SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
CONFERENCE PRODUCER AND CO-FOUNDER
HARRY JAVER
President - The Conference Bureau, Inc.
Harry Javer is the founder and president of The Conference Bureau. In 1994, Harry created and co-founded The Lodging Conference, which is
now in its 21st year. Harry is the current chairman of the AH&LEF Fund Development Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the Annual
Giving Campaign. The Lodging Conference has sponsored AH&LEF scholarship recipients to attend the conference for the last 13 years. With 34
years of experience creating and running conferences, seminars, concerts and tradeshows, Harry has produced events featuring such notables
as: Al Gore, Rudy Giuliani, Sir Richard Branson, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Donald Trump, Pete Peterson, Bono, Charlton Heston, Anthony Robbins,
Magic Johnson, Deepak Chopra, Jerry Lewis, Joe Torre, George Foreman, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Joe Montana, and thousands of America’s
corporate leaders. Harry is an advisor to some of the nation’s leading live event companies including One Day University, and The Learning
Annex. The Conference Bureau has also co-produced the Rock N’ Roll Fantasy Camp. A graduate of Stony Brook University, Harry resides in New York City
with his wife Elizabeth and son Jack.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
MATTHEW D. AHO
Consultant - Akerman LLP
Matthew Aho helps clients identify and pursue opportunities at the nexus of Cuba policy and business. During his years at the Council of the
Americas, the Western Hemisphere’s premiere business membership organization, Matthew led efforts to unite senior executives of select-Fortune
500 companies with officials from the U.S. departments of State, Commerce, Treasury, and the National Security Council to discuss topics
including financial services, telecommunications, energy, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, and agriculture. Matthew is a recognized authority on the
legal and regulatory frameworks comprising the U.S. embargo on trade with Cuba and frequently accompanies clients on trips to the island. He
is also a member of the Cuba Study Group. (Not admitted to the practice of law.) Areas of experience include Cuba, International and Latin
America and the Caribbean. Matthew has participated in several industry events as a panelist and has authored articles for Americas Quarterly
Blog. He has appeared in numerous industry publications as an expert on U.S.-Cuba relations. Matthew received his M.A. from Columbia University, School of
International and Public Affairs in 2009; International Affairs, International Economic Policy and a B.A. from Bard College in 2002; Political Studies.
JAMES ‘JIM’ ALDERMAN
Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer - Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
A seasoned real estate, private equity finance and development veteran, Jim Alderman brings more than 30 years of experience to the hospitality
industry. As Kimpton’s senior vice president of development and acquisitions and chief development officer, Jim is responsible for directing and
coordinating property acquisitions, real estate development and management contracts across the brand. In addition, he is part of the senior
executive committee at Kimpton that oversees day-to-day management of all company operations. Prior to Kimpton, Jim served as a principal
for Access Point Financial. Additionally, previous posts have included executive vice president, global development for the Wyndham Hotel
Group and executive vice president of hotel development for Starwood Capital, as well as serving as a senior vice president, acquisitions and
development for Kimpton from 2005-2007 and 2013 - present. Throughout his career, he has been involved in the acquisition, development, joint
venture and financing of over five billion dollars in real estate projects on a global basis. He has helped guide the strategy and branding of hundreds of hotel
projects from independent boutiques through ultra-luxury. Jim is a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in real estate and serves as an executive
board member for The Center of Real Estate Education and Research at the university.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
ANDREW ALEXANDER
President - Red Roof Inn
Andrew C. Alexander has led Red Roof Inn as its President since 2009. Mr. Alexander has successfully engineered a revival for the economylodging national brand by implementing a “best of class” strategy to make Red Roof Inn the preferred hotel brand in its segment. Mr. Alexander
also leads Red Roof Inn’s industry-leading economy hotel management company. Prior to joining Red Roof, Mr. Alexander was an executive
at Renaissance Hotels and Resorts from 1995 to 1997, and Boykin Lodging Company from 1997 to 2006. Mr. Alexander joined Red Roof in
September 2007 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel and was promoted to Executive Vice President, overseeing the Finance, Human
Resources, Real Estate, Risk Management and Legal departments in 2008. Before working in the lodging industry, Mr. Alexander was an attorney
in the commercial finance and real estate group at the law firm of Calfee, Halter & Griswold, LLP in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Alexander earned his
Juris Doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1989 and his undergraduate degree from The George Washington University in
1986. Mr. Alexander and his family reside in Columbus, Ohio, where he is involved with several philanthropic ventures, including Flying Horse Farms.
ROBERT ALTER
President - Seaview Investors, LLC
Robert Alter, one of the premier hotel investment and management executives in the industry, is currently President of Seaview Investors, LLC, a
real estate investment management company that operates hotels in Southern California and Colorado. Mr. Alter is also Chairman Emeritus and
Founder of Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. (NYSE: SHO). After founding Sunstone in 1985, he took the company public in 1995 with 10 hotels and
a total enterprise value of $75 million with revenues of $30 million. During the 22 year period of Mr. Alter’s position as CEO, Sunstone acquired
125 hotel properties with over 20,000 guest rooms, and disposed of 80 hotels. Sunstone currently owns interests in 41 hotels operated under
such brands as Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, and Fairmont, and has a total enterprise value over $3.5 billion dollars. Mr. Alter is past president of the
Holiday Inn Franchise Association; former member of the Marriott Franchise board; and, past President of the IAHI and is on its Board of Directors.
He was also on the Board of Directors of MINA; served as Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee for the American Hotel & Lodging Association; and,
was Chairman of AHLA PAC. Mr. Alter is a graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.
JIM AMOROSIA
President, Chief Executive Officer - G6 Hospitality LLC
Jim Amorosia is President, Chief Executive Officer of Motel 6 and Studio 6 and oversees all strategic direction of these brands for G6 Hospitality
LLC. Amorosia has more than 30 years of hotel operations experience and is recognized as one of the key leaders in the economy segment. He
joined Motel 6 in 1985 and has held management positions in various disciplines within the company. Amorosia assumed the role of President
and Chief Operations Officer for Motel 6 and Studio 6 in 2007, which he held until his promotion in 2011 to President, Chief Executive Officer
of Motel 6 and Studio 6. He has been featured in major industry publications for his segment expertise and industry perspective. Under his
leadership, the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brand continues to grow and expand across North America. A current member of the AH&LA, two-term
commissioner with the California Board of Travel and Tourism, and a past director of the Bay Area Urban League, Amorosia holds a Bachelor’s
degree from the Crane School of Music and a Master of Business Administration degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.
CRAIG AMOS
Executive Vice President Capital Investments - Apple Hospitality REIT
Australian native Craig Amos currently serves as Executive Vice President of Capital Investments for Apple Hospitality REIT and Apple REIT Ten Inc.
Combined these companies currently hold 226 Hilton and Marriott branded hotels located in 33 states within the US. At Apple REIT Companies,
Craig is responsible for overseeing the Capital Investments team, representing the interests of the owner in order to increase shareholder value
through the development, protection, maintenance and improvement of hotel assets. Craig Holds a Master of Business Administration from Duke
University, and is an Alumnus of the Harvard Graduate School of Design AMD Real Estate Program. He and his wife Jennifer reside in Richmond,
Virginia with their two daughters.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
ADAM ANDERSON
Director of Industry Relations - Expedia, Inc. Lodging Partner Services
Adam is responsible for educating the hotel industry on the benefits of working with Expedia. Leveraging his experience in technology, combined
with his more than five years at Expedia, Adam is an authoritative voice on trends and opportunities to help hoteliers maximize their revenue from
online channels. In addition to his responsibilities at Expedia, Adam also serves on the board of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association
International (HSMAI) for the Americas. Prior to this, Adam was director of PR and director of global communications for Expedia.com and
Expedia Worldwide respectively, where he led PR and social media strategy for the brand. Before Expedia, he worked in marketing and PR
functions for technology companies Microsoft and Dolby Laboratories.
