People ~ March 2010

The Convention Industry Council’s Certified Meeting Professional board of directors, based in Alexandria, VA, has announced the appointment of Cathy Breden, chief operating officer for the International Association of Exhibitors and Events, to the role of 2010 chair.  Breden, formerly vice chair of the board, replaces Kimberly Miles, senior vice president, industry relations, of the American Hotel Lodging Association.

Monarch Robe & Towel Co., one of the leading suppliers of fine bathrobes and towels to the global hospitality industry, today announced the appointment of Gene Faul as CEO of the company’s Hotel Division. In addition, Karen Faul has been appointed as president of the division.

The announcement was made in conjunction with a planned expansion of the company’s burgeoning Hotel Division, which serves four- and five-star hotels and resorts around the world, as well as leading spas and cruise lines worldwide. The newly expanded Monarch Hotel Division will be headquartered in South Egremont, Massachusetts.

Peter J. Dunn is now general manager of Atlific’s newest property Le Westin Montréal. Dunn comes to Le Westin with extensive experience in the hotel industry beginning 32 years ago at Atlific’s Montréal Marriott Château Champlain. In his most recent position as general manager of the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dunn successfully took the hotel through a major renovation and subsequently repositioned it to become one of the brand’s top 50 performers in overall guest satisfaction for the last four years.

Kari Koskela has been appointed general manager of Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver.  Koskela brings more than 20 years of tourism and hospitality experience to this famed luxury hotel, most recently ranked by Travel + Leisure Magazine as one of the top 500 Hotels in the World.  Prior to his position with Metropolitan Hotels, Koskela worked with the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC as the property’s hotel manager. Koskela’s impressive background also includes a notable history in food and beverage. From 2001 to 2007, this highly respected hotelier maintained the position as food and beverage director for the likes of the Four Seasons – Las Vegas, the Four Seasons – Vancouver and director of operations at the Delta Pinnacle Hotel - Vancouver. A graduate of the Hotel Management School Les Roches in Switzerland, Koskela has a degree in Hotel Management and a certificate in Food and Beverage Operations.  He also speaks both Finnish and German.

John Jarvis, general manager of The Westin Ottawa has announced the appointment of William Verhey as director of protocol events & diplomatic hospitality at the hotel. Verhey is a long serving member of the Westin team, having helped open the hotel as director of banquet operations in 1983.

Throughout his career with the Westin, he has held various positions in varied disciplines across the hotel including front office and banquets experience. Before accepting this new position, he was director of catering sales since 1991, where he managed all social and diplomatic catering sales for the hotel’s 27 function rooms. 

This newly created position will allow him to build on the strong ties he has established in government and diplomatic circles.