Vistana Signature Experiences last week announced that Ryan Nobriga has been appointed to general manager of The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, and Angela Nolan has been named area managing director, Hawaii.

KAANAPALI – Vistana Signature Experiences, formerly Starwood Vacation Ownership and now an operating business of Interval Leisure GroupSM, announced that Ryan Nobriga has been appointed to general manager of The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas.

“Ryan is an inspiring story of an individual whose passion, drive and perseverance have paved the way for his success,” said Angela Nolan, area managing director, Hawaii, Vistana Signature Experiences. “His proven leadership and commitment to making The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas a home away from home for our owners and guests make him well-suited for this position.”

Nobriga joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts in November 1997 as a security officer at The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. His talents and skillset were quickly recognized by the resort’s leaders, and he was promoted within one year to guest service manager, later taking on the role of beverage manager.

In 2002, Nobriga briefly left the hospitality industry and worked for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for six months. He soon realized that his passion was in the hotel business, and he returned to The Sheraton Maui. He rose steadily by obtaining leadership positions in Food and Beverage, Front Office and Property Operations, where he was awarded numerous distinctions, including Best in Class associate engagement results and Manager of the Year.

In October 2011, Nobriga joined The Westin Kaanapali Leadership Team as hotel manager. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in leading the team to industry-setting guest experience index scores and multiple commendations for excellence in sustainability.

Nobriga is native to Hawaii, born and raised on Oahu. He attended Menlo College in California for two years and returned to Oaahu to complete his Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

In related news, Vistana Signature Experiences announced that Nolan has been appointed to area managing director, Hawaii.

In this role, Nolan has been uniquely positioned to oversee all of the Vistana Signature Experiences properties in the Hawaiian Islands: Kauai’s The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, and Maui’s The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas and The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, which is scheduled to open in 2017. She is tasked with ensuring that the region is maximizing its strategic value to the company.

Since Aug. 8, 2011, Nolan has served as general manager of The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, where she has overseen all resort operations, strategic planning, homeowners association board and owner relations.

Under her leadership, the resort has been recognized for its outstanding achievements in sustainability, food and beverage, financial success, associate engagement and for its avid support in the community. She also led the resort to its first AAA Four Diamond distinction, which it has held for six consecutive years.

“Angela has been an inspirational leader for The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas and a great role model for her team,” said Thorp Thomas, senior vice president, Vistana Signature Experiences. “Her strong performance, passion for our customers and commitment to the islands made her an obvious choice to lead our Hawaii resort operations.”

While still in college, Nolan began her career in the hospitality industry in 1995 as an intern at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa and secured a coveted management trainee position immediately following college graduation.

She held multiple leadership positions at the Kapalua Bay Hotel; Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa; Trump International Hotel, Las Vegas; and Planet Hollywood Towers by Westgate, Las Vegas before serving as hotel manager for The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas.

Additionally, Nolan supports many organizations, including the Kaanapali Beach Resort Association, American Resort Development Association (ARDA), Maui Cultural Lands and Na Wahine Ku ‘Ilima o ka Leo Kamaehu. She is also president of the Kaanapali North Beach Master Association, chair of the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau board and vice chair of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.

Nolan earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Business Administration from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.