People ~ July 2010

Jorge Mendoza the new operations and support manager for Travelodge Canada, based in Vancouver, BC. He will provide operations and revenue management support to the 42 Travelodge and Thriftlodge properties in British Columbia and Alberta. Mendoza was most recently with ResortQuest Whistler, as general manager for three properties located in British Columbia.

With more than seven years' experience as Hôtel Le Germain Toronto sales and marketing director, Catherine Gracon will now double her service portfolio and scope with responsibility for two downtown hotels in a buoyant tourism market. Gracon is now director of sales and marketing for Hôtel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square, opening in Fall 2010. Gracon retains responsibility for Hôtel Le Germain Toronto on Mercer Street, the original Toronto boutique-hotel which she helped open.

This fall, 2010, Bruce and Frances Gravel will celebrate 25 years of dedicated service with the non-profit Ontario Accommodation Association (OAA).  This 25th Anniversary milestone means the Gravels are one of the longest-serving couples administering a non-profit association in Canada. Bruce Gravel joined the OAA on September 16, 1985, as its president (chief administrator), a position he has held ever since.  Frances Gravel joined the OAA soon after, starting as part-time bookkeeper.  She assumed more responsibilities, to her present position of executive assistant, a position she has held for many years and which includes being editor of the association's widely-distributed annual Traveller's Companion Directory and the annual Buyers' Guide.

Frances and Bruce Gravel, who celebrate 25 years with the OAA, are one of the longest-serving couples for a non-profit association in Canada.

The board of directors network for Hôtellerie Champêtre recently announced the appointment of Claire Canova as CEO. With a Bachelor of Business Administration, Canova has extensive experience in marketing, project management and contract  negotiation. Canova is also familiar with the issues and reality of the Hôtellerie Champêtre network because she worked with and later co-ordinated its marketing and sales team from 2005 to 2007.

With a growing collection of luxury hotels that now includes more than 60 properties worldwide, Fairmont  Hotels & Resorts recently announced several management and supervisory level appointments.

Luke Sunderland takes on the role as director, sales and marketing, The Fairmont Banff Springs. Sunderland has spent nearly a decade working in sales at a variety of Fairmont properties and most recently held the position of director, sales & marketing at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where record sales numbers were achieved under his leadership.

Jim McEachern is the new director, sales and marketing, for The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. This 30-year industry veteran brings a wealth of sales and marketing experience to this world-famous lodge. McEachern returns to Canada from the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, where he was serving as director, sales & marketing on an interim basis.

Kathryn Lee has been named director, human resources, of The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Lee, who began her career with Delta Hotels & Resorts, brings a decade of human resource knowledge and previous Fairmont experience to the role.

Eric Malcolmson has joined HLT Advisory as a director. Malcolmson is an accomplished hotel real estate professional with 18 years of hands-on and consulting experience in planning, advising and executing complex hotel real estate acquisitions and development projects.  Prior to joining HLT Advisory, Eric was a Principal in G7 Hospitality Group Inc., a Toronto-based boutique hotel asset management and advisory firm. He was formerly vice president, development for Fairmont Raffles Hotels International where he was responsible for sourcing opportunities for Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands.

Nathalie Jeghers is now vice-president, sales and marketing for Hotel Le Crystal in Montreal. Jeghers will oversee revenue generation for the hotel and play a key role as part of the company's strategic management team. She has held senior positions with a number of brands including IHG, Holiday Inn, Delta and Hilton.  Most recently, she served as national director of sales and regional director of sales and marketing for Silverbirch Hotels & Resorts.

Max Dressler has returned to St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino in Cranbrook, BC as chief executive officer. His responsibilities will extend over the entire operation including the management of the golf course, casino and hotel.

Dressler originally joined St. Eugene in October, 2005 as GM of Casino Operations, a position he held until early 2007. He has also held senior management positions with the Manitoba Lottery Corporation and Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, and served with the RCMP for approximately 24 years.