Glendale, California (July 28, 2020) – Michael Tchakmakjian, Owner of The Glenmark, Glendale, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is pleased to announce Kevin Briggs as General Manager and Tony Trujillo as Executive Chef of Glendale’s newest boutique lifestyle hotel managed by Azul Hospitality Group. Briggs is responsible for all aspects of The Glenmark’s operations, while Trujillo oversees the dining concepts for the hotel’s signature restaurant, rooftop lounge and meeting spaces. Both play vital roles in the overall success of the hotel as well as heightening experiences for guests and locals alike.
Briggs joins The Glenmark with a strong background in luxury lifestyle hotel operations, with more than 24 years’ experience working at Los Angeles-based hotels. Most recently, he spent eight years at OLS Hotels and Resorts, as General Manager at The Grafton on Sunset. Prior to that, Briggs held positions at Hotel Palomar in Westwood, C.A. and Le Montrose Suite Hotel in West Hollywood, C.A., where he ran front office operations.
Beyond driving strategic revenue growth for The Glenmark Hotel, Briggs is passionate about promoting Glendale as the premier tourist and business destination and engaging with the local community. Originally from Rochester, NY, Briggs graduated from Monroe Community College with a degree in Business Management. His outside passions include writing and recording music for various television shows and films, as well as playing guitar and piano for his rock band, Molly Gunner. He currently resides in Santa Clarita with his wife and two sons.
As Executive Chef of The Glenmark, Trujillo oversees the daily culinary operations at the new signature restaurant Olia and Mila Rooftop Lounge, as well as the hotel’s 7,900 square feet of function space for meetings, corporate parties, and special occasions. He puts an emphasis on clean eating and healthy, seasonal ingredients that are reflected through his Mediterranean-inspired dishes. An Orange County native, Chef Trujillo started his training in the culinary arts at California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Since then, he has worked at Studio (Montage Hotels & Resorts); Michael Mina Stonehill Tavern; Church & State; Cobras & Matadors; Hollywood’s BOHO Gastropub; Salt Creek Grille; and other landmark California restaurants. Most recently, Trujillo was Chef de Cuisine at CUCINA enoteca in Irvine, CA, where he was responsible for all menu development, implementing seasonal menu changes and creating private event menus. In his spare time, Trujillo is passionate about mentoring and training interns, cooks and sous chefs as he believes the best way to continue to learn is by teaching others. Residing in Southern California, he enjoys being outdoors, whether it be surfing or cycling, and spending quality time with his son and family.
“It’s with great honor that we welcome Kevin Briggs and Chef Tony Trujillo to The Glenmark,” said Michael Tchakmakjian, Owner of The Glenmark, Glendale, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel. “Between Briggs’ unmatched enthusiasm and local hotel experience and Trujillo’s colorful background and passion for local, seasonal ingredients, I am confident that both will be incredibly successful in their respective roles.”
Born and raised in Glendale, Michael Tchakmakjian is a well-respected business mogul who is deeply entrenched in the local community. Tchakmakjian first took an interest in opening The Glenmark Hotel after recognizing the demand for world-class leisure, lifestyle and hospitality experiences in the Jewel City. Graduating from University of Southern California with a B.A. in Applied Sciences, Tchakmakjian has been a part of developing and managing a number of hospitality and commercial properties in the area, such as The Aloft Hotel that opened in 2017. Tchakmakjian resides in Glendale with his wife and three children.
“We knew that we needed a passionate, energetic and talented team to open this dynamic, design-driven hotel and are thrilled to have Kevin and Tony at the helm,” said Stan Kaminski, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, Azul Hospitality Group. “They will help bring the brand promise of exceptional hospitality to life for both guests and locals alike.”
Opened July 17, 2020, The Glenmark is the first full-service Marriott hotel in Glendale and features 85 artfully designed guest rooms; signature restaurant Olia; Glendale’s tallest rooftop lounge, Mila; Olia Coffee Bar, serving Intelligentsia coffee; a lobby bar; a state-of-the-art fitness center and 7,900 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.
For more information, please visit: www.marriott.com/laxtg
