Slated to open next summer, the Fairmont Austinhas appointed several Fairmont veterans to executive positions. Shawna Gemmel will be the director of human resources, Fernando Teixeira will be the director of conference services and catering, and Matthew Day will be the group sales manager.
Gemmel has more than 22 years of administration experience—she started off at Fairmont Banff Springs, where she was a benefits administrator and human resources supervisor. Other Fairmont hotels she has worked for include some in Canada, the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates. These positions included assistant director and director of human resources. Before coming to Fairmont Austin, she was regional director of human resources for The Plaza, New York, Fairmont Washington D.C., and Fairmont Pittsburgh. She has a certificate in human resources management from the University of Calgary and a tourism and transportation diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College in Ontario.
Teixeira’s first role in the industry was catering manager for Le Royale Meridien King Edward in Toronto before being promoted director of catering. He then served as conference services and catering manager at Sheraton Centre Hotel, and director, conference services and catering at Fairmont Royal York, both Toronto based.While in Canada, he managed the largest banquet operation in Fairmont’s Canadian hotels and oversaw the planning of the G20 Summit, an event that hosted 34 of the country’s leaders and financial ministers. In 2011, Teixeira was appointed the director of conference services and catering at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Fernando received the Certified Meeting Planner certificate in 2003.
Day’s career in hospitality began in Maui at the Fairmont Kea Lani—he held positions such as front desk agent, leisure sales manager and group sales manager. While there, he was honored with the Fairmont Colleague of the Year in 2007. Day received a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Kansas.