The loft-style hotel, NYLO Providence/Warwick, opens in early August with all women in management's upper echelons. They are: Christine Nevers, general manager; Mari Palace, director of sales and marketing; Maggie Longo, food and beverage director; Susan Shaw, accounting manager; Angela Sabino, front office manager; Noris Castillo, property operations manager; and Sue Gallogly, sales manager.

"Our hiring culture is one of diversity and inclusion," says John Russell, CEO, NYLO Hotels. "Hiring all women managers was pure coincidence. NYLO looks for the best of class for all positions. Now we're extremely fortunate to have such a highly experienced and motivated senior staff for the launch of our brand in the Northeast."

"With their wealth of talent, experience and knowledge of the local market, these women will set the bar for success at each of our future properties," notes Patrick O'Neil, NYLO's executive vice president of operations. "As senior executives, they will play a integral role in the inception of the NYLO brand. The teams they in turn assemble will form a group of potential managers to grow with the hotel and the brand."

NYLO Providence/Warwick overlooks the scenic Pawtuxet River minutes from downtown Providence and the Narragansett beaches. The property is designed by Stephane Dupoux. Recognized by Hospitality Design as one of America's top 20 architect-designers, Dupoux designs and develops high-end restaurants and nightclubs in gateway cities around the globe.

The pioneering hotel has 163 guestrooms, called guest lofts, and more than 1,450 square feet of meeting and event space. Each guest loft has 300 square feet of bright, airy living space, with 10-foot-plus ceilings, polished concrete floors and expansive windows. The property offers a Pure Floor with allergy-friendly guest lofts. NYLO Providence/Warwick's ultra-social gathering place, The Loft, houses a restaurant, bar, library and game room with exposed brick walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. This soaring space opens onto a 3,000-square-foot terrace for al fresco dining and entertainment overlooking the river. Among The Loft's engaging lifestyle amenities: its one-of-a-kind nautical design, lively atmosphere, eclectic menu, free WiFi and original art and music by local artists.

General Manager

"NYLO Warwick is a fun hotel that is truly unique to the industry," said Christine Nevers. "I am thrilled to bring the NYLO experience to the Northeast and be a part of this exciting new brand."

As general manager, this 15-year hospitality veteran oversees all operations, including hotel sales and marketing, front of the house, and food and beverage.

Before joining NYLO, Nevers served in the dual role of general manager/director of sales and marketing for The Hotel Providence in the heart of downtown She directed all aspects of hotel operations, revenue management, and sales and marketing. Under her leadership, the hotel earned numerous distinctions, including: the 2007 and 2008 AAA Four-Diamond Award; Michelin Guide Four Star-Rating; and Expedia Top 100 Hotel of the World.

Before Hotel Providence, Nevers was director of revenue management at the Hotel Viking, a member of Historic Hotels of America, Newport, R.I. Her repositioning of the pricing structure resulted in increases in both room rates and occupancy. While she was there, Newport Life Magazine named the property Best Spa 2006. Hotel Viking also was Editors' Choice, 2005,Yankee Magazine.

Nevers began her career as a front office associate at the Westin Providence, a 200-room hotel located in downtown Providence and connected to the Rhode Island Convention Center. During her 11 years there, she gained broad experience, rising through the ranks first to front office manager and then to assistant director of housekeeping, and director of revenue management. At the Westin, Nevers served on the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Revenue Management Advisory Boards for initiatives to improve revenue per available room companywide.

Director of Sales & Marketing

Mari Palace brings to NYLO Providence/Warwick more than 18 years experience in hotel sales, operations and management. At NYLO, she will oversee all sales and marketing activities for leisure, business and group travel.

Before joining the company, Palace spent a decade at Courtyard by Marriott properties in New England. Most recently, she served as general manager at the Warwick Courtyard. Palace was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 92-room hotel, managing finances and department heads and working closely with the director of sales and marketing to secure corporate and group business. While there, she led initiatives that exceeded goals for overall profit as well as for guest and employee satisfaction.

Earlier in her career, Palace worked at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell, Conn., first as director of sales & marketing and then as assistant general manager. She began her career as a reservation supervisor at Basin Harbor Club, a historic golf resort on Lake Champlain in Vergennes, Vt. Later, she consistently met or exceeded goals as sales account manager at the Inn at Essex, a AAA four-diamond meetings hotel with gourmet restaurant in the Green Mountains outside Burlington, Vt.

Palace chairs the Rhode Island Women in Hospitality Council. She also is an active member of: the Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association, Providence/Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and Warwick Tourism Bureau.

Food & Beverage Director

Maggie Longo will oversee operations - including menu development and staff recruitment and training - in The Loft at NYLO Providence/Warwick. Throughout her 20-year hospitality career, she has won accolades for creativity, business acumen, team building skills and attention to detail.

Previously, Longo was general manager for Sage Restaurant Group, where she led the development and opening of Temple Downtown Restaurant + Lounge, a restaurant and bar that sits at the center of the downtown Providence social scene. Longo joined the group a year before the restaurant opened. As general manager, she was instrumental in developing its lively personality, menu and training systems.

