-year veteran of the hospitality industry, this appointment is a homecoming for the New England native, who has spent the majority of his career managing hotels overseas in Asia, Australia and the South Pacific. Bussiere succeeds longtime Managing Director Serge Denis, who retired after 20 years at the iconic hotel located in the heart of the city’s bustling Downtown neighborhood.
“Returning home to New England to join such a celebrated luxury hotel is an honor,” Said Bussiere. “After 27 years overseas, I am eager to bring my experience and expertise to The Langham, Boston, where I will lead an accomplished team renowned for its stellar guest service.”
As Managing Director of the 300-employee luxury hotel, Bussiere will oversee all hotel operations to ensure business growth and guest satisfaction. Originally opened in 1922 as the Federal Reserve Bank, The Langham, Boston, houses 318 guestrooms, more than 10,000 square-feet of function space and Chuan Body + Soul Spa featuring an indoor lap pool, 24-hour fitness center and treatments based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Three dining outlets include The Reserve, a European-style champagne lounge; BOND restaurant | lounge, a metropolitan dining and nightlife destination; and Caf? Fleuri, which brings more than 120 desserts to diners during its Saturday Chocolate Bar, and hosts Sunday City Brunch in a Mediterranean atmosphere.
“Langham Hospitality Group hires and cultivates the best industry talent from around the globe,” said Brett Butcher, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hospitality Group. “With more than three decades of experience managing some of the finest hotels across the world, Richard will continue to drive the success of The Langham, Boston, providing an outstanding level of luxury service for our guests.”
Born in Southbridge, Mass. and raised in Rockville and Vernon, Conn., Richard Bussiere earned an Associates Degree in Hotel & Food Service Management from Manchester Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel Management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Following graduation, Bussiere was recruited by ITT Sheraton as a Management Trainee, serving at the Sheraton at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, where he worked his way up through the ranks to Assistant Front Office Manager before transferring to the pre-opening team of the Sheraton Grande, Los Angeles.
His success at the West Coast hotels inspired Sheraton to transfer Bussiere to the pre-opening team of the brand’s first internationally-managed hotel in Shanghai, China, the Hua Ting Sheraton, thus beginning his career in international hospitality that would span 27 years. He went on to hold various management positions at a variety of hotels in China and other exotic destinations including New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
In 2001, Bussiere was named as area managing director of Indonesia for Starwood, responsible for 10 operating hotels; two years later, he was transferred to Fiji as managing director of three properties. In 2007, Bussiere moved back to Australia as general manager of The Westin Melbourne, where he oversaw a $5 million renovation. After that it, was back to China in the same role at The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing and the pre-opening general manager of The Westin, Chongqing.