DANA POINT, Ca.– February 4, 2021 – Following the debut of Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club earlier this month as part of Hilton’s (NYSE: HLT) iconic luxury brand, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, the hotel is pleased to announce the appointment of a new executive team led by George Munz as general manager. New additions to the executive leadership team also include Jean-Pierre Dubray as executive chef and Pat Rizco as director of engineering.
“We are delighted to welcome these three incredibly talented team members to Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club’s leadership team,” said Dino Michael, senior vice president and global category head, Hilton luxury brands. “George, Jean-Pierre and Pat all bring a wealth of experience to their new roles and we look forward to seeing the positive impact the executive team will undoubtedly make on guests, team members and the Orange County community, under George’s leadership.”
George Munz, General Manager
A luxury hospitality veteran with a wealth of experience, Munz joins Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club following 30 years with The Ritz-Carlton brand, where he served as general manager at some of the brand’s top resorts and hotels across the United States. Most recently, Munz served as general manager at The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. for five years where he repositioned the hotel through a $12 million, two-year room and facilities renovation project, maintained a Five-Diamond rating and hosted presidents, royalty and global leaders at the property. Prior to his role in D.C., Munz served as general manager at The Ritz-Carlton’s Half Moon Bay in California and Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix. Munz also held roles as a director of sales and marketing and as a hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, also in Orange County. At Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, Munz will oversee all aspects of operations in his role as general manager, from day-to-day staff and guest management to serving as an ambassador for the resort and brand leading a team of over 550. Munz holds a bachelor of arts degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Florida State University. He has always been an active member of the communities in which he has worked, serving numerous charitable organizations and most recently serving on the Board of Directors of D.C. Central Kitchen in our nation’s capital.
Jean-Pierre Dubray, Executive Chef
Originally from France, Chef Dubray arrived in the United States in 1980 to pursue his passion in the food and beverage industry. With over 40 years of culinary experience, Dubray most recently served as executive chef at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, supporting their opening in 2008. During his 12 years at the resort, Dubray developed and executed concepts for the property’s dining outlets and shaped the vision for culinary standards at the Forbes 5-Star rated property. Prior to his role at The Resort at Pelican Hill, Dubray held positions at various Ritz-Carlton hotels for over 20 years, including executive chef at both The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco and The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage in addition to executive sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Dubray has been a guest chef for a James Beard Foundation event in San Francisco and various charitable events for the March of Dimes and Meals On Wheels. In 2002, the award-winning chef was named “Outstanding Chef of the Year” by Marin County Branch of the International Wine and Food Society, received the prestigious award of “Le Merite Agricole” by the French Minister of Agriculture and was inducted “ Maître Cuisinier de France” Master Chef of France in 2019.
Pat Rizco, Director of Property Operations
With over 30 years of experience at prestigious Southern California resorts, Rizco joins the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club team as director of property operations. Mostly recently, Rizco served as director of engineering at The Resort at Pelican Hill, where he oversaw all maintenance, equipment replacement and renovations on property. Prior to that, Rizco also held director of engineering roles at Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Orange County.
The new Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club is nestled hillside along the coast and offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Perched on 175 acres with 400 guest rooms and suites, seven culinary experiences, three sparkling pools, a Waldorf Astoria Spa, and the private Monarch Bay Beach Club, this elegant AAA Five-Diamond retreat offers both indulgence and inspiration. From oceanfront culinary experiences, unique coastal activities and the Robert Trent Jones-designed Monarch Beach Golf Links, resort guests and club members will experience an elevated slice of California’s beach culture. Equal parts sophisticated, approachable and intimate, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club has a personality that fits perfectly with the playful coastal lifestyle of the area. Seamlessly bringing to life Waldorf Astoria’s brand ethos, the resort offers unforgettable experiences and unparalleled standards of luxury service and hospitality.
For more information about Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, please visit newsroom.hilton.com/
