NEW YORK, August 16, 2011— Officials at Hospitality Talent Scouts, Inc. (HTS), a leading hospitality executive search firm, today announced that Lynn Griffith (top right photo) has joined the firm as vice president of recruitment.
A 20-year human resources veteran, with in-depth experience in the New York hotel market, along with national relationships, Griffith joins the company after five years with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, where, as area director of people and culture for all their New York properties, she played a key role in creating a climate that earned the firm recognition as one of Crain’s Best Places to Work for three consecutive years.
Prior to joining Kimpton, she was director of human resources for Waldorf=Astoria NY and for The New York Palace Hotel where she implemented hiring practices that were instrumental in helping that property earn its fifth star.
“The rebounding hotel economy has created a real paradox,” said Frank Speranza (middle left photo) HTS CEO and founder.
“The good news is that there will be more jobs available over the next 12 to 24 months than at any time in at least the last five years.
“The bad news is that the top talent pool is in low supply and is cautious about responding to traditional job posting/advertising, making it more difficult for operators to locate and attract the best candidates. That paradox, and our own growth, is why hiring Lynn was such a strategic decision.”
Speranza said that the New York hotel job market is significantly ahead of the rest of the country, as it was the first to begin rebounding, but that other cities are starting to pick up momentum.
“Over the next 12 to 24 months, there will be a substantial number of new hotel openings, hotel ownership changes and the resultant hiring of new management companies.
“This confluence of events has created one of the largest pools of individuals looking for jobs, but one of the smallest in terms of talent who are willing to consider moving to new positions.
“They are not responding to operators’ advertising and are being extraordinarily discreet in their searches, choosing instead, to focus primarily on hospitality recruiters and individual contacts who are known to be trustworthy.
“Lynn knows where the hidden treasures are and will be able to place those gems in the right settings,” he said. “Lynn will add significant bench strength as we increase our leadership in the important New York market, as well as play a key role in sourcing candidates for property level and corporate positions throughout the U.S.”
In addition to recruiting, Griffith’s considerable human resources experience includes training, labor negotiations, compensation and benefits and employee relations, as well as strong relationships with many of New York’s largest, most renowned hotels.
“Our client hotels will not only benefit from Lynn’s tremendous Rolodex of talent, but also from her overall breadth of experience,” Speranza said.
Hospitality Talent Scouts, Inc. (HTS) is an executive search and consulting firm specializing in the human resources needs of hotels, restaurants, hospitals and retirement facilities. HTS is headquartered in New York, N.Y.
LOS ANGELES, CA –Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp. (MMCC) has named Anita Paryani (top right photo) to the position of vice president capital markets. 
