Highland Dallas Names Vern Lakusta General Manager
The Park Cities hotel has appointed a hospitality veteran with more than two decades of luxury experience to lead its operations.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Hotels
The Highland Dallas has appointed Vern Lakusta as general manager, according to a press release. Lakusta brings more than two decades of luxury hospitality experience to the Park Cities property.
Why it matters
The appointment places a leader with multi-property luxury background in charge of a Dallas hotel offering renovated rooms, a spa and meeting space. For Dallas readers, it signals leadership continuity at a major Park Cities hospitality property.
Lakusta has held roles at Harvest Inn, Hotel E, Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City and The Langham Huntington, where he spent nearly six years. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Hospitality Management from Toronto Metropolitan University and holds a Level 1 certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
The players
Vern Lakusta
Vern Lakusta is a luxury hospitality executive with more than two decades in the field, including prior leadership roles at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena and Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.
The Highland Dallas
The Highland Dallas is a full-service luxury hotel in Dallas' Park Cities neighborhood offering renovated rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa and meeting spaces.
The details
Lakusta will oversee guest experience, food and beverage, team development, financial performance and strategic initiatives at the hotel. The Highland Dallas, located in the Park Cities neighborhood, features renovated accommodations, an outdoor pool, a full-service spa and meeting spaces.
Timeline
2021: Lakusta began serving as managing director of Harvest Inn in St. Helena, Calif.
November 4, 2026: The Highland Dallas announced Lakusta's appointment as general manager.
Industry Dynamics
Lakusta's path through Harvest Inn, Hotel E, Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City and The Langham Huntington reflects a pattern of luxury hotel general managers built through rotations across independent and brand properties. The appointment continues that pattern in a Dallas market where upscale Park Cities hotels compete on service and amenities.
Travelers booking stays at The Highland Dallas may find a new general manager overseeing guest experience, dining and spa operations. The hotel's renovated rooms, pool and meeting spaces remain the core offerings for Dallas visitors.
The takeaway
Hotel leadership changes can shift service priorities, so travelers comparing Dallas properties may want to check current amenities and guest experience details before booking.
Further reading
Explore more hotel news in our Hotels section for Dallas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hotel Online.
