Executive Appointments @ W Taipei

The W Taipei has appointed the executive team ahead of the luxury hotel’s early 2011 opening.

Hotel veteran and general manager Cary Michael Gray rounds up leaders in their respective fields from around the globe to launch the first W property in Taiwan.

Cary Gray joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., parent company of W Hotels & Resorts, in 1980. In 1985, Gray was assigned to the Sheraton Okinawa and promoted just two years later to general manager, becoming the youngest general manager in the company.

His passionate dedication to quality and his knack for making guests feel at home have been the hallmarks of his career. Gray has served as general manager for a long list of luxury hotels, including St. Regis Beijing, St. Regis Shanghai, The Westin Tokyo, Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Sheraton Okinawa, Sheraton Grande Laguna Beach at Phuket, Thailand, and -- simultaneously -- Australia’s Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast and Sheraton Port Douglas.

Ashley Hansen has been named Director of Sales and Marketing. Hansen brings to W Taipei twelve years of hospitality experience working at various position levels with responsibility for sales and revenue development across a wide range of diverse markets and cultures including properties in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London and Sydney. Hansen will be responsible for maximizing overall revenue and fostering relationships with the hotel’s business, group and meetings clientele.

Florian S. Kuhn will step into the role of Hotel Manager at W Taipei. Florian is equipped with a wealth of experience, paired with hospitality diplomas, passion, drive and an eye for details. Kuhn has worked in many vibrant cities, such as London, Dubai, Shanghai, Frankfurt and Beijing, covering 10 flagship hotels around the world in six different countries.

W Taipei has rounded out its executive team with the appointment of Wina Tsu Ping Chen to Marketing Communications Manager. Tiffany Lin has been named Director of Operational Excellence and brings both global and local experience having worked in Sydney and Taipei. Sherry Huang has been named Financial Controller and has more than 21 years of hotel finance experience. Matthew Lim has been named Director of Revenue Management and comes from a vast career in hospitality, spanning across various roles within a number of hotels. Viviane Chang has been named Director of Human Resources and has almost 15 years of rich experience in human resources and staff training. Amy Ching-Wen Chen has been named Director of Welcome and brings intricate understanding of Taipei culture to W through managing front desks at other notable Taipei and Asian hotels.

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