Mark Snyder was named senior vice president, brand management for Holiday Inn in the Americas, responsible for Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. Also becoming brand-management SVP for an InterContinental Hotels Group flag is Kevin Kowalski, for Crowne Plaza. Tom Stringer joins the team as portfolio and innovation strategy director and Jon Harding becomes SVP, worldwide capability development. Peter Gowers will become chief executive of IHG's Asia Pacific region on Nov. 1. IHG is recruiting a new chief marketing officer.

Tom Wolf is the new general manager of the 390-room Hyatt Regency Bethesda, MD. Most recently, he was GM of the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

Ian T. Rogers joined e-Suites Hotels as senior vice president and chief financial officer. He comes to the upscale boutique hotel brand from luxury tour operator Tauck World Discovery, where he was CFO.

Bijal Patel leveraged her winning design in a US Franchise Systems competition to become a design specialist at USFS. She will work on prototype design and the look of Microtel and Hawthorn Suites.

The Caves in Negril, Jamaica appointed Kevin Clarke as general manager. He oversees operations in the 10-room cliff-side retreat.

Peyton “Chip” Owen was named president and chief operating officer of The Lightstone Group. He had been COO of Equity Office Properties Trust. Joining Lightstone's Extended Stay Hotels management are David Kim, executive vice president of finance and chief investment officer; and John Kaufman, EVP, revenue management.

Former Innkeepers USA Trust CEO and President Jeffrey H. Fisher formed Fisher Property Group and Island Hospitality Management.

Fisher Property will focus on extended-stay hotels, while Island Realty will operate 79 hotels previously managed by Innkeepers Hospitality and acquired by Fisher Property.