Starwood Hotels has promoted Shadi Omeish to senior vice president of operations for the Americas, per a Thursday news release shared with Hotel Dive.
In his extended role, Omeish, who previously served as vice president of operations for the Americas, will work closely with general managers and regional leadership teams to bolster day-to-day operations, enhance hotel performance and “support the continued growth of the company’s brands across its 17 operating properties,” per the release.
Miami-based Starwood Hotels, which operates 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels, rebranded from SH Hotels & Resorts last March, reviving the name of the original company founded by hotelier Barry Sternlicht more than 30 years ago.
Starwood Hotels CEO Raul Leal said in a statement that the company is “proud to recognize Shadi’s continued leadership as our portfolio keeps growing across the Americas and beyond.” Omeish started in his new role in February, according to a spokesperson.
“He’s had a huge hand in strengthening operations across our hotels and supporting the teams who make it all happen every day,” Leal added. “This promotion reflects the impact Shadi has already made and the confidence we have in the leadership he’ll continue to bring as we keep building what’s next.”
According to the release, Omeish will play a key role in supporting Starwood’s upcoming openings, including 1 Hotel Austin in Texas; 1 Hotel & Homes San Miguel de Allende and 1 Hotel Cabo in Mexico; 1 Hotel Hudson Valley in New York; and Baccarat Residences Brickell Miami, Treehouse Hotel Brickell and Treehouse Hotel Miami Beach in Florida.
Omeish first joined the company in 2016 as general manager for 1 Hotel South Beach and has held several leadership roles across the portfolio. He brings nearly three decades of international experience to the role, having held leadership positions at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, per his LinkedIn, as well as senior roles at MGM Resorts International.
In addition to Omeish’s promotion, Starwood announced other leadership changes: Ashley Gochnauer has been named area managing director, overseeing 1 Hotel San Francisco, 1 Hotel Seattle and Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, and Onal Kucuk has been appointed area general manager of 1 Hotel Nashville and the upcoming 1 Hotel Austin, expected to open this summer, per a Starwood spokesperson.
The promotions come as Starwood aims to expand its footprint globally, including in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
“As the company grows, experienced leadership across both corporate and property teams remains central to delivering strong operations and performance across the portfolio,” per the release
