Martin van der Laan to assume general manager role at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North; Roseann Grippo to assume general manager role at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel
Marcus Hotels & Resorts announced two hotel general manager appointments. Martin van der Laan, former general manager of the historic AAA Four Diamond Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City, Okla., has been appointed general manager of the company’s Westin Atlanta Perimeter North hotel in Atlanta, Ga. and industry leader Roseann Grippo has been named the new general manager of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel.
Van der Laan joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2008. During his time with the company, he has served as general manager of the Platinum Hotel and Spa in Las Vegas, Nev. and the Xona Resort Suites in Scottsdale, Ariz. He joined the Skirvin Hilton in 2011 and since then has led the hotel in achieving service scores in the top five-percent for the Hilton brand. Under his leadership, the Skirvin Hilton was named 2012 Best Hotel in Oklahoma City and in the state of Oklahoma by U.S. News & World Report and was one of only four Hilton Hotels included on the list. The hotel has also received a AAA Four Diamond rating since its reopening in 2007. Born and raised in Holland, Van der Laan’s 30-year hospitality career includes working for six-star cruise operations and luxury hotels in Switzerland, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Nevada and Florida.
Grippo brings 24 years of hospitality experience to Marcus Hotels & Resorts. A long-time veteran of the Hawaii hotel industry, she most recently served as general manager of the legendary Kahala Hotel & Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014. Under her leadership, The Kahala received numerous awards from major tourism publications and organizations, including Forbes Travel Guide, Conde Nast, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor. She also initiated the hotel’s first James Beard Foundation Dinner, which resulted in funding to establish a new scholarship in the hotel’s name at the Culinary Arts School at Kapiolani Community College. Prior to joining The Kahala, Grippo worked with Starwood Hotels and Resorts for nearly a decade in positions including manager of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Starwood’s flagship property in Hawaii, and director of food and beverage for Starwood in Hawaii and French Polynesia. Her career also includes 13 years with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.
“A seasoned hospitality veteran, Martin led the Skirvin Hilton through its 100th anniversary and in maintaining its premier position in the market. I know Martin will do a fantastic job in guiding our most recent hotel acquisition through its $14 million renovation. I’m also proud to welcome Roseann to Marcus Hotels & Resorts. Her passion for hotel operations, deep knowledge of the food and beverage industry and drive to create an exceptional guest experience will be a tremendous asset to the historic Skirvin Hilton’s continued growth and success,” said Kirk A. Rose, president of Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 20 hotels, resorts and other properties in 11 states. A force in the hospitality industry, Marcus Hotels & Resorts provides expertise in management, development and historic renovations. The company’s portfolio includes a wide variety of properties including city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts and branded first-class hotels.
