LOS ANGELES, Nov. 1, 2016 — sbe, the Los Angeles-based leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hospitality venues, today announced Tawny Paperd as Director of Sales & Marketing, Leah Levar as Director of Human Resources and Gavin Stephenson as Executive Chef and Director of Food & Beverage of SLS Seattle. The luxury lifestyle hotel will span 16 floors of The Mark, a premier 48-story Class-A+ office tower located in midtown of Downtown Seattle.
"I am delighted to announce that Tawny, Leah and Gavin have joined our team," said Rod Lapasin, General Manager of SLS Seattle. "Each are Seattleites with impeccable luxury service careers leading Seattle's most luxurious and iconic landmark hotels. The team brings the level of vision and expertise that will solidify SLS Seattle as a world class destination."
"With the latest expansion of our SLS Seattle team, we are ensuring that we are creating an unparalleled complete hotel experience for our future guests in the heart of the city," said Arash Azarbarzin, President of sbe Hotel Group.
Paperd's passion for service, sales and marketing serves as the foundation for success with colleagues and clients alike. Her knowledge and experience span the pillars of hospitality with leadership positions in Food and Beverage, Catering, Sales and Marketing with local industry leaders including: Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers, Salish Lodge & Spa, Hotel 1000 and the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle.
Levar brings over 20 years of hospitality experience to SLS Seattle having served as the human resources executive for the iconic Olympic Hotel since 1994. She is recognized for her excellence in leading both Four Seasons and Fairmont five diamond award winning teams. She has earned the "Best in Class" Colleague Engagement award annually from 2009 – 2015, and the Service Excellence Award in both 2009 and 2014. She is a Washington State University alumni and a board member of the Seattle Society for Human Resource Management.
Stephenson is a renowned culinary innovator with his most recent role as executive chef of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel and member of the national Fairmont Corporate Food and Beverage Council. Prior to making Seattle his home, Stephenson was executive sous chef at a James Beard Award winning restaurant at the Ritz Carlton Chicago and the executive sous chef at the Regent London UK, where he received the Acorn Award for best British chef under the age of 30. Stephenson also held culinary positions at the Four Seasons Boston and the Berkeley Hotel in London.
Coming summer 2017, SLS will become one of Seattle's premier cultural destinations with legendary designer Philippe Starck making his Seattle debut with a vision of modern luxury. The hotel will showcase 189 guest rooms and suites, nearly 28,000 square feet of conference and event space, Ciel Spa and fitness facilities, along with 13,000 square feet of food and beverage offerings. Boasting a regionally influenced restaurant and lounge situated 16 floors above the city center, and the brilliantly restored historic Sanctuary, SLS Seattle will introduce the city to new and extraordinary experiences.
