Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts continues to leverage the depth of experience and talent across its operational team with the promotion of Christian Clerc to President, Worldwide Hotel Operations and Vince Parrotta to President, Hotel Operations – Americas.
The appointments follow the recent promotions of Simon Casson to President, Hotel Operations – Europe, Middle East and Africa and Rainer Stampfer to President, Hotel Operations – Asia Pacific, supporting the next phase of operational leadership and excellence as the company continues to solidify its global leadership position and grow its portfolio of hotels, resorts and private residences.
“With the next generation of operational leadership now in place Four Seasons is ideally positioned to build on its legacy of unwavering dedication to service excellence and the highest standards of quality,” said J. Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “There is no better complement of leaders to support future growth and guide our world-class operations and hotel teams forward as we continue to deliver the consistently exceptional service that characterises the Four Seasons experience no matter where you are in the world.”
Christian Clerc, President, Worldwide Hotel Operations
Christian Clerc’s distinguished career as a consummate hotelier, including leading the company’s flagship hotels in Washington, DC and Paris, has positioned him well to take on the role of President, Worldwide Hotel Operations, in which he now oversees all aspects of operations in the company’s growing global portfolio.
With responsibility for ensuring operational excellence at Four Seasons properties worldwide, Clerc will focus on cultivating the company’s renowned service culture among its world-class employees and continuing to seek out new ways to evolve and elevate the guest experience.
Born in Switzerland and a graduate of Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Clerc has enjoyed an exemplary 16-year career with Four Seasons. He moves into his new role after holding senior executive positions in several regions, including the last two years based in Dubai as President, Hotel Operations – Europe, Middle East and Africa. During this time, Four Seasons opened several new properties in the region including those in Johannesburg, Casablanca, Moscow and Cap-Ferrat, France, and continued to strengthen its presence in the Middle East with key openings in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where the company now offers guests two distinct luxury experiences.
“In his time with Four Seasons, Christian has demonstrated a remarkable track record of success, all aligned with the values and culture of Four Seasons,” says Smith. “He is an exceptional hotel operator and dedicated leader whose vision for product and service excellence will help lead Four Seasons into the future as we continue to evolve luxury hospitality on the global stage.”
In his new role, Clerc will join the company’s Executive Leadership team and report directly to Smith.
Vince Parrotta, President, Hotel Operations – Americas
As President, Hotel Operations – Americas, Vince Parrotta will oversee operations for the company’s largest region, which currently encompasses close to 50 hotels and resorts, including the just-opened Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown and upcoming openings in Anguilla and Surfside, Florida. Other developments in the region include recently announced resorts in Los Cabos and Napa Valley, a new hotel and private residences in Montreal, a contemporary new hotel in Philadelphia and a property in São Paulo, which will mark the company’s highly anticipated entry into Brazil.
“Vince is the ideal person to lead Four Seasons in the Americas,” says Clerc. “His career with Four Seasons has been marked by a keen instinct for spotting talent and developing future leaders and complete dedication to the values and culture that define our company.”
Parrotta joined Four Seasons in 1999 with more than 15 years of industry experience. During his nearly twenty year tenure with the company, Parrotta has held senior positions at Four Seasons properties throughout the Americas. In 2007 he was promoted to his first General Manager appointment in Jackson Hole. From 2009, he was General Manager in Scottsdale, where he was also Regional Vice President, overseeing five additional hotels and resorts.
A native of Sudbury, Canada, Parrotta will be relocating to the company’s headquarters in Toronto, Canada in his new position. Parrotta, along with Simon Casson and Rainer Stampfer, will report to Christian Clerc.
