TORONTO–(Marketwire – August 27, 2010) –  A seasoned team of hospitality industry veterans has joined the pre-opening effort for Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto®, whose 261 luxurious hotel rooms and suites are slated to open to downtown guests in early 2011. They join recently appointed General Manager Mickael Damelincourt at the 60-story tower, which will soar above the corner of Bay and Adelaide Streets as Canada’s tallest residential building.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome three industry stars to the Trump Toronto team, each of whom offers a wealth of experience on the luxury hospitality industry and specifically the Toronto market,” said Damelincourt, who was formerly executive assistant manager of Trump International Hotel & Tower^® Chicago. “I’m confident that we have assembled the finest executives possible to lead the hotel through opening and into successful operation.”

Mary Ann Gamboa, CHSP, is the new director of sales & marketing, bringing 19 years of sales & management experience to her new role. She was previously director of sales and marketing for the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto — the world’s largest Courtyard — where she led a team of nine professionals for three years. For two years prior, she held the same title at the Radisson Hotel Admiral Toronto-Harbourfront. Gamboa’s rapid rise on the Ontario hotel scene also includes leading sales positions at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville and the Sandalwood Hotel & Suites in Mississauga. She began her career in her native Philippines, accumulating seven years of experience as a sales manager at various hotels, most recently The Holiday Inn Galleria Manila, before immigrating to Canada in 1998. A graduate of the University of the Philippines with a degree in tourism, Gamboa recently received the Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP) designation from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AH&LEI).

Director of Finance Sebastian Morton Lightly joins the Trump team from Delta Hotels & Resorts, also in Toronto. From 2008 to 2010, he served as director of finance & accounting/real estate, overseeing the company’s transition from Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ ownership. For three years prior, he was regional controller for Toronto’s 1,590-room Delta Chelsea Hotel. Before joining Delta, Lightly served for six years with Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, relocating to Toronto from London to assume the role of financial controller for Le Royal Meridien King Edward (2001-2005) after a year in the U.K. corporate office as assistant financial accountant. His early career also includes roles at Brown’s Hotel, Raffles and The Strand Palace Hotel, Forte, both in London. Lightly holds an ACMA designation through the Chartered Institute of Management Accounts (CIMA), as well as a B.A. (hons) in hospitality management from Bournemouth University and a national diploma in hotel, catering and institutional operations from York College of Arts & Technology in the U.K. He is active in the Toronto branch of CIMA.

Joining the future Trump hotel as director of human resources is Pete Kangalee. He previously served the same role at the Hyatt Regency Toronto as a member of the executive opening team brought on in 2008 to transition the former Holiday Inn to the Hyatt brand. Kangalee’s tenure at the Hyatt Regency Toronto culminated a 10-year career with Hyatt, including two years as director of human resources of the Hyatt Regency Calgary and, earlier, assistant director positions with Hyatt Regency hotels in Chicago, Columbus, Ohio and Vancouver. In 2005, he was named Manager of the Year for the Hyatt Regency Columbus. A graduate of Simon Fraser University in British Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Kangalee also brings to his role 10 years of operations management experience, including five years as area operations manager for Western Inventory Service in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto, to be located in the heart of Toronto’s financial district, will hold the title of Canada’s tallest residential building at 60 stories. Its stone, steel and glass façade will serve as a beacon on the Toronto skyline, and will be crowned by an articulated spire. Staying true to Trump’s reputation for providing the ultimate travel experience, guests will enjoy 261 luxurious rooms and suites boasting spectacular views of Lake Ontario, world-class dining including an exquisite five-star restaurant on the 30^th floor with spectacular views of the surrounding city, The Spa at Trump^®, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and the signature services of the Trump Attaché^™. For more information, please visit www.trumptorontohotel.com.

About Trump^®Hotel Collection

Launched in October 2007, Trump^® Hotel Collection is the next generation of luxury hospitality — one that is raising the bar in the top-tier travel experience with a level of customized service unrivaled in the market today. Presided over by internationally renowned developer Donald J. Trump and his three grown children — Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric — the prestigious portfolio includes the highly acclaimed Trump International Hotel & Tower^® New York, Trump International Hotel & Tower^® Chicago, Trump International Hotel™ Las Vegas, Trump International Hotel™ Waikiki Beach Walk^® and the newly opened Trump SoHo™ New York. Additional hotel projects are under development around the globe, including Toronto, Panama, Dubai, Cap Cana, Scotland and New Orleans. Trump^® Hotel Collection is headquartered at Trump Tower, 725 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Connect with Trump Hotel Collection on our social media pages.

Click here to see all recent news from this company