JW Marriott Detroit Water Square, Detroit’s first JW Marriott, has introduced its executive committee ahead of the hotel’s February 2027 debut.
The new hotel, adjacent to Huntington Place in downtown Detroit on the site for the former Joe Louis Arena, will add more than 600 guest rooms, four dining concepts, an 11,000-square-foot Spa by JW, and more than 53,000 square feet of meeting and event space with direct access via skybridge to Huntington Place.
“This executive committee brings together deep Detroit and Marriott experience across every facet of the hotel operation and sales,” says Joleisha Bradley, general manager of JW Marriott Detroit Water Square. “As we build the opening team and prepare to welcome our first guests, we’re focused on creating an experience that feels distinctly connected to Detroit while delivering on the standards expected of the JW Marriott brand.”
With nearly 30 years of hospitality experience, Bradley is a seasoned hotel leader with experience spanning operations, team development, and property openings. Most recently, she served as general manager of Dearborn Inn, Autograph Collection, where she led the landmark hotel’s reopening following a transformative renovation. As general manager of JW Marriott Detroit Water Square, Bradley will lead the pre-opening journey, overseeing the opening team and guest experience as the hotel prepares to welcome guests in 2027.
Scott Stinebaugh is director of sales and marketing. He brings more than 30 years of hospitality sales and marketing experience to his role.
A longtime Detroit hospitality leader, Stinebaugh most recently served in the same capacity at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, where he helped lead the hotel’s growth, repositioning, and record-setting performance. Throughout his career, Stinebaugh has held leadership roles across leading luxury brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, as well as independent boutique properties, bringing experience across luxury hospitality, sales strategy and market development. Earlier in his career, Stinebaugh helped launch The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, adding pre-opening experience to his background in hotel sales and marketing. He has built lasting relationships with clients, industry leaders and community partners, with a focus on driving revenue and strengthening the hotel’s presence in the market.
John Ridge is director of finance and accounting. He brings more than a decade of Marriott finance leadership experience, most recently serving as director of finance and accounting at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. In that role, he exceeded budgeted profit by 11 percent, improved GOP margin, and led his team to achieve a 95 percent Leadership Index score.
Throughout his career, Ridge has held finance leadership positions at several Marriott properties, including Detroit Marriott Troy, Dearborn Inn, Autograph Collection, Marriott Marquis Chicago, and JW Marriott Chicago, among others.
Lisa Proctor is director of human resources. She began her Marriott career in the early 1990s at JW Marriott Washington, D.C., the first ever JW Marriott property, and has since held leadership roles at properties including The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn and Vail Marriott Mountain Resort. Most recently, Proctor served as director of human resources at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, where she led the resort to a record 91 percent Associate Engagement Index in 2024 and guided the team through several major milestones.
Dale Reyes is director of event operations. She joins the JW Marriott Detroit Water Square team with more than 16 years of hospitality leadership, most recently serving as director of event management at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, where she was also a member of the executive committee. She led one of the hotel’s largest operational divisions, overseeing group and catering operations while driving improvements in event satisfaction, associate engagement and hotel performance. Reyes’ Marriott career also includes leadership roles with The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Marriott Manila Hotel, and Cebu City Marriott.
Desmond Vasquez if the resident manager. With 13 years of experience with Marriott International, Vasquez brings a background in hotel operations and leadership, including front office, housekeeping, and food and beverage. Most recently, he served as director of operations at the Dearborn Inn, Autograph Collection, where he led the team through the hotel’s renovation and reopening. His career also includes leadership experience at Orlando World Center Marriott and Houston Marriott Marquis.
Daniele Trivero is director of food and beverage. Trivero brings international luxury hospitality experience spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean to his role. Most recently, he served as executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, where he led culinary operations across the hotel’s signature restaurant, banquets and events, club lounge, and in-room dining. His career includes leadership roles with The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott and JW Marriott, as well as pre-opening experience at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas and JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity. With expertise in luxury dining, multi-outlet operations and team leadership, Trivero is expected to play an integral role in shaping the culinary and dining experiences at JW Marriott Detroit Water Square.
Erhan Buyukdereli is director of engineering. With more than 20 years of engineering and hospitality experience, Buyukdereli brings a background in luxury hotel operations, new hotel openings, capital projects, and infrastructure management to his role. Throughout his career, Buyukdereli has held leadership roles with brands including Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt, where he led high-performing engineering teams and oversaw complex renovation and CAPEX initiatives. Known for his commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and elevating the guest experience.
