Aqua-Aston Hospitality, a leading hospitality management business headquartered in Honolulu since 1948, has announced the appointment of Ben Kim to a newly created role, Vice President of Operational Finance.
Kim will report directly to Andrea Mue, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Executive. She said, “This newly created position reflects our efforts over the past year to transform Aqua-Aston’s Finance Department, provide strategic support for Aqua-Aston’s growth plan, and partner with our operations team by guiding business decisions that enhance profitability.”
Working hand-in-hand with Aqua-Aston’s operations team and leadership, Kim will oversee the Operational Finance team providing financial oversight over Aqua-Aston’s entire portfolio of managed properties and restaurants. Some of Kim’s responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing financial performance of the managed properties and restaurants; assessing financial management strategies; providing strategic support for onboarding new properties; coordinating and leading large multi-disciplinary projects and other special projects. He will also develop and manage key relationships with hotel General Managers and other senior managers to provide financial support and understanding of short and long-term financial plans.
Kim brings nearly 20 years of experience to the position. Before joining Aqua-Aston, he spent four years as the Area Director of Finance for Destination Residences Hawaii, where he led a team of ten employees over a portfolio of 16 luxury properties throughout Hawaii. He also spent two years as the Director of Finance and Accounting at St. Kitts Marriott Resort and the Royal Beach Casino. His impressive experience includes various positions of increasing responsibility at the Ritz Carlton Club and Residences in Kapalua Bay, Guam Marriott Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, and JW Marriott Hotel Seoul in South Korea.
Throughout his career, Kim has been recognized with various professional awards for his excellent performance and his leadership. He earned his Postgraduate Diploma in Business Enterprise at the Southern Institute of Technology at Invercargill in New Zealand, and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at Brigham Young University where he graduated summa cum laude.
