THE TEAM

Founder | Principal

JW Bibbins is a hospitality industry veteran with years of experience in the field of hospitality search and recruitment. He began his career in the fast-paced New York City dining scene, working his way up from waiting tables at French restaurateur and Michelin-starred chef Laurent Manrique’s Millesime in the Carlton Hotel to managing the front-of-house for celebrity chef David Burke.

With his deep understanding of the hospitality industry, JW has developed a reputation as a skilled recruiter and talent acquisition specialist. Over the years, he has successfully placed top industry talent, including C-Suite Executives, Directors, Executive Chefs, and General Managers at upscale hotels, high-end restaurants, and nationally recognized and emerging concepts across the US.

JW has worked with a wide range of hospitality industry leaders, including Aman Hotels, Sydell Group, ZUMA, The Standard Hotel, The Wythe Hotel, The Knickerbocker Hotel, The Lowell Hotel, James Hotel Soho, Starr Restaurants, The Lambs Club, and Mah Ze Dahr Bakery. He is known for his ability to identify and attract top talent for even the most challenging roles and for his commitment to building long-lasting relationships with both clients and candidates.

Overall, JW's extensive experience in the hospitality industry and his proven track record in recruitment make him a highly sought-after expert in the field of hospitality search and recruitment. His ability to identify and attract top talent for his clients has helped numerous organizations build high-performing teams and achieve their business objectives.

Advisor

Matt Black supports JWB Hospitality as an Advisor, bringing a deep breadth of Executive Recruitment and HR strategy and execution experience to the table.  Matt has hired over 150 full-time employees, primarily in senior to C-Suite positions, for internationally acclaimed venture-backed hospitality brands, commercial real estate owners/operators, as well as consumer brand-focused Venture Capital and Private Equity firms.  Matt specializes in partnering with impactful, high-growth, consumer-centric businesses to develop and execute on value-add organization design and full-cycle executive recruitment.  Some brands Matt has worked with include but are not limited to: Sydell Group, SH Hotels & Resorts, Tishman Speyer, Global Holdings Management, The Durst Organization, The Collective: Co-Living, Jose Andres’ ThinkFoodGroup, by CHLOE. (Bain Capital Double Impact & Kitchen Fund), and Oath Pizza (Breakaway Ventures)

Executive Search Consultant

Nicole Gappa is a seasoned hospitality recruitment professional with years of experience in the industry. As an Executive Search Consultant at JWB Hospitality, Nicole plays a critical role in identifying and recruiting top talent for a diverse portfolio of luxury hotel and restaurant clients.

Nicole has a deep understanding of the skills and experience required for success in the hospitality industry. She has developed a vast network of contacts in the industry and is known for her ability to identify and attract highly qualified candidates for even the most challenging roles. With a passion for building long-lasting relationships with both clients and candidates, Nicole works tirelessly to ensure that each placement is a perfect match for both parties.

In addition to her recruitment expertise, Nicole brings a wealth of hospitality industry experience to her role. Prior to joining JWB Hospitality, she worked alongside the CEO of a vertically integrated hospitality group overseeing the design, development, operations, and consulting of multi venue concepts within hotel properties and some of New York’s most successful food and beverage venues; giving her a unique perspective on the skills and qualities that make for a successful hospitality professional.

Overall, Nicole's extensive experience in hospitality and her proven track record in recruitment make her an invaluable asset to any organization looking to build a high-performing team in the hospitality industry.

Executive Search Consultant 

Nancy Anthony is graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and brings over fifteen years’ experience in the NYC restaurant industry to JWB Hospitality.

She began a career in management with Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality group at MoMA’s The Modern. Building a strong operational background in all aspects of the business, she left the helm of The Modern after more than seven years to become a manager with Thomas Keller’s Per Se. There, Nancy thrived in an intensely competitive environment, learning the intricacies of managing a three-Michelin-starred dining room. 

Training and building strong team cultures remained at the core of her leadership skills and were key to success in the role of Operations Director for Gabriel Kreuther, helping them to achieve a second Michelin star within their first three years of operation and helping to grow their handcrafted chocolate business.

Most recently, Nancy was the Director of Restaurants for Daniel Boulud at the notable midtown One Vanderbilt skyscraper and General Manager of the recently opened Le Pavillon, an ambitious and highly regarded addition to the Dinex Group.