MERRILLVILLE, Ind., July 8, 2015 — White Lodging is pleased to announce the following individuals have been named general managers last quarter across the company.
Claire Wroblewski has been promoted to general manager of the SpringHill Suites Schaumburg in Illinois. Wroblewski was the assistant general manager at the SpringHill Suites Schaumburg from 2012-2013 before becoming the general manager at her most recent property, the Residence Inn Chicago Southeast. Wroblewski also brings experience as an operations manager at the Holiday Inn Express Midway, cluster event coordinator and interim cluster event manager at the Midway Hotel Center, and housekeeping supervisor at the Courtyard Midway to her new role. She began her hospitality career as a rotational management intern at the Radisson Hotel Lansing and Doubletree Hotel Dearborn for Winegardner & Hammons, Inc.
“I am looking forward to re-joining the team at the SpringHill Suites and producing solid results,” said Wroblewski.
Jamie Hopwood has been promoted to general manager of the Hyatt Place Bloomington. Hopwood brings over 10 years of experience with White Lodging to his new role. Previously, Hopwood was the general manager at the Courtyard by Marriott at the Capitol in Indianapolis. He also brings experience as general manager from the Residence Inn Merrillville, Courtyard Hammond and SpringHill Suites Carmel. Prior to joining White Lodging, Jamie worked for RockResorts, Vail Resorts Lodging and Marriott International.
“I am very excited to be entrusted with the keys for such a wonderful asset. I look forward to the opportunity to develop and prepare IU students with the practical experience needed to make them the next great leaders of White Lodging,” said Hopwood.
Lou Demarchi has been promoted to general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Mettawa in Lake Forest, Illinois. Previously, Demarchi was the general manager at the Hilton Garden Inn Warrenville where under his leadership the hotel was ranked as the No. 1 hotel on TripAdvisor in the Warrenville area. Demarchi’s first general management experience was with the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Midway Airport. He also has experience with both the Hyatt Place and Marriott International brands.
“I am excited to take on this new role. I look forward to training and developing a new team and building great relationships in the local community,” said Demarchi.
Dustin Kovats has been named general manager at the Boulder Marriott. Kovats joins White Lodging at the Boulder Marriott after serving as the general manager at the Courtyard Pittsburgh North where he led an operations team to a ranking of No. 2 in Overall Satisfaction out of 914 Courtyards and No. 1 in Staff Service. Prior, he was the assistant general manager at the Pittsburgh Marriott North as well as the Chicago Marriott Northwest. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to further my career with a respected and growing company such as White Lodging,” said Kovats. “I look forward to joining the team and making a strong impact at the Boulder Marriott.”
Meagan Prazeres has been promoted to general manager of the Residence Inn Chicago Naperville/Warrenville in Illinois. Previously, Prazeres was the assistant general manager at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago/River North where she was a part of the hotel’s opening team. Prior to her experience in Chicago, Prazeres was the Housekeeping Manager at the Courtyard Collegeville in Pennsylvania where she assisted with the opening of the property’s new Courtyard Bistro. Before joining White Lodging at the Courtyard, Prazeres worked at properties such as the Marriott TownPlace Suites and Sonesta Orlando Downtown Hotel in Orlando, Fla. Prazeres graduated from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.
“I am excited for this new opportunity and challenge and I am grateful for all of my past and present mentors at White Lodging that have supported me into this new role,” said Prazeres.
Lance Taylor has been promoted to general manager of the Spring Hill Suites Austin South. Previously, Taylor was the general manager at the Courtyard Austin North/Parmer Lane. Prior to his experience as general manager at the Courtyard Austin North/Parmer Lane with White Lodging, Taylor was the general manager at the Hampton Inn and Suites Lakeway in Texas. His previous operations positions also include director of front office operations at Dallas Marriott Las Colinas in Irving, Texas and director of hotel operations at the Radisson Hotel and Suites in Austin. Taylor also gained experience as a parking manager/guest service manager, contract manager and guest service supervisor throughout his hospitality career.
“I am honored to join the talented team at the SpringHill Suites Austin South and I look forward to achieving our desired results,” said Taylor. “I also look forward to contributing to the successful Austin market and team.”
Brian Long has been named general manager of the Courtyard Austin North/Parmer Lane. Previously, Long was a Regional Director of Operations for Pearl Hospitality. As a Regional Director of Operations for Pearl Hospitality, Long oversaw multiple property brands including LaQuinta, Hawthorn, Homewood, Embassy and Microtel. Prior to his experience at Pearl Hospitality, Long was a general manager for White Lodging from 2008-2012. At his time with White Lodging, Long was general manager at the Hilton Garden Inn in San Antonio, Texas and then general manager of the HYATT House in Austin, Texas. Long also brings experience as a general manager with Presidian at the Canyon of The Eagles Resort and Conference Center to his new role.
“I look forward to re-joining a great company with some great people,” said Long. “I’m looking forward to creating opportunities for the future, embracing the team, the culture and creating some memorable experiences.”
Nicki D’Entremont has been promoted to general manager of the Courtyard Austin Northwest/Arboretum. Previously, she was the general manager at the Courtyard Austin South. D’Entremont started with White Lodging as an international intern in 2005. After her internship, she returned to England to finish her schooling. After moving back to the United States in 2009, she became a desk supervisor at the SpringHill Suites Austin North. From there she was promoted to opening front office manager at the Courtyard Austin North. After nine months in that role, she was promoted to operations manager at the same hotel. In an effort to further prepare for her ultimate goal of becoming a general manager, D’Entremont moved into a sales manager role at the Residence Inn Austin Northwest. She was promoted to her first general manager role at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Austin South before joining her most recent property, the Courtyard Austin South.
“I am excited and ready for the challenge and to produce the results the team and hotel deserve,” said D’Entremont.
