Jacoupy Quits as President of Biltmore Hotel

Bernard J. Jacoupy, president of Westgroup Biltmore Inc. and founder of Bernard’s, the French restaurant at the landmark Biltmore hotel, resigned Wednesday to become general manager of the Newport Meridien, a new hotel in Orange County.

In a statement, Westgroup Hotels Inc., which owns the Biltmore, said Jacoupy “has been given a tremendous opportunity with potential for future growth.” Jacoupy, who has been with the hotel for 10 years, was named to the president’s post last November.

“Bernard’s will stay the same,” added Ed de Vries, Jacoupy’s successor as head of the Biltmore with the title of vice president and managing director. De Vries had been general manager of the Adolphus hotel in Dallas, also owned by Los Angeles-based Westgroup Hotels. Following its purchase of the Biltmore in 1984, Westgroup has been renovating the landmark building and has joined First Boston Real Estate & Development Corp. in erecting an adjacent 24-story office tower.

In a simultaneous announcement Wednesday, Westgroup said Jim Manion, general manager of its Newporter Resort in Newport Beach, has been promoted to president of Westgroup, replacing Bob Williamson, who left to form a hotel management company.