People for February 2009

Diane Mombourquette is the new vice president and chief financial officer for Boutique Hotels & Resorts of British Columbia. Mombourquette will oversee Boutique Hotels & Resorts’ sales and marketing, information technology, finance and employee experience departments. Bringing with her a solid background in finance and designated chartered accountant, Mombourquette worked for nine years with Tourism Whistler, and then took on the position of general manager of economic viability for the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Prior to her most recent appointment, Mombourquette was Boutique Hotels & Resorts’ opening general manager for the upcoming Black Rock Oceanfront Resort which opened in Ucluelet, BC on January 16, 2009.

Carly Hall will take over the position of hotel manager for the new resort. A long-time Tofino resident, Hall started her hospitality career at Tofino’s Middle Beach Lodge before moving to spend six years at the Long Beach Lodge Resort where she was most recently general manager for the four-star luxury resort. In July, Hall was hired by Boutique Hotels & Resorts as the director of operations for Black Rock Oceanfront Resort.

Pam Hesse, general manager of the Travelodge Calgary Airport, was recently inducted as president of Skål International Calgary. A member since 2003, Hesse succeeds Terry Wallis as president. She brings her experience as president of the Calgary Hotel Association and 30 years in the hotel industry to her new position. “Pam brings solid knowledge of Skål and the tourism and hospitality industry with her to this role. During the 2005 NAASC Congress held in Calgary, Pam was an integral part of the entertainment planning,” says Catherine Heeg, past president.  
 
Blackwood Career Apparel (BCA)president Christine Blackwood has announced a new structure for BCA. She will once again head up the re-enforced sales and service team for the Vancouver-based company. Sarah Gushue, who has been with Blackwood for over four years, has been promoted to customer service manager and will continue to deal with distribution support and an increased focus on sales and service both with on-site and outside sales. Gushue’s familiarity with both the products and client base makes this position a natural. Jane Daway-Celaire moves into more of a sales administration role, Rosa Lowes takes on outside sales and service support and Cleo Slattery now looks after showroom sales.

A new face was added to the Days Inns - Canada family in 2008. Kelley Coville joined the team in November as national sales manager for Ontario. Coville brings with her 15 years of management experience in various positions in the hospitality and tourism industry.  In her role based in Ontario, Coville will be responsible for driving top line revenues to the Days Inn brand across a variety of market segments, including corporate, FIT, groups & associations. Prior to joining Days Inns - Canada, she worked at Niagara Helicopters Limited as sales manager.

Accor North America, one of the largest hotel chain owner and operators in North America, has announced the promotion of Robert Moore to executive vice president - technical services and new construction, for Accor North America.  In his new position, Moore will continue to lead all new construction, capital investments, maintenance, safety and sustainable development for Accor North America’s Motel 6, Studio 6, Novotel and Sofitel brands in North America.

Jeffrey Palmer is the new executive vice president - sales and marketing, for Accor North America.  In his new role, Palmer will continue to lead all aspects of marketing, branding, market research, sales, reservations and distribution for Accor North America’s Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The Westin Harbour Castle and Sheraton Centre Hotel have appointed Michael Drake as international accounts director based in Toronto. In this role, he will work with international corporate and associate business for Starwood Hotels’ two flagship hotels in Toronto. Drake brings over 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry across varied markets and disciplines, including eight years focused on the Canadian corporate market. Most recently he served as the director of worldwide accounts for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts where he was responsible for sales for 270 hotels across North America.

Xavier Poncin has been named chief operating officer of the Comexposium Canada network. With more than 15 years of experience in the trade show sector, he has acquired a solid knowledge of working on international projects. Comexposium Canada is the Montreal-based owner and organizer of trade shows such as the SIAL Montreal food exhibition and SET Canada, a service, equipment and technology show for the foodservice and retail sectors.

CRFA engages Korn/Ferry for CEO search

TORONTO—Michael Aronovici, chairman of the board for the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) announced last month that the association has engaged the Korn/Ferry International recruitment firm to search for the association’s next president.

The CRFA chairman emphasized that Korn/Ferry will be casting a wide net in its search for a new president and that applications from internal candidates will be welcome.

Outgoing president Doug Needham announced his resignation in late October and will be leaving the organization at the end of June, 2009.

Jeffrey Rosin, Korn/Ferry’s Canadian president, will assume primary responsibility for the assignment. For information, contact jeffrey.rosin@kornferry.com. Phone: 416-365-1841.