New Pittsburgh hotel appoints general manager, director of sales & marketing and executive chef in advance of spring opening
PITTSBURGH, PA (March 1, 2021) – The Industrialist Hotel, Autograph Collection and HRI Lodging announces the appointments of Robert Brashler as general manager, Kelly Giger as director of sales and marketing and Gavin Hetrick as director of food and beverage and executive chef for the hotel opening this spring. Located in Pittsburgh’s lively downtown Golden Triangle District in the historic Arrott Building, The Industrialist will feature 124 rooms, including 3 stylish suite options, a vibrant lobby bar, fitness center and signature modern American restaurant, The Rebel Room.
Robert Brashler, general manager, with more than two decades of experience in hotel management, will oversee all day-to-day operations at The Industrialist. Prior to joining The Industrialist, Brashler served as general manager for IHG Hotels & Resorts’ EVEN Hotel, a 160-room property in downtown Pittsburgh. Brashler has also held general manager positions at DoubleTree by Hilton at Pittsburgh International Airport, Sheraton Tribeca New York Hotel, Hyatt Place New York/Midtown South and Fairfield Inn & Suites Manhattan/Chelsea, where he earned recognition as “General Manager of the Year.”
Fluent in French, Brashler holds a bachelor’s degree in operations and human resources from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.
Kelly Giger, director of sales & marketing, brings more than 15 years of hospitality experience to The Industrialist’s executive team. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Culinary Arts, Giger joined The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown as director of banquets. In 2015, Giger transitioned to a role in group sales, eventually working her way up to director of group sales at The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel.
Giger will lead all sales and marketing strategies for the property, which boasts 1,200 square feet of multi-purpose event space for meetings and social gatherings.
Gavin Hetrick, director of food & beverage and executive chef, joins The Industrialist after serving as the executive chef for Southern Tier Brewing Company’s Pittsburgh taproom, where he managed a bustling kitchen, oversaw a multitude of banquets and special events and introduced activations designed to enhance the guest experience, including a monthly tasting series.
First beginning his career at The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, Hetrick’s passion for providing first-class culinary experiences took off when he joined the culinary team at downtown Pittsburgh’s Revel, a two-story refined American restaurant and event venue. There, Hetrick ultimately became executive sous chef and was tasked with overseeing daily proceedings and the training and development of staff.
At The Industrialist, Hetrick will oversee all food & beverage efforts, including the property’s forthcoming signature restaurant, The Rebel Room, which will offer elevated American fare and design influenced by the movers and shakers of Pittsburgh. Additionally, Hetrick will manage The Industrialist Lounge, the central hub of the hotel where guests will find a DIY workshop meets mixology-forward bar featuring a “makers menu,” serving Pittsburgh-inspired tools and kits alongside craft cocktails.
The Industrialist is located at 405 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222. Reservations are now welcomed for stays April 15, 2021 and beyond. For more information, please visit the website or call (412) 430-4444.
