Hotels in major cities and resort destinations across the country appointed new general managers in the past two weeks.
InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury & lifestyle portfolio, appointed Stefan Gruvberger GM of the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk, set to open in summer.
Gruvberger brings nearly 30 years of global hospitality experience to Texas. He started his career in New York City as an assistant director of revenue for The Waldorf Astoria before becoming hotel manager at The Drake in Chicago. He went on to hold leadership positions at properties in Lake Tahoe; San Jose, Calif.; San Francisco; and Chicago. He was opening GM of The Lasalle Chicago. Gruverger will oversee the opening of the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk.
Le Méridien and AC Hotel Denver Downtown
Ebrahim Ansari is the new dual general manager of Le Méridien and AC Hotel Denver Downtown. Ansari began his professional career at Hilton Garden Inn Salt Lake City Airport as the assistant general manager before moving up to the general manager position. From there, Ansari went on to hold roles at Marriott and Hilton properties including SpringHill Suites Salt Lake City Airport, Indianapolis Marriott Downtown and Denver Marriott Westminster.
In his current role at Le Méridien and AC Hotel Denver Downtown, Ansari oversees all operations, develops senior leaders and manages financial aspects of the property, including revenue generation, budgeting, forecasting and making strategic decisions.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas appointed Laura Jarvinen general manager. Jarvinen has held key positions at The Ritz-Carlton and W brands across the U.S. and the Caribbean and Latin America regions, managing various disciplines including food & beverage, culinary, rooms and events. Most recently, she was hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
Jarvinen holds a master’s degree in management from Hodges University in Naples, Fla., and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
Sofitel New York
Dieter Schmitz has joined Sofitel New York as general manager. Schmitz has repositioned high-profile flagship assets for brands like IHG, Marriott and independent properties like Riggs D.C. He has spearheaded eight luxury and lifestyle hotel openings and renovations in New York, Washington, D.C., Arizona and California. Schmitz’s experience includes roles as the market general manager, U.S. mainland for Marriott Vacations Worldwide in Scottsdale, Ariz. In this role, he led the opening of the Marriott Adero Autograph Collection Resort mid pandemic following a $100 million redevelopment. Before that, Schmitz was the area general manager for Lore’s Group luxury debut in the U.S., leading the opening of the Riggs D.C. where he led the property through a closure and reopening in the hotel’s first year of operations due to the pandemic.
In 2014, Schmitz rejoined IHG Hotels & Resorts as area general manager for the Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan, Even Hotel New York - Times Square South and Midtown East. He spearheaded the opening and operation of the three new Manhattan properties across a five-year tenure for a total of eight years with the company. Before that, Schmitz led the openings of the Lakehouse Hotel and Resort in San Diego and two additional new builds via the independent Shore Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif., and IHG’s Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. His new post follows tenure as VP of upscale brands for Choice Hotels where he spearheaded growth for seven brands and over 300 properties.
Shinola Hotel
Sage Hospitality appointed Jacob Dondzila general manager of the Shinola Hotel in Detroit.
Dondzila, a Michigan native and graduate of Michigan State University, brings more than 15 years of hospitality experience to his new role. He worked at the Ritz-Carlton Boston as well as Waldorf Astoria properties in New York; Washington, D.C.; and the Arizona Biltmore.
Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach
In California, the Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, appointed Glenda Rivera as the new general manager.
Drawing on more than two decades of industry experience, Rivera will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and commercial strategies for Zachari Dunes. Before joining the team, Rivera spent 20 years in hospitality operations across the Hilton portfolio in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Rica; Aruba; and San Francisco. In California, Rivera was GM at the Embassy Suites Los Angeles where she spent nearly three years leading ongoing property upgrades, refining culinary offerings and driving awareness in the local, regional and national markets.