BIZ BITES

Giuseppe Lama, a veteran of the luxury resort industry, has been named as the managing director of the Resort at Pelican Hill, the Irvine Co.’s lavish Newport Coast resort that is slated to open its first phase in November.

Lama, who was born in Italy and got his start working at boutique hotels in Europe, will oversee the resort’s restaurant, catering, weddings and culinary operations as well as services for the rental villas. His tenure will begin this month, and the Irvine Co. plans to appoint a general manager for the resort soon.

“Our intent is to create a destination that is as exceptional as its spectacular coastal setting,” Ralph Grippo, president of the Irvine Co.’s resort division, said in a release. “We selected Giuseppe in order to ensure that every aspect of our culinary, catering and wedding operations are the finest they can be. He is a consummate professional, with great passion for what he does.”

Lama most recently served as general manager of the Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa and has also worked for the Westin corporation and the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. He graduated from Oxford Polytechnic with a degree in hotel management and administration and attended the Hotel College in Bellagio, Italy.

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