"A seasoned hotelier, Schaeffer joins Fairmont Ajman at an exciting time as Fairmont continues to expand its portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in the Middle East," said Fries.
He said, "With his extensive experience in the hotel industry, creativity and vision, no one is better equipped for elevating our brand presence in the UAE."
In this new position, Schaeffer will oversee the scheduled 2013 opening of the Fairmont Ajman.
The beachfront property will feature 252 guestrooms and suites, two luxurious penthouses, fitness and water sport facilities, 2,000 square meters of indoor function space as well as outdoor facilities.
Dining options will include an all-day dining outlet, with a multi-kitchen format and two private dining rooms, which will transform into an a la carte restaurant in the evenings focusing on modern Italian fare, as well as a lobby lounge, a Turkish restaurant, and cocktail bar and shisha terrace.
The sleek and contemporary resort is ideally situated on the Arabian Gulf, fronting 250 meters of unspoiled sandy beaches, and is within close proximity to both the Sharjah and Dubai International airports.
Schaeffer brings a wealth of knowledge to this position with over 20 years of experience with leading hospitality companies. He has held executive positions with Sonesta International in the Caribbean, Europe, Middle East and the United States, worked for Ritz Carlton in Miami and managed several Boutique Hotels on South Beach, Miami. He joined Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in 2008 as General Manager, for the residential component of the Fairmont on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai as part of the pre opening team.
Further assignments with Fairmont in the UAE have been with the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi and most recently as Hotel Manager, Fairmont Dubai where he was responsible for overseeing the 394 room Middle East flagship hotel, as well as the property's residential apartments and offices, elevating service levels and achieving financial goals.