Peter Wilde Leaves The Townsend, Hotel Names New Managing Director

After almost 13 years, Birmingham's high-end will have a new managing director.

On Monday, the hotel announced that Steven Kalczynski has been named managing director of the 4 Diamond-rated luxury hotel in downtown Birmingham.

Kalczynski, 57, replaces Peter Wilde, who led the hotel for 13 years. Wilde leaves the Townsend as his family prepares to move to Idaho.

"It's an honor to be selected as the new managing director of the Townsend Hotel," Kalczynski said. "I'm excited and look forward to becoming more deeply connected to the team, our guests and the Metro Detroit community."

Kalczynski brings more than 30 years experience in the hospitality industry to the Townsend. For a decade, Kalczynski worked with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, holding leadership positions as the general manager of the exclusive Ballantyne Resort & Spa in Charlotte, NC as well as the St. Regis Century Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

When Kalczynski was at the Ballantyne, he helped earn Starwood Hotels & Resorts a prestigious Tiffany Award in guest satisfaction.

Kalczynski has also worked outside the United States, holding senior managment positions with the Peninsula Group in Beijing, China; Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in Mumbai, India; and most recently, as the general manager of the Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel in Doha, Qatar.

A Massachusetts native, Kalczynski currenly lives in Charlotte though soon will be relocating to the Birmingham area with his wife and daughters.