2026 “General Managers to Watch” Award Winners Announced by Forge’s Hotel Management

NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Forge’s Hotel Management today announces winners of the annual “GMs to Watch” award, showcasing creative, resilient and dynamic leaders in the hospitality industry. 

Each year, Hotel Management opens its call for nominations to the greater hospitality industry to nominate those who deserve widespread recognition. This year, more than 250 nominations were received, and 26 professionals were chosen by Hotel Management’s senior editorial staff for their dedication and outstanding achievements.

The 2026 “GMs to Watch”:

• James Ancona, Area General Manager, Magnolia Hotels
• Ibrahim Bajrami, General Manager, The Quincy Hotel- An Ascend Collection Hotel
• Carlo Chavez, General Manager, Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort
• Michael Davis, General Manager, Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Downtown
• Susan Efendi Sullivan, General Manager, Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge
• Brittany Fagan, General Manager, Hampton Inn & Suites Grants Pass
• Adam Gaudry, Area General Manager, The Blackbird Hotel & The Garden District Hotel
• Nicole Grasska, General Manager, The Avery Hotel & Brasserie
• Oksana Gyulnazaryan, Area General Manager, Viceroy Washington DC & Hotel Zena
• James House, General Manager, TownePlace Suites Middleburg
• Hayley Hunt, General Manager, Hotel Longmont
• Casey Illig, General Manager, Fairfield Inn and Residence Inn Columbus OH
• Joe Imbrogno, General Manager, Reverb by Hard Rock Downtown Atlanta
• Patricia Janssens, General Manager, The Monarch San Antonio
• Noemi Kiss-Baldwin, General Manager, Limelight Aspen
• Brent Kitsu, General Manager, Appellation Lodi - Wine & Roses Resort and Spa
• Greg Leonard, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center
• Michael Linder, General Manager, The Mills House Charleston, Curio Collection by Hilton
• Alex Matthews, General Manager, Great Wolf Lodge Fitchburg Mass
• Alison Mitchell, General Manager, Apiary Hotel
• Emily Nelson, Area General Manager, Kennebunkport Resort Collection
• Stephen Power, Area General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach
• Erin Rogers, Dual General Manager, Fairfield and TownePlace Suites by Marriott Albuquerque Uptown
• Bhakti Salian, General Manager, Home 2 Suites Carlsbad, NM
• Quincy Washington, General Manager, Beechwood Hotel
• Carrie Williams, General Manager, Aspen Meadows Resort

“General managers are at the heart of every successful hospitality operation. They are leaders who elevate the guest experience, empower their teams and deliver results. Hotel Management proudly recognizes the 2026 GMs to Watch. They are an inspiring group of leaders whose vision, innovation and dedication are helping shape the next chapter of hospitality,” said Esther Hertzfeld, Executive Editor, Hospitality Group, Forge.

The 2026 GMs to Watch winers are featured online and in the October issue of Hotel Management. Click here to see the winners.

About Hotel Management, a Division of Forge Hospitality Group
Hotel Management creates content for the hospitality ecosystem with one shared goal of operating hotels efficiently and profitably. Hotel Management is a leading B2B centralized source for the latest news, trends and analysis across the hospitality industry. Stay up to date on breaking news in global and local development, technology, investment, operations, food & beverage, design and more.

About Forge
Forge is a leading global B2B events and media company, connecting buyers and sellers across high-value industries through live events, trusted media brands, digital products and year-round communities. Powered by first-party data, technology and deep market expertise, Forge helps businesses discover opportunities, build the right relationships and stay engaged well beyond the event itself. It is a company guided by a single purpose, Moving Markets.

For more information, visit forgelive.com.

Media Contact
Esther Hertzfeld
Hotel Management
Esther.Hertzfeld@forgelive.com