Giuseppe Lama’s tenure as managing director of the Resort at Pelican Hill ended after about nine years.
The resort in Newport Coast is owned by Irvine Company in Newport Beach and run under its resort properties division.
A search for Lama’s replacement was under way. Additional details on his departure weren’t available.
Irvine Co. Resort Properties President Ralph Grippo “is intimately involved in Pelican Hill’s day-to-day operations, in partnership with our executive committee,” Pelican Hill spokesperson Kate Starr said.
Grippo declined to set a specific time frame for the search but said, “We’re optimistic that within the next 30 to 60 days” the next managing director of the resort will be found.
He said the most important factor in the new hire is “someone who fits within the culture of the Irvine Co. and the resort team.”
Lama had led Pelican Hill since October 2007; the resort opened in November 2008. He worked for Westin and for Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. LLC and had been general manager at two San Diego County properties before arriving at Pelican Hill.
—Paul Hughes