SCOTT ANDREWS
Senior Managing Director, Hotel Group - GE Captial Franchise Finance
Scott Andrews is the Senior Managing Director of the Hotel Lending Group for GE Capital, Franchise Finance located in Scottsdale, AZ. He has
led the national originations platform for the past 4 years. Prior to joining Franchise Finance, Scott led the national select service hotel originations
team for GE Real Estate / Business Property. Throughout his 16-year career at GE Capital, Scott also held various roles of increasing responsibility
with GE Real Estate / Business Property including senior account manager, vice-president region sales manager for the Mid-South region and vicepresident region sales manager for the national select service hotel group. Prior to joining GE, Scott held various commercial lending positions
with Bank of America, South Trust Bank and Wells Fargo. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration as well as a Masters Degree
in Business Administration from East Carolina University. He enjoys triathlons, golf and motocrossing with his twin boys.
THOMAS J. BARDENETT
Chief Operating Officer - Extended Stay America
Thomas J. Bardenett currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Extended Stay America – the largest owner/operated hotel in the United
States. Professional integrity, strong leadership, and a history of driving significant gains are the cornerstones of Mr. Bardenett’s more than 27
years in hospitality distinguished by sustained accomplishments. As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Bardenett is passionate about deepening associate engagement and guest satisfaction initiatives to deliver an enhanced guest experience for Extended Stay America’s 3.5 million annual guests.
The focus of all of his efforts is to drive unit revenue growth and to optimize profit for shareholder value. He is also responsible for all operational
functions, training and standards, guest relations and overseeing loss prevention efforts. Prior to joining the Extended Stay America team, Mr.
Bardenett served as President of Crossroads Hospitality from 2007-2014, a division of Interstate Hotels and Resorts. While receiving numerous
accolades during his time at Crossroads Hospitality, Mr. Bardenett also served on the Residence Inn TRIA board, Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Owners Advisory
Council and the Aloft/Element Owners Advisory Council with Starwood. From May 1988 to November 2004, Mr. Bardenett served in a variety of sales and
operations roles with Interstate Hotels and Resorts. Mr. Bardenett is a graduate of State University of New York Oswego where he received his Bachelors of Arts
in Communication with a concentration in Broadcasting.
BERNARD BAUMOHL
President / Chief Global Economist - The Economic Outlook Group LLC
Bernard Baumohl is president and chief global economist at The Economic Outlook Group LLC, a firm known for its accurate economic and
geopolitical projections. Mr. Baumohl began his career with the Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank specializing in international economic
policy and national security. He later served as an economist at European American Bank before becoming an award-winning economics reporter
with TIME magazine covering the White House, Federal Reserve and Wall Street. Apart from his current role as chief economist, Mr. Baumohl
is on the faculty of the New York Institute of Finance where he conducts seminars on how corporate leaders can better anticipate turning points
in the business cycle by using the best forward-looking economic indicators. A sought out international speaker, Mr. Baumohl has made keynote
presentations before corporate boards, workshops and legislatures on the business and geopolitical outlook. His best-selling book, The Secrets of
Economic Indicators: Hidden Clues to Future Economic Trends and Investment Opportunities, is in its 3rd edition and has been translated into several languages,
including Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and German. Mr. Baumohl holds an M.A. from Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
SUMNER A. BAYE
President / Partner - International Hotel Network, LLC
Mr. Baye’s more than thirty five years in the hospitality industry began at the Sheraton Hotels corporate offices in Boston, MA., where he rose to
Vice President in the sales, marketing and conference division. Shortly after the ITT acquisition of Sheraton, Mr. Baye left to form a new business
venture, his own hotel representative and consulting firm, Sumner A. Baye, Inc., in New York City. The firm represented some of the finest hotels
and resorts in America. Sumner A. Baye, Inc. was eventually acquired by the American Express Company. After serving as a Vice President of
Travel Related Services at American Express, Mr. Baye went on to form Hotel Network, which eventually became International Hotel Network, a
full service consulting firm, which spans all aspects of the hospitality industry. International Hotel Network maintains excellent worldwide contacts
in the industry. Mr. Baye is frequently asked to speak and participate in many hospitality industry conferences, including The Lodging Conference,
The International Hotel Conference, and The Hotel Investment Finance Summit. Mr. Baye serves on the editorial advisory board of Hotel Perspectives, published
by Real Estate Forum.
JASON BEASLEY
Chief Operations Officer / Chief Financial Officer - Magnuson Hotels
Jason Beasley currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Financial Officer of Magnuson Hotels. Magnuson Hotels, headquartered
in London UK and Spokane, WA is the world’s largest hotel services organization. Magnuson Hotels’ holdings include Magnuson Hotels,
Magnuson Marketplace and PMS1. With global activities in distribution and operational technology, representation, branding and marketing;
Magnuson Hotels currently services nearly 2000 hotels in six countries within North America, Europe and Asia. Prior to joining Magnuson
Hotels, Jason was the Executive Vice President and CFO of Axenda Software, a software and management consulting firm specializing in strategic
operations for mid-size to fortune 500 companies. He previously also served in a variety of management positions at Ambassadors Group, and
KeytronicEMS, where he specialized in financial operations and strategic planning. Beasley is a graduate from Gonzaga University BBA-Finance,
holds an MBA from E. Washington University School of Business, and completed the HLP from the Harvard Business School. He is a current member of the Institute
of Management Accountants.
DANIEL BEIDER
Senior Managing Director / Chairman - Paramount Lodging Advisors
Daniel Beider is the founding member, Chairman and Senior Managing Director of Paramount Lodging Advisors (PLA) with over 20 years
of experience in the hotel industry. Daniel is located in Paramount’s HQ office in Chicago and is focused on facilitating hotel transactions,
consulting and client relationships nationwide. Prior to PLA, Daniel was the founding member and Managing Director of NAI Global Hotels,
which transacted approximately $500,000,000 of hotel assets in its initial 18 months of business. He was recognized by NAI with the Fitzgerald
award for the utilization of the NAI system and network. He was also awarded the Global Vision award during his tenure based on the pursuit
and development of the Hotel specialty practice group. In addition to NAI, Daniel also held the position of VP at Mid America Hotel Corporation,
acting in numerous capacities in hotel operations, as well as asset managing a family-owned portfolio of hotels. Daniel is a frequent speaker at
Lodging Investment Conferences and has contributed to or been interviewed by numerous lodging and commercial real estate publications. Daniel received his
BA from DePaul University in Chicago, where he currently sits on the Advisory Board for the DePaul School of Hospitality Leadership. He is also a member of the
Advisory Board for the North American Hotel Investment Conference (NATHIC).