Earlier, Longo served as corporate general manager at the Chow Fun Food Group, Providence, owner of some of the area's top restaurants. She joined the company as opening general manager of its second restaurant, Ten Prime Steak & Sushi, boasting an inventive menu, playful décor and 250-bottle wine cellar. Under Longo's direction, Ten Prime Steak & Sushi was named the area's Best Restaurant, 2001, Providence Journal. Longo was promoted quickly to corporate general manager of the entire Chow Fun Group. In her new role, she opened Big Fish, blending fresh seafood with Mediterranean and Asian influences She also participated in the rebranding of the group's original restaurant under its new name as XO Steakhouse, specializing in good wine, fine food and funky art in Providence's trendy East Side near downtown.

Longo's experience has taken her from the back of the house to the front. She served as executive sous chef at the AAA Four-Diamond Hyatt Regency Newport Hotel & Spa overlooking the Narragansett Bay. Longo proposed and put into place a change in service to all-day dining, resulting in an immediate 25 percent jump in traffic during dinner hours. Before Hyatt, as operations manager at Pastry Art, Inc., Central Falls, R.I., she quadruped annual sales for this full-service gourmet pastry company serving upscale hotels, caterers and restaurants throughout Southern New England.

Longo holds a an Associate in Occupational Studies Degree in Culinary Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design, where she later served as an instructor. This multi-faceted chef is a former Providence Riverfront Festival Pasta Challenge Award winner. Among her other distinctions: Cook of the Year and Restaurant Employee of the Year, both from the Rhode Island Hospitality Association.

Accounting Manager

Susan Shaw comes to NYLO with a dozen years of hospitality experience. Previously, she was assistant general manager at Hilton Garden Inn, Warwick. She oversaw all aspects of the pre-opening for all departments. Once the hotel opened, she managed the front office, housekeeping, sales, food and beverage, and engineering. She also was responsible for human resources, accounting and guest satisfaction.

Earlier, Shaw served as director of sales and as a member of the opening and pre-opening team at Courtyard by Marriott, also in Warwick. She led all sales and marketing efforts for the hotel, including advertising, promotions and collateral. As a member of the hotel's executive team, she also supervised the sales staff.

Shaw began her career at Marriott International Corporate Headquarters, Washington, D.C. She worked first as a senior program specialist and later as in information and process coordinator in the Lodging Sales Division.

Among her many distinctions Shaw holds numerous service and financial awards from both Hilton and Marriott.. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from Endicott College in Beverly, Mass.

Front Office Manager

Angela Sabino will oversee front office operations, including concierge and guest services.

"Having worked for renowned hotels with various concepts, Angela brings a new dynamic to NYLO Providence/Warwick," explains Nevers, the general manager. "We're delighted to have her in this key role to ensure guest satisfaction."

Previously, Sabino was the front office manager at the historic Providence Biltmore Hotel in the heart of downtown. She directed front desk activities, including concierge, VIP services, and staff hiring and training. Sabino developed and implemented frequent guest service and employee training programs Among her other responsibilities, she opened and merchandised the hotel gift shop.

Before the Biltmore, Sabino was the front office shift manager at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, NJ. She managed front desk operations for the 2,000-room property, including concierge, premium services, and front services. She also developed employee motivational and training programs and coordinated schedules for more than 50 employees.

Sabino graduated from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in business and hospitality management.

Property Operations Manager

Noris Castillo comes to NYLO after nearly a decade at the Westin Providence. While there, she was promoted through the ranks, from room attendant to housekeeping supervisor and finally to housekeeping manager. In this role, she ran a 75-person department, overseeing training, payroll and scheduling.

Castillo began her career as a restaurant supervisor at the Radisson Hotel, Englewood. N. J., where she managed a staff of ten, with responsibilities for customer service, bar inventory, payroll and scheduling. This bilingual hospitality veteran holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel Management from Pontificie Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestro, Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic.

Sales Manager

As sales manager, Sue Gallogly brings more than a decade of experience to NYLO Providence/Warwick, where she will oversee sales for the room, group, and food and beverage business.

Previously, Gallogly was sales manager at the Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel, Warwick, a 206-room meetings hotel close to downtown. She consistently exceeded her goals for group sales, new business and average daily rates, selling event space and overnight rooms in the SMERF, government, corporate, and association markets.

Gallogly began her career at the Westin Providence. During her four years there, she held various positions, including sales assistant with responsibilities for meetings, weddings and social events. Gallogly holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Sales & Meeting Management from Johnson & Wales University, Providence.

NYLO Warwick and Pontiac Mills

Overlooking the scenic Pawtuxet River, NYLO Providence/Warwick sits on the northeast corner of Greenwich Ave./Route 5 and Knight Street in historic Pontiac Mills. The hotel is convenient to TF Green International Airport, Rhode Island's leading retail corridor, Route 2, golf courses, parks, marinas and some of New England's most popular beaches spread along Warwick's 39 miles of coastline. Poised to become one of Rhode Island's premier mixed-use communities, Pontiac Mills once was home to a bustling textile mill with handsome redbrick buildings dating back to the mid 1800s. When completed, the revitalized, master-planned development will house an eclectic mix of restaurants, residences, businesses and boutiques.

About NYLO

Atlanta-based NYLO Hotels offers a new class of hotels that combines the dynamic qualities of urban residential loft-style living with the best-of-the-industry features of leading hotel brands. The properties will feature bright, spacious loft accommodations, state-of-the-art business center, gym and 24-hour, healthy-alternative restaurant and bar. They will cater to business and leisure travelers seeking an energized alternative to the bland, one-size-fits-all experience typically found in mid-priced lodgings. For more information, visit www.nylohotels.com.

Media Contacts: Sharlet Brennan, YPartnership, 407-875-1111 Sharlet.Brennan@ypartnership.com