ATLANTA — IHG Hotels & Resorts has made several changes to its Americas development leadership team following the retirement of Americas Chief Development Officer Joel Eisemann and the appointment of Julienne Smith, previously senior vice-president of Development, to the role.
Effectively immediately, the re-structured IHG Americas development leadership team includes: Matt Frankiewicz, who assumed Smith’s former SVP of Development role after previously serving as vice-president of Transactions and Asset Management for the Americas; Tiffany Cooper, who has joined with an elevated role as the SVP and Head of Development for North America and the Caribbean with IHG’s Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group brand; Kevin Schramm, who will remain the SVP of Development for IHG’s Essentials and Suites Brands within the U.S. and Canada; and Paul Adan, who is joining IHG as MLAC senior regional VP, building on his experience as managing director for Latin America and the Caribbean at Radisson Hotel Group Americas and regional VP at Marriott International.
Additionally, IHG has made changes to the broader regional development team. Mike Wernet will assume Frankiewicz’s former VP Development and Owner Support position; Scott Duff has joined as IHG’s new VP of Development for Canada to oversee the development and growth of the luxury, lifestyle and premium brands, as well as essentials and suites brands; and Anto Vrdoljak, who has been promoted to regional director of Franchise Sales and Development for Canada, filling a role opened by the retirement of Stuart Laurie in July 2022 after 28 years of dedicated service. Laurie’s accomplishments are vast and his influence on Canadian hotel development extends beyond the impressive distribution of IHG brands across the country. His mark on the Canadian hospitality space can be seen from coast-to-coast. Laurie will be enjoying his retirement by continuing his passion for sailing.