JOHN BELDEN
President & CEO - Davidson Hotels & Resorts
John joined Davidson in 1989 as part of its Business Development team. He subsequently led the team during a period of unprecedented
growth for Davidson, overseeing new management, acquisition and development opportunities for the company, as well as asset management
and asset disposition responsibilities. Before Davidson, John served on the Concept Development team for Homewood Suites and became its
Director of Development - Western Region. John also worked in the Development and Market Planning Division of Holiday Corporation providing
development services to Embassy Suites and Holiday Inn systems. Prior to Holiday Corporation, John worked in the Franchise/Development area
of The Residence Inn Company and started his hospitality career as a hotel consultant at Laventhol and Horwath. John currently serves on the
Hilton Owner’s Advisory Council, Starwood North American Owner Advisory Board, Sheraton Owner’s Advisory Council, Executive Board of
ASFONA (Association of Starwood Franchisees and Owners North America), Hyatt Full-Service Hotel Franchise Advisory Committee, Board of Directors for Give
Kids the World, and Michigan State University Real Estate Advisory Council. He is an Appointed Director of the HRI School at Michigan State University.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
STEVE BELMONTE
CEO - Vimana Franchise Systems
Since becoming the youngest general manager in the history of Holiday Inn at the age of 18, to holding the title of longest standing President
and CEO of a national franchised hotel chain, to launching his own hotel franchise, Steven J. Belmonte brings new meaning to the phrase “from
the mailroom to the Boardroom.” Belmonte served as President and CEO of Ramada Franchise Systems and EVP of the Cendant hotel division
(now Wyndham Worldwide) from 1991-2001. In 2001, Belmonte founded Hospitality Solutions, LLC which primarily negotiates the reduction
of liquidated damages/termination fees and new, fair franchise agreements for hotel owners for all major brands. After a decade of assisting
unhappy owners to negotiate termination fees and new agreements, Belmonte realized there had to be a better way to do business. Belmonte and
his partners created Vimana Franchise Systems, LLC the franchisors of Centerstone Inns, Hotels & Plaza Hotels and Key West Inns, Hotels & Resorts
to eliminate all the unreasonable mandates and negative attributes associated with hotel franchising. Both hotel brands are truly franchise friendly with short-term
agreements, low cost of entry, amongst the industry’s lowest fee structures, as well as the most powerful reservation system in the country.
ALAN BENJAMIN
President - Benjamin West
Alan Benjamin, President/founder of Benjamin West, the FF&E and OS&E purchasing firm based in Boulder, Colorado, with additional offices in
Chicago, Dallas, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, and São Paulo. Mr. Benjamin became a member of the International Society of Hospitality
Consultants (ISHC) in 2000 and assisted the organization in determining the FF&E budgets for the ISHC’s CapEx 2000 report. Mr. Benjamin
later co-chaired the ISHC 2007 CapEx study and co-chaired the 2014 ISHC CapEx study in partnership with HAMA. Mr. Benjamin has been
published in several magazines. His speaking engagements include all major global conferences.
TIMOTHY A. BENOLKEN
Senior Vice President of Operations - Hilton Worldwide
Timothy Benolken is currently Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations in Western North America for Hilton Worldwide. In this capacity, Benolken
oversees the operation of nearly 100 full service and luxury properties in the Western region of the United States. He is based in Chicago and
reports to Joe Berger, Area President-The Americas of Hilton Worldwide. Most recently, Benolken served as Senior Vice President of the Central
US, Mexico and South America region for Hilton. In this capacity, he had oversight for the operation of 33 properties in the Central region of the
United States as well as 9 properties in Mexico and South America. Prior to that Benolken was Area Vice President for Hilton, a position that he
held from 1990 to 2007. In that capacity, he was responsible for the operations of all full service, corporately managed Hilton and DoubleTree
by Hilton branded hotels in the Midwest region including such notable flagship properties as the Hilton Chicago, Palmer House Hilton, and The
Drake hotel in Chicago as well as the Hilton Minneapolis and the Conrad Indianapolis.
DAVID BERINS
Managing Partner - Berins & Co., LLC
David Berins is a 49-year veteran of the lodging industry, with a career encompassing operations, asset management, development, planning and
consulting. Prior to resuming his consulting practice in 2009, David served as Managing Director of Cypress Hotels & Resorts overseeing six
luxury hotel and resort developments in the Bahamas, California and Texas. Since 1974, David has provided senior-level asset management and
advisory services to hotel owners, investors, management companies and lenders in areas such as strategic planning, development, operations
and marketing. In addition to his role as a developer and senior lodging industry advisor, David also served as Senior Vice President - Research
& Planning at Strategic Hotel Capital Incorporated in its formative years. From 1993 to 1998, David operated a highly-respected consulting
practice under the name Berins Consulting Incorporated. For four years, David was a partner in and Worldwide Director of Hospitality Industry
Consulting Services of Arthur Andersen. Prior to forming Berins & Co. in 1983, David was a Senior Principal and National Director of Management Advisory
Services of the firm now known as PKF Consulting. Those years were preceded by eight years of hands-on operations and corporate planning experience in
lodging, restaurants and foodservice.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
PETER BERK
President - PMZ Realty Capital LLC - Hotel Finance Group
Mr. Berk has played an integral role in establishing the firm’s hospitality practice as a national leader in hotel financing with an emphasis on
the limited and select service hotel markets. Mr. Berk’s primary responsibilities include raising debt and equity capital for hotel owners. In that
capacity, Mr. Berk has financed in excess of $4 billion worth of hotel assets for both entrepreneurial and institutional clients representing over
35,000 hotel rooms. Prior to founding the Hotel Finance Group, Mr. Berk was President of AFC Hotel Finance Group, Director of Capital Markets
at Sonnenblick-Goldman Company and prior to that worked at Jones Lang LaSalle in the acquisitions area. Mr. Berk received his Bachelors of
Accountancy from George Washington University and his Masters in Real Estate Investment & Development from Columbia University. Mr. Berk
is active in the New York Hospitality Council, Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) and the Mortgage Bankers Association. He
has written numerous articles on hotel financing for industry publications and is a frequent speaker at hotel conferences on current financing trends. Mr. Berk is a
resident of Manhattan where he lives with his wife and daughter.
SCOTT D. BERMAN
Principal, US Hospitality & Leisure Practice Leader - PwC
Scott D. Berman is a Principal and the Industry Leader for the Hospitality & Leisure subsector at PwC, leading the firm’s industry program focused
on client service, industry perspective and research. Mr. Berman has over 30 years of diversified experience in commercial and financial
diligence, market and business strategy and subject matter expert advisory within the hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors. In his 24 years at
PwC, he has provided consulting services in over 40 countries across the Firm’s network and in all 50 States. Prior to joining PwC, Scott was
the Director of Development for Hilton International. Scott is an active member of the Urban Land Institute Hotel Development Council (HDC) and
its former Chair; a member of the Advisory Board of the Cornell University Center for Hospitality Research; Chairman of the Industry Relations
Committee for the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association; Trustee of the American Resort Development Association; and, a member
of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants. He sits on the planning and steering committees of both the NYU Hospitality Investment Conference and
the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS). He has appeared on CNN and CNBC as an industry expert and is frequently quoted on hospitality issues in a
variety of industry publications. He has recently written several academic journal articles for both the Cornell Quarterly and the Center for Hospitality Research.
Scott holds a degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.
BARRY A.N. BLOOM
Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer - Xenia Hotels & Resorts
Barry A.N. Bloom, Ph.D. has held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc. or its
affiliated entities since July 2013. In this role, Mr. Bloom is responsible for direct oversight of the Asset Management and Project Management
functions, as well as a variety of strategic and operational corporate functions of Xenia. From July 2011 to June 2013, Mr. Bloom served as an
Associate Professor of the Practice in the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University and from July 2010 to June 2011, Mr. Bloom
served as an Instructor in the School of Hospitality Leadership at DePaul University. Prior to pursuing an academic career, Mr. Bloom worked for
a variety of leading hotel investment firms, most recently as Executive Vice President of Portfolio Management & Administration with CNL Hotels &
Resorts, Inc. from 2003 to 2007, where he was responsible for oversight of the company’s $6.6 billion portfolio. Mr. Bloom received his Bachelor
of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from Cornell University and a Doctor of Philosophy
degree in Hospitality Management from Iowa State University.
ROGER BLOSS
Founder, President, CEO - Vantage Hospitality Group
Roger Bloss has more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry. After serving in executive positions with several major hotel franchise
companies, Bloss founded Vantage Hospitality Group in 1996 and acquired its first hotel. Bloss’ vision was to develop a national hotel chain
based on an innovative membership model. Vantage’s Freestyle® Brand Affiliation Model offers hoteliers a voice and a vote in the brand’s
direction; low, flat fees; flexible agreements; and reasonable brand standards and PIPs. Since launching Americas Best Value Inn in 1999, the
limited-service brand has grown from two to over 1,000 properties in North America, making it the 10th largest hotel chain in the world. In 2009,
Vantage launched Lexington by Vantage, a collection of inns, hotels and suites with a soft-branding option in the midscale to upscale segments.
In July 2014, Vantage acquired America’s Best Franchising brands America’s Best Inns & Suites, Country Hearth Inns & Suites, Jameson Inn,
Jameson Suites, Signature Inn, and 3 Palms Hotels & Resorts. By combining brands under one umbrella, Vantage continues to enhance its competitive advantage
with a full line of brand segments that address the needs of both hotel owners and consumers. Under Bloss’ leadership, Vantage is now a Top 10 Global Hotel
Company with over 1,200 properties.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
PATRICK BOSWORTH
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder - Duetto
As Co-Founder and CEO, Patrick drives vision and growth at Duetto. With over a decade spent in the hospitality, non-profit and government
sectors, he has brought entrepreneurial insights to organizations and established them as industry leaders and innovators. Previously at Wynn
Resorts, and with consulting clients, Patrick realigned strategic marketing functions to maximize profit. While in the public sector, he drove
modernization of financial reporting standards, unchanged since the 1950s, making labor unions more accountable to their members. Patrick
holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Political Science from the University of San Diego. He serves on the Hotel Sales &
Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Revenue Management Advisory Board as well as the HSMAI Foundation Board, and recently as an
advisor to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. He also advises Win-Win Entertainment, a non-profit connecting great causes with
great entertainers… one show at a time.
KEVIN BRICKNER
Senior Vice President, Franchise Sales and Development - Wyndham Hotel Group
Kevin Brickner is responsible for creating and executing the franchise sales and development strategy in the eastern region of North America
for Wyndham Hotel Group’s 15 hotel brands including well-known names like Ramada®, Days Inn®, Super 8®, Microtel Inn & Suites by
Wyndham®, Howard Johnson® and Travelodge®, among others. He was appointed to his current position in 2015 after serving the company
as vice president, franchise development, responsible for implementing Wyndham Hotel Group’s development strategy, and overseeing the
retention and relicensing efforts in the U.S. and Canada. Previously, he was senior director of franchise sales and development, responsible for
the company’s domestic franchise growth. Prior to that role, he served the company as director of franchise sales administration, responsible for
the contracting process on new development, renewals and transfers of ownership. From 1999 to 2001, Brickner served the company in various
capacities, first as a financial analyst and then, in 2001, as manager of financial administration. He joined the company in 1998 as an accounts receivable
representative. Prior to joining Wyndham Hotel Group, Brickner worked for Abar Pension Services Inc., an independent actuarial consulting firm in Livingston,
N.J. He began his career in 1997 as a regional salesperson for Fastenal, an industrial and construction supply company in Middlesex, N.J. Brickner received his
bachelor’s degree in 1997 from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, N.J. He is based in Wyndham Hotel Group’s Parsippany, N.J. offices.
LIAM BROWN
President, Select Service & Extended Stay Lodging and Owner & Franchise Services North America - Marriott International
Liam Brown is currently President, Select Service & Extended Stay Lodging and Owner & Franchise Services North America. In this role, Mr.
Brown oversees all of Marriott’s franchising in North America, across all brands, as well as leading the Select Service & Extended Stay managed
portfolio. Mr. Brown began his career with Marriott International in 1989. He served in multiple general manager and regional positions
across Marriott’s Courtyard, Residence Inn and full service portfolio. From 1999 to 2007, he held several corporate positions including, VP of
Franchising for Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites, and SVP for the Fairfield Inn brand. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Brown held the positions of
SVP and EVP of Development for Marriott’s Select Service & Extended Stay lodging products. Educated primarily in his home town of Dublin,
Ireland, Mr. Brown has a Business Degree from Trinity College (1980 – 1984). In 2005 he completed his MBA from the Robert H. Smith School
of Management at the University of Maryland. Mr. Brown has served on the Board of Directors for the International Franchise Association since 2009, and was
appointed as an Officer, Secretary on their Executive Committee in 2015.
BEN BRUNT
Principal & Executive Vice President, Acquisitions & Development - Noble Investment Group
Mr. Brunt is a principal with primary responsibility for new investment origination. His focus is the sourcing and underwriting of lodging and
hospitality investments encompassing asset and debt acquisitions, land and new development opportunities, market and investment analysis and
brand positioning. Mr. Brunt has more than 17 years of hospitality industry experience and has acquired or developed more than $2.5B in
lodging and hospitality investments throughout his career. Prior to joining Noble as a partner in 2005, he was vice president of investments and
development for Songy Partners, and a senior member of the investment team at Hardin Capital. Mr. Brunt began his career in hospitality as an
operations analyst for Homestead Village and later gained experience in the field as a multi-unit property manager. Mr. Brunt received a B.A.
from Trinity College and an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University and is a board member of the Atlanta Midtown Alliance. He is a former
professional violinist and spent two years as a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
JAY BURNETT
Vice President of Real Estate - JHM Hotels
Jay Burnett is Vice President of Real Estate at JHM Hotels in Greenville, SC, where he is involved with hotel and land acquisitions, feasibility,
due diligence, asset management and divestitures. Before joining JHM in March 2013, Jay was Vice President of Corporate Strategies at GF
Management in Philadelphia, and prior to that he was with AMC Delancey Group in a Hotel Asset Management role. He began his hospitality
career behind the front desk at the Hampton Inn in Charlottesville, VA, and spent six years with Marriott International in multiple positions such as
corporate IT, revenue management, competitive analysis and sales & marketing analysis. Jay earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree
from the University of Virginia and Master of Management in Hospitality from the Cornell Hotel School. He lives in Greenville with his wife and
two daughters. In his free time he serves at his church and enjoys cycling and playing golf. He is trying to become a triathlete.
MICHELLE D. BURNS
Senior Vice President, Branded Solutions - Starbucks Coffee Company
Michelle Burns is Sr. Vice President, Branded Solutions for Starbucks Coffee Company. In this role, Michelle is responsible for leading the business
development and relationship management sales group in the Starbucks Licensed Stores; Foodservice; and Office Coffee segments throughout
the lodging; airport; retailer; grocery; college and university; business and industry and healthcare channels, among others. In addition, Michelle
leads the development of over 250 direct sales personnel, as well as a full multi-functional support team. Michelle is a 20 year Starbucks veteran;
having served in leadership roles across sales; operations; development; brands; and geographies. She began her career in 1993 in the Natural
Foods Industry with Frontier Cooperative Herbs where she found her passion for coffee and was responsible for opening up natural and mass
market channels of distribution for the coffee category in the UK and US. Currently, Michelle is an active member of the Google Innovation Lab
and Women’s Foodservice Forum. She holds a bachelor’s degree from The University of Iowa.
DAVID CALLAGHAN
Vice President, Resort Sales & Service - Interval International
David Callaghan is vice president of resort sales and service for Interval International. He manages day-to-day sales and service activities, and is
responsible for maintaining and building the company’s client base. Callaghan joined Interval in 1993 as a vacation counselor, was promoted to
on-site account manager that year, and to Caribbean region manager in 1995. He has held a variety of positions of increasing scope, including
assistant vice president and vice president of business development. Callaghan received the American Resort Development Association Circle
of Excellence Award as Producer of the Year in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and is a member of its Chairman’s League. He was also awarded the
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Allied Member of the Year award in 2009.
DAVID CAPPS
Senior Vice President, Development - Aimbridge Hospitality
David Capps joined Aimbridge in 2010 and has over 8 years of hospitality experience. Mr. Capps is responsible for identifying acquisition,
management and development activities. Mr. Capps plays a key role in fostering new joint venture opportunities, working with capital partners,
lenders, brokers and brands. Prior to joining Aimbridge, Mr. Capps worked with Merrill Lynch Capital and Merrill Lynch Global Banking Group
for over 6 years as Assistant Vice President and Assistant Finance Manager. While at Merrill Lynch Capital, he underwrote over $500 million
of balance sheet and securitized loans for ground-up development, repositioning and/or acquisition of hotel and resort properties in the form of
first mortgages, B-notes and mezzanine debt. Prior to Merrill Lynch Capital, Mr. Capps worked as Assistant Finance Manager for Merrill Lynch’s
Global Banking Group, where he sourced and underwrote Corporate debt and equity opportunities. Capps also completed the Credit Training
Program at Amegy Bank in Houston. Mr. Capps holds a B.A. degree in Finance from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
COLIN F. CARROLL
Vice President Investments - Ashford
Mr. Carroll is Vice President of Investments of Ashford (NYSE MKT: AINC) and serves as the Vice President of Investments of both Ashford Hospitality
Trust (NYSE: AHT) and Ashford Hospitality Prime (NYSE: AHP). Mr. Carroll’s role at Ashford focuses exclusively on hospitality investments across
all segments and at all levels of the capital structure including direct hotel investments and mezzanine loans. Mr. Carroll’s responsibilities include
sourcing and underwriting hotel investments including direct equity investments, joint venture equity, preferred equity, and mezzanine loans.
During Mr. Carroll’s time at Ashford, he has been involved in numerous hotel equity transactions including its 2007 CNL and 2011 Highland
Hospitality acquisitions. In addition, he has been responsible for the asset management of Ashford’s loan portfolio and assisted with capital
raising activities of both equity and debt capital. Before joining Ashford, Mr. Carroll held roles with for ClubCorp, a leading owner and operator
of premier destination resorts and private clubs, and Wyndham International, a fully integrated hotel enterprise that operated primarily in the upper upscale and
luxury segments. Mr. Carroll received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Management from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business
Administration from Southern Methodist University. Mr. Carroll is a Certified Public Accountant.
ALFREDO CARVAJAL
President - Delos International and Signature Programs, Stay Well
As President of Delos International and Signature Programs, Alfredo is responsible for Delos’ signature overlay programs, bringing wellness
solutions to the hospitality and residential sectors, as well as expanding Delos’ businesses globally. Alfredo has more than 22 years of experience
in domestic and international hospitality and wellness/spa operations, brand development and strategic planning at some of the world’s most
recognized hospitality, lifestyle and wellness brands. Prior to Delos, Alfredo served as Chief Operating Officer of WTS International. Previously,
he was Executive Vice President for Universal Companies, the nation’s largest spa supply and equipment distribution company, where he
managed operations, branding, domestic and international market development. From cruise ship launchings to wellness residential community
development at companies like Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, The Walt Disney Company, Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Canyon Ranch Health Resorts,
Alfredo acquired extensive experience on international operations management, global best practices and creative strategic positioning. Alfredo currently serves
on various executive and advisory boards, including the University of California Irvine’s Spa Management Program. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business
Administration from Universidad Del Mar, in Chile.
FREDRICK W. CERRONE
Chairman and CEO - Hotel Equities
Fred Cerrone serves as Chairman and CEO of Hotel Equities with a portfolio of 90 properties nationwide. His four-decade career started as a
desk clerk at Boston’s largest hotel and included work as an award-winning GM, an astute management company executive and a successful hotel
owner. After many years in key positions with top hotels, he launched Hotel Equities in 1989 and Marriott tapped him as a franchise partner.
In 2012, he co-founded Hotel Development Partners (HDP), an Atlanta-based joint venture between Hotel Equities, IRE Capital and McCarthy
Investments to acquire and develop premier-branded hotels. He serves as COO of HDP which has four properties under development in Miami
Beach and Atlanta. Marriott International named Hotel Equities the sole recipient of its prestigious “Spirit to Serve Award for Community Service”
in 2012. The award recognized the company’s values as expressed through employee volunteerism plus in-kind and cash donations. Hotel
Equities is also a two-time winner of the Marriott Partnership Circle Award. Chairman of Marriott’s Fairfield Inn Franchise Advisory Board, Fred holds an MBA
from Georgia State University and an undergraduate degree in Hotel and restaurant Management from Miami Dade College.
DINESH P. CHANDIRAMANI
Chief Executive Officer - Hyphen Construction Group, Inc.
Dinesh holds more than 13 years of senior level leadership in the Construction and Real Estate Development industries. He co-founded Hyphen
Construction Group (originally Response Remediation) in 2002 with his brother, and has transformed the company into a full-service general
contracting firm specializing in hospitality renovations, PIPs, conversions, and ground-up construction. Dinesh also serves on the Board of
Directors for Ashford Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on hospitality investments. His primary areas of expertise include MultiState Operations Management, Business Strategy, Contract Negotiations, Bids and Proposals, Employee Management and Training, and Project
Management.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
SAMUEL J. CICERO SR.
Founder - Cicero’s Development Corp. (Plainfield, IL)
Samuel J. Cicero Sr., Founder, Cicero’s Development Corp. (Plainfield, IL), founded Cicero’s Development Corporation in September of 1970
and is responsible for building its reputation as one of the most sought after commercial renovation companies for the hospitality industry. His
company’s understanding of the processes, materials, scheduling, and client goals, has propelled the company to year-over-year success. Today,
Sam works with the Cicero marketing and new business development team, championing Cicero’s $ensible Green® and Disruption Avoidance
Management program. He also created Renovationomix®, the systematic, coordinated method of renovation, comprised of several key elements
that increase property owner revenue. Cicero’s Development has an outstanding record of consistently bring in their renovation projects, on-time
and on-budget with complete client satisfaction.
CORY CREATH, AIA LEED AP
Principal - AXIS Architecture + Design
Cory Creath, AIA, LEED AP, brings more than 30 years commercial architectural design experience to AXIS Architecture + Design as one of
the firm’s founders and Principal Architects. With particular expertise in hotel and hospitality architectural design, Cory’s knowledge spans
design, building, development, and operational issues for designers, owners, and operators alike. Prior to the formation of AXIS in September
2001, Cory was a Studio Director with Gensler’s San Francisco office. Presentation + Editorial Topics include: Inspiring design for functional
spaces; From select service to independent boutique to full service: architectural design for profitability and brand consistency; Hotel renovation
project management; Market and economic considerations for property repositioning. AXIS Architecture + Design is an award-winning leader
in commercial architecture and authorities on hotel and hospitality design. AXIS Architecture + Design delivers world class design that solves
functional challenges via a client-centered collaborative approach that results in beautiful solutions and higher value for our clients and partners.
MATHEW CROSSWY
Principal - Stonehill Strategic Capital
Mathew leads Stonehill Strategic Capital’s efforts in sourcing and underwriting new credit opportunities, while continuing to build and maintain
existing relationships with investors and borrowers. Prior to heading Stonehill Strategic Capital, Mathew was responsible for sourcing, negotiating,
and financing hotel investment opportunities for Peachtree Hotel Group. He served as a liaison for debt relationships across all types of financial
and equity market participants. Since joining Peachtree Hotel Group, he has sourced, arranged, and placed over $600 million in deals. Mathew
began his career with Greystone Financial in their CMBS Group consulting with B‐Piece Investors to securitize their multi‐billion dollar portfolios.
He later went on to join Specialty Finance Group (“SFG”) where he enhanced his knowledge of the hospitality industry by underwriting complex
hospitality construction and takeout loans ranging in size from $5 to $75 million. At the end of his tenure with SFG, Mathew asset managed a
$1.8 billion portfolio. Mathew earned his business administration degree in real estate finance from the University of Georgia.
ERIC DANZIGER
Chief Executive Officer - Trump Hotel Collection
Mr. Danziger is a renowned figure in the hospitality industry with more than 45 years of experience. In his role as CEO of one of the fastest
growing luxury hotel companies in the world, Mr. Danziger oversees global operations, brand strategy, and the expansion of Trump Hotel
Collection. Mr. Danziger has served as the president and CEO of several of the industry’s leading hotel companies, and began his career at the
age of 17 as a bellman at The Fairmont San Francisco. His first executive role was with DoubleTree Hotels in 1984, where he was part of the
team which created the iconic DoubleTree cookie. Mr. Danziger joins The Trump Organization following roles as President and CEO of Starwood
Hotels, President and COO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide and President and CEO of Wyndham Hotel Group. Most recently, Mr. Danziger held the
role of President and CEO of Hampshire Hotels Management LLC., where he introduced Début Hotel Group, a collection of lifestyle hotel brands.
Mr. Danziger is the recipient of numerous industry awards and honors including, most recently, the first-ever “Inspirational Industry Icon” award granted by the
South American Hotel Investment Conference. As a member of the Industry Real Estate Financing Council and the Urban Land Institute, Mr. Danziger has served
as Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Strategic Planning Group and is active with major universities. He has been featured as a distinguished lecturer at
Cornell and is a visiting professor at Johnson and Wales University, where he holds an honorary doctorate.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
JEFFREY DAURAY
Senior Vice President, Acquisitions - RLJ Lodging Trust
Jeffrey Dauray joined RLJ’s executive management team in January 2009. Jeff’s focus for RLJ is on acquiring fee simple hotel assets, strategic
property portfolios, whole loans, and entity level M&A transactions in the hotel sector. A 29-year veteran of investment real estate, Mr. Dauray’s
career is comprised of senior positions in hospitality sector private equity investment, brokerage, REO asset management, and opportunistic
RE investment banking. Prior to RLJ, Jeff covered the hospitality sector for CBRE’s Investment Properties Institutional Group in New York. From
1997 to 2000, Jeff was one of 3 principals directing investments for South Charles Investment Corporation, a revolving $300 million real estate
opportunity fund sponsored by Bank of America’s holding company. From 1990 to 1996 throughout the S&L crisis, Jeff was an asset manager
with NationsBank and subsequently Bank of America where his team’s dispositions of non-performing loans and REO exceeded $3 Billion. Mr.
Dauray earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University. He is a member of the ULI, The New York Hospitality Council, The Washington Lodging
Forum, and a voting member of the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council formerly known as the Commercial Mortgage Securities Association.
PATRICK J. DEMING
Managing Director - Eastdil Secured
Patrick Deming is a Managing Director in Eastdil Secured’s Los Angeles office with responsibility for sourcing and placement of the firm’s hospitality
related investment property sales, debt placements, and secondary loan sales. Mr. Deming also supports the firm’s hospitality public market
investment banking activities executed through Wells Fargo Securities. In his 18 years with the firm, Mr. Deming has successfully completed over
$24 billion of hospitality transactions comprising approximately 330 properties and 87,000 hotel rooms. Notable 2015 completed transactions
include the investment sales of Westin Pasadena, Residence Inn Manhattan Beach, SLS Beverly Hills, Irvine Marriott, Hilton Del Mar, and The
Phoenician Resort and Spa and the financing placements of Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa Del Mar. Prior to joining Eastdil Secured, Mr.
Deming was employed in the Real Estate Consulting practices of Arthur Andersen and KPMG and held a position with Mirage Resorts in Las
Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Deming holds a degree from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.
MICHAEL DESIATO
Vice President & Group Publisher, Real Estate Media Group - ALM
As Vice President and Publisher of ALM’s Real Estate Media Group, Michael Desiato is responsible for the overall publishing environment and
operations including editorial content, budgeting, sales and marketing strategies and Internet content initiatives. He played a key role in the
launch of GlobeSt.com, the RealShare Conference Series and REM’s regional magazines. In 2015, Desiato announced GlobeSt.com’s large-scale
expansion plans with the rollout of San Diego, Austin, Orlando and Boston editions. Leveraging his 35 years of industry experience and expertise
in content strategy and product development, Desiato recently orchestrated the revitalization of GlobeSt.com and launched a new thought
leadership platform accelerating REM’s digital revenue growth. Desiato, former president and chairman of the National Association of Real Estate
Editors, also hosts “Inside the Real Estate Mind,” a signature presentation of the RealShare Conferences. Previously, he served as editorial director,
group managing director and editor-in-chief of REM. Desiato has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University.
CHRISTOPHER P. DIFFLEY
Managing Director, Investment Management - Rockbridge
Chris Diffley is a Managing Director of Rockbridge’s Investment Management Group. Rockbridge is a private equity firm that invests in hotels.
Over the past 20+ years, it has made more than 340 debt and equity hotel investments in 44 states in transactions worth more than $5 billion.
Through its deep in-house experience and strong foundation of industry relationships, Rockbridge has delivered a track record of attractive riskadjusted returns across multiple cycles and is well-positioned as a leading investor in hospitality. In this role, Chris’ primary responsibility is
directing the day-to-day operations of the Investment Management Group, with a goal to ensure a return of the fund’s capital and maximize each
investment’s return on invested capital. He guides the oversight of the portfolio of Rockbridge’s Fund investments to assess risk, ensure the security
of the collateral, and enhance the value of these assets through performance analysis, capital investment, and communicating with Rockbridge’s
operating partners. Chris is a Certified Public Accountant and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and a
Master’s of Business Administration from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
NAVIN DIMOND
President & CEO - Stonebridge Companies
Navin Dimond is the founder, President & CEO of Stonebridge Companies, a leading hotel management and development company located in
Englewood Colorado. Currently Stonebridge owns and operates 49 hotels in the United States, with approximately 8,600 rooms. Navin and
Stonebridge have received numerous awards and accolades including Hotelier of the Year Award (Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association),
Hilton Hotels Multi-brand Developer of the Year, Marriott Partnership Circle Award (granted to Franchisees for their all-around excellence), Hilton
Dual-Brand Developer of the Year, Marriott Outstanding Contribution: Select Service, and Marriott Developer of the Year. Involvement in the
local community is important to Navin. Currently he serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Denver, and the Denver Center for the
Performing Arts. In addition, Navin serves on the Foundation Board of the Metropolitan State University of Denver and is a Board Member of
the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (VISIT DENVER). In March of 2015 Navin was inducted into the Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame. Mr. Dimond
graduated from Washington State University with a B.A. in Business Administration and a B.S. in Construction Management and earned his MBA in Real Estate/
Construction Management from the University of Denver.
JONATHAN DIORIO
Head of Travel, Entertainment and Venue Partnerships - UBER
Jonathan leads Travel, Entertainment & Venue partnerships globally at Uber. Prior to Uber, he served as SVP of Business Development and member
of the founding team at Swipely, one of the fastest growing payment companies in the US and recently named one of Forbes’ 100 Most Promising
US Companies. Prior to Swipely, Jonathan was one of the first employees at Silicon Valley based Tellme, which revolutionized speech recognition
systems and is used by 1 in 3 Americans. In 2007, Microsoft acquired Tellme in its then largest acquisition of a private company. Jonathan began
his career in private equity in Chicago and New York in both operating and acquisition roles, and is an honors graduate of Vanderbilt University.
He is based in New York City.
GARY D. DOLLENS
Global Head Design, Product and Brand Development - Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Gary Dollens was appointed Global Head Design/Product and Brand Development for Hyatt’s Global Operations Center in October 2014. He is
responsible for the direction and execution of Hyatt’s global design, overseeing Design Service offices in Chicago, Zurich, Dubai and Hong Kong.
Most recently, Dollens served as Senior Vice President of Product and Brand Development focusing on Global Product Strategy. He has also held
the role of Global Head - Franchise and Select Brands which included responsibility for Hyatt Place and Hyatt House, as well as Franchise and
Owners Relations. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President of North America Operations, with oversight of Corporate Operations (Rooms,
Food & Beverage, Engineering, and Spa), as well as Architecture & Design. Dollens began his career with Hyatt in Oak Brook, Il. In 1988, after
holding a variety of management positions at Hyatt properties including Dearborn, Columbus, Lake Tahoe, Memphis, San Francisco, and Waikiki,
Dollens was appointed hotel manager of Hyatt Regency Atlanta. In 1989, he was named General Manager of Hyatt Regency St. Louis, and later served in the
same role at Grand Hyatt New York and Hyatt Regency Washington Capitol Hill. Following his tenure as Vice President and Managing Director for Grand Hyatt
New York Dollens joined Hyatt’s corporate office in Chicago as Vice President North America Operations in 2004. Dollens attended Western Illinois University
where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts Studies.
MURRAY DOW
President - The Dow Hotel Company
Dow is founder of The Dow Hotel Company (DHC) a hotel management and investment firm based in Seattle. DHC currently manages nine full
service hotels. Dow continues to be involved in daily operations of the company focusing on strategy, capital formation, investor relations and
design and construction. Dow graduated Western Washington University with a B.A. in Economics and is originally from Vancouver, Washington.
Dow began his career with Westin in their management development program working his way through all departments of the Benson Hotel and
later becoming the opening Assistant Director of Rooms at the Westin Detroit Plaza. He spent over five years at Four Seasons Hotels in senior
management at the Ritz Carlton Chicago, the Four Seasons Clift and the Four Seasons Olympic in Seattle. He was also the opening General
Manager of the Boca Raton Marriott. Prior to founding DHC, he was Executive Vice President of the first company known as HEI. Under Dow’s
tenure the company grew from one property to twenty. Dow is a member of Seattle’s Lodging Roundtable, and is a frequent speaker for a wide-range of travel and
industry related organizations. He has three daughters, and is active in several community and charitable causes.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
SEAN DOWNEY
Editor-in-Chief - Lodging Magazine
Sean Downey has been in publishing for 18 years, creating content for consumer, trade, and association titles across online, print, and mobile
platforms. As editor-in-chief, Sean reimagined, retooled, and relaunched LODGING magazine, the official publication of the American Hotel &
Lodging Association, bringing a business-centric focus with a consumer flair that better serves a sophisticated readership of property owners, hotel
investors, management companies, and operators. LODGING was recently recognized with Excel Awards for feature writing, design, and general
excellence from Association Media & Publishing.
TIM L. EDGAR
Founder & President - Hotel Innvestor
Tim L. Edgar is the founder and President of Hotel Innvestor, the first web-based, hotel specific investment banking platform in the country. Through
this platform, Hotel Innvestor raises debt and equity capital for high quality hotel projects nationwide and originates solid risk-adjusted returns for
Accredited Investors. Mr. Edgar started his career in hotels in 1991 working at the Beverly Hilton while studying at the University of Southern
California. After graduating from USC, Edgar went into hotel property brokerage, where he underwrote hundreds of hotel projects and personally
consummated over $1.1 billion in hotel property sales. Tim has also been involved in the ownership of various debt and equity hotel investments
and is currently an active officer in a 200-room hotel in San Francisco, California. Tim is a recognized industry expert in crowdsourcing for
hotels and has been quoted in publications such as the Orange County Business Journal, the New England Business Journal and Real Estate Fund
Manager. Edgar has also been a featured speaker on the subject at various conferences including the North American Hotel Investment Conference (NATHIC) in
Chicago, Hotel Equities and Lender’s Perspective conference (HELP) in Boston and Meet the Money Conference (MTM) in Los Angeles.
JOEL M. EISEMANN
Chief Development Officer, The Americas - InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Joel Eisemann joined the InterContinental Hotels Group (“IHG”) in September 2011 and is Chief Development Officer, The Americas. He is
responsible for all development and conversion activities (both managed and franchised) for the InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, Hotel
Indigo, EVEN Hotels, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands in the Americas. Mr. Eisemann is also
responsible for the company’s Capital Investments & Transactions group for the Americas, which handles workouts and restructurings and asset
management. Further, he heads up the region’s Owner & Franchise Services team. Previously, Mr. Eisemann was with Marriott International
for 29 years, where he held a number of senior positions. Prior to joining Marriott, he was with Laventhol & Horwath in Tampa, Florida for 3
years. Mr. Eisemann serves on a variety of committees and boards including as a Board member of the AH&LA, Fellow of the Cornell Center for
Real Estate Finance, member of the Hotel Development Council at the Urban Land Institute, and on the Executive Planning Committee for the New York University
International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference. Mr. Eisemann is a graduate of the Master of Professional Studies program at Cornell University’s School
of Hotel Administration, and he received his A.B. degree in Economics from Stanford University.
DAVID EISEN
Editor-in-Chief - Hotel Management Magazine
David Eisen is editor-in-chief of Hotel Management and Hotel Design—the print and digital products under the Questex Hospitality Group. Prior
to joining Questex, he was hotel editor for VNU Media’s Business Travel News. Eisen earned a bachelor of arts and science degree from Miami
University, in Oxford, Ohio, and a master’s degree in hospitality industry studies from New York University’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for
Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management, in 2013. He frequently presides over and moderates panels and roundtable discussions on global
hospitality development and investment.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
DAVID EMERY
Chief Financial Officer - InterMountain Hotels
David Emery moved to Monroe from Shreveport, LA, to join InterMountain as Director of Finance in 2008. He was previously employed for
14 years by the JP Morgan and Regions Bank franchises as a commercial lender. He has been responsible for capital formation, negotiating
partnerships and joint ventures, valuing acquisitions and dispositions, incentive compensation plans and supporting the hotel operating teams
in budgeting and forecasting. In 2012, David was appointed to his current position of Chief Financial Officer, in which he leads a team of 15
managing the financial operations of over 60 hotels in 21 states.
WARREN FIELDS
Principal / Chief Investment Officer - Pyramid Hotel Group (PHG)
Warren Fields is a senior executive with over three decades of experience in all facets of hospitality acquisitions, development, finance, and
operations. As Chief Investment Officer and founding partner of PHG, Mr. Fields has overseen the growth of PHG’s portfolio to approximately
60 hotels for over 16 years. He is responsible for all aspects of business development, via acquisitions, third-party management and asset management contracts, fundraising, and new investment opportunities. He is the former Vice President of Development & Operations of Promus Hotel
Corporation, which was sold to Hilton Hotel Corporation in 1999. At Promus he formulated and implemented a strategy for creating a new hotel
brand for the company which eventually sized to 30 properties. Mr. Fields, a graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration,
began his career with Beacon Hotel Corporation, a predecessor company to Promus, where he served as Vice President of Development for Guest
Quarters Hotels, and later DoubleTree. He returned to Boston in 1999 to form Pyramid Hotel Group.
MICHELLE FINN
Senior Vice President - Boutique Design Group / ST Media
Michelle Finn is senior vice president, Hospitality Division, ST Media Group International, and president and co-founder of the Hospitality Media
Group LLC formed for purposes of developing and managing trade fairs and events primarily focused on the hospitality industry, worldwide. In
these roles, she oversees the management and development of its hospitality and related brands, which encompasses Boutique Design, Boutique
Design Trade Fairs: BD|NY and BD| west held on an annual in New York City and San Diego respectively, Boutique Design forum series, Hospitality Match, International Design & Development Conference held in Korea and the management of the International Hotel Motel and Restaurant
Show (IHMR), held on an annual basis in New York City. Finn has received numerous awards for innovation in trade fair development, publishing,
leadership and service. She is a member of the Hospitality Industry Network (NEWH), American Hotel Lodging Association ( AHLA), Cornell
University Innovation Network, Boutique Lifestyle and Lodging Association (BLLA), Urban Land Institute ( ULI) and the International Society of Hospitality Purchasers
( ISHP).
RUSSELL FLICKER
Managing Partner - AWH Partners
Russell Flicker is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AWH Partners. Mr. Flicker has experience working on complex transactions for some of
the largest, most successful investors, operators and developers in the world. Prior to founding AWH Partners, Mr. Flicker served as the chief investment officer at Ian Schrager Company. During his tenure at Ian Schrager Company, Mr. Flicker oversaw the underwriting, operational strategy
and acquisition of the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago, Ill. Prior to time spent at Ian Schrager Company, Mr. Flicker managed Blackstone Real
Estate Advisors’ redevelopment and repositioning team, straddling acquisitions and asset management. In that role, he recruited and hired a team
that underwrote, repositioned, redeveloped and developed, entitled and/or refinanced 20 hotels, residences and office buildings throughout the
U.S. and Puerto Rico, including Carmel Valley Ranch, Boca Raton Resort & Club, One Thousand Ocean Boca Raton and El Conquistador Resort.
Mr. Flicker received his JD from Duke University School of Law and his BA in Business Administration from Olin School of Business at Washington State University
of St. Louis.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
PATRICK ‘J.P’ FORD, CHB, ISHC
Senior Vice President / Director of Business Development - Lodging Econometrics
J.P. leads all of the Strategic Sales and Marketing Initiatives for Lodging Econometrics and New England Hotel Realty. He is an Industry leading
real estate advisory specialist with close to 30 years experience providing business development, acquisition and disposition services in the United
States. J.P. serves as a trusted advisor to Ownership and Management Groups throughout North America looking to add real estate assets and
management contracts to their portfolios; Franchise Companies looking to identify new construction and potential brand conversion opportunities;
and Wall Street analysts looking to evaluate real estate development and valuation trends as well as assess investment potential in various hotel
companies and particular markets. Additionally, J.P. is a speaker at various hotel industry events and conferences and regularly contributes to
several lodging real estate publications, such as the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Lodging Magazine, the IHIF Newsletter, and the New
England Real Estate Journal. J.P. is a Certified Hotel Broker (CHB), and a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC).
JEFF M. FRANK
Vice President - Goldman Sachs
Jeff M. Frank is a vice president with Goldman Sachs and is based in Texas. His responsibilities include the origination of mortgage and
mezzanine debt secured by hospitality-related assets for Goldman’s balance sheet and CMBS platforms. Since 2007, he has been involved in the
origination, asset management, and distribution of over $10 billion of hotel-related debt. Previously, Jeff originated balance sheet and securitized
hotel loans for GE Real Estate. Prior to GE, he worked in operations and business development for Troon Golf in Scottsdale and Tokyo. He is a
Montana native and graduate of Harvard College.
NEIL FREEMAN
Chairman - Aries Capital, LLC
Neil Freeman is Chairman and CEO of Aries Capital, LLC, a full-service real estate lender and mortgage banking firm offering long-term, interim
and mezzanine loans, equity arrangement, and government tax credit advisory and placement. Throughout his 30-year career, he has funded
more than $5 billion for all commercial property types, with a strong focus in hospitality. Financed hotels include The Malliouhana (Auberge
Resorts) on Anguilla in the British West Indies, The Roosevelt New Orleans (Waldorf Astoria), The Whitehall Hotel Chicago, Embassy Suites
Riverwalk San Antonio and Hotel 21 C in Louisville. Freeman’s entities also hold equity interests in real estate worth more than $250 million,
including flagged and boutique hotels. Freeman is President of Urban Development Fund, LLC (UDF) a New Markets Tax Credits CDE. UDF has
received $500 million in federal and state New Markets Tax Credits allocations, translating to $1 billion in transactions. UDF focuses on the
rehabilitation of hotels, mixed-use properties, retail developments, theaters and medical facilities in highly distressed census tracts nationwide. Formerly a licensed
CPA, Freeman has a BSBA degree in Accounting from the University of Florida, and an MBA degree from Stanford University. He is an adjunct Real Estate professor
at DePaul University in Chicago and on the Board of DePaul’s Real Estate Center.
JAN D. FREITAG
Senior Vice President - STR, Inc.
Mr. Jan Freitag is a Senior Vice President at STR, the recognized leader in lodging industry benchmarking services. During his 10+ year tenure at
STR he has overseen a variety of projects, all charged with the accumulation and interpretation of global lodging data. Mr. Freitag is a frequent
public speaker and in 2014 delivered 39 presentations at, among others, ALIS, NYU, and numerous brand, owner, and investor meetings. In
addition, he is a trusted source for industry insights, quoted in trade publications and the general news media such as The Wall Street Journal,
New York Times, etc. He frequently shares his thoughts in a blog on HotelNewsNow. Prior to joining STR, Mr. Freitag was the Director of Content
Integrity at hotelreports.com in upstate New York and a hospitality consultant with Ernst & Young in Phoenix. Mr. Freitag holds a Bachelor Degree,
with distinction, from the School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University, where he lectures frequently, and received his Executive MBA, with
honors, from Vanderbilt University. He is a member of the advisory board for STASH Rewards, the independent hotel loyalty program. Mr. Freitag resides in
Nashville, TN, and plays basketball every Saturday (when he is not on the road).
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
ALICE GAO
Senior Vice President / Head of Commercial Banking - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (USA) NA
Alice Gao is Senior Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking for ICBC USA N.A., a subsidiary of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China,
one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organization. In this role, she is responsible for leading a multi-functional team to succeed
on a global scale by achieving sales and profit targets. A seasoned banker, compelling