Personnel

Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, Introduces Key Members of Executive Team

January 20, 2023

Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, Hawai’i’s most iconic retreat reopening on the historic Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawai’i in Summer 2023, is pleased to introduce several members of its executive committee. Appointed to support the pre-opening efforts of this highly anticipated destination is Valerie Ozaki as Director of Talent & Culture, Nattha Chutinthranond as Director of Finance Business Partner, and Daniel Kimura as Director of Engineering. Together Valerie, Nattha, and Daniel will be responsible for readying the resort for its debut across their key functions and leading their respective departments throughout opening year and beyond.

“We are thrilled to have Valerie, Nattha, and Daniel on the pre-opening team and are confident that their contributions will be invaluable in launching Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort to its fullest potential,” said Sandra Estornell, Managing Director of Kona Village. “With the reimagination of this iconic property, we are commanding the highest levels of care and consideration in everything we do. Our new team members share our commitment to honoring the heritage of the resort and destination and placing this as our utmost priority. They bring exceptional expertise to their departments, and we are looking forward to continuing to make great strides towards our upcoming launch under their leadership.”

As Director of Talent & Culture, Valerie Ozaki is responsible for the leadership and management of the property’s Human Resources department, including matters related to employee recruiting, retention, learning and development and compliance. She enters the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts organization from Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, where she most recently held the position of Director of People & Culture at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail. Her professional background also includes many years spent working across the islands of Hawai’i at properties including Four Seasons Resort O’ahu at Ko Olina, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, and Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.

In the role of Director of Finance Business Partner, Nattha Chutinthranond will see her seventh hotel opening with Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort. Her responsibilities include the overall management of all finance, accounting and purchasing functions, including but not limited to safeguarding all assets, strategic planning and budgeting, and compliance with internal controls and procedures. Throughout her career, Nattha has held various hotel finance roles across the upscale boutique and luxury segments. Her most recent position was Director of Finance Business Partner at Rosewood Washington, D.C., assisting with the property’s reopening after an extensive renovation in 2019. Prior to this, she was with InterContinental Hotel Group’s Kimpton Boutique Hotels + Restaurants, where she ultimately served as Multi-Unit Director of Finance for the collection’s Hotel Rouge (now known as the Kimpton Banneker Hotel), Topaz Hotel, and Mason & Rook (now known as Viceroy Washington DC). She began her hospitality finance career with Kimpton in Massachusetts at the Hotel Marlowe.

As Director of Engineering, Daniel Kimura is responsible for all aspects of the Engineering department including the development and implementation of a rooms maintenance program, the proper operation of all heating, ventilation, refrigeration and mechanical equipment, and the training, supervision and management of all respective staff. He joins the team from Kukio Golf & Beach Club Kailua-Kona, where he held the position of Chief Engineer and oversaw all operations and maintenance of the club’s vast facilities and infrastructure and managed his team through the property’s recent renovation. He has held several other roles across the Hawaiian hospitality landscape including Director of Engineering at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, Director of Engineering and Interim General Manager at Kaanapali Beach Club, and Assistant Director of Engineering at the Hyatt Regency Maui.

Opening this summer, Kona Village will continue the legacy of Hawaii’s most illustrious retreat. Drawing inspiration from the history of the site, local culture and natural elements to create a unique guest experience that complements the distinctive Hawaiian setting, the reimagined property will offer 150 guestrooms and suites and an array of world-class amenities including differentiated dining concepts and a full service spa.

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