Moving Forward: These Execs are Going Places

August 19, 2024

Everything’s on the up and up for these industry professionals as they assume new positions and continue shaping the hospitality experience for meeting and incentive groups, making a world of difference at hotels and resorts around the world.

Mike McLeod, Hilton Portland Downtown and The Duniway

Hilton Portland Downtown and The Duniway have announced the appointment of Mike McLeod as General Manager. Situated in downtown Portland, close to the Portland Art Museum, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Pioneer Courthouse Square, McLeod will be responsible for overseeing the performance of the 782-room Hilton Complex with over 47,700 sq ft of meeting and event space, and three restaurant outlets.

With a career spanning over 40 years in the hospitality industry, McLeod brings experience and a track record of proven accomplishments to his most recent position. He initially joined the Hilton Portland and The Duniway (formerly the Hilton Executive Tower) as the director of sales & marketing, a position he held from 2004 to 2007. He also held general manager roles at the Doubletree by Hilton Spokane City Center and the Hilton Vancouver Washington, playing pivotal roles in elevating the hotels’ performance and enhancing guest satisfaction. He is the recipient of multiple accolades, including Hilton’s President’s Excellence in Leadership Award.

Jacinda Lowry, Club Med

Club Med has named Jacinda Lowry as Associate Vice President of Sales in Canada. In the new role, Lowry will help expand the Club Med brand in Canada, with a focus on gaining market share in Ontario. She will be permanently based in Ontario and will step into the role in September.

Lowry first joined Club Med in 2010 as director of meetings and events for the Canadian market. In her most recent role as senior national sales director Canada, she was responsible for delivering and driving strategies to meet and exceed sales goals, and led initiatives to foster strong industry relationships. Her new appointment is tied to the company’s expansion goals for North America and worldwide. While the brand is strong in Quebec, the all-inclusive resort chain said Ontario “still has much to learn about Club Med’s upscale offer.”

Julien Labays, Rosewood Baha Mar

Julien Labays has been appointed Resort Manager at Rosewood Baha Mar in Nassau. In this new position, Labays will collaborate closely with Managing Director Monica Ortiz, with a special focus on elevating the guest experience across all areas of the resort to meet Forbes Five-Star standards.

Hailing from the picturesque town of Pau in southwest France—and with a background in luxury hospitality, including a role as director of hotel operations at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and regional director of F&B operations at The Setai Miami Beach—Labays says he is excited to nurture the next generation of hospitality leaders, recognizing in them the same genuine desire to serve that has been the cornerstone of his own success.

Rylee Govoreau, ATL Airport District

The ATL Airport District CVB, the destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Ga., has announced the appointment of Rylee Govoreau as destination services manager. Since joining the District team, Govoreau has demonstrated a strong commitment to building strong and lasting relationships with all District partners and clients. In her new role, Govoreau will serve as the liaison between the destination and its meeting planners, reflecting her dedication to enhancing client experiences.

Before her tenure with the ATL Airport District, Govoreau served as the tourism program manager for the Douglasville Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she successfully managed sales, marketing and visitor services.

Jeremy Canivet, The Jeddah Edition

Jeremy Canivet has been appointed general manager of the newly opened Jeddah Edition, an urban resort situated on the Jeddah Corniche—a coastal resort area along the Red Sea—and close to the Jeddah Art Promenade and Al-Balad, a UNESCO Heritage site.

With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Canivet brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position, having worked with groups such as Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Kempinski and Ritz-Carlton across North America, Europe and the Middle East. In his most recent role as executive assistant manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain, Canivet’s initiatives led to impressive revenue growth, high guest satisfaction rates, and top-tier employee engagement scores. Canivet has also held leadership roles in in sales, marketing, and PR and holds various academic credentials including honours from The International Hotel Management Institute in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Jessica Gonzales, Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver

Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver has appointed Jessica Gonzales as the hotel’s new Senior Catering and Event Sales Manager. With 20 years of event experience and a deep understanding of Colorado’s unique event landscape, Gonzales joins the Hyatt Centric team to elevate the hotel’s event offerings and enhance guest experiences.

A Colorado native, Gonzales’ career began at the Marriott Denver Tech Center as an event operations manager. She then moved to Estes Park to work as a wedding coordinator at The Stanley Hotel before serving as director of sales at The Estes Park Resort.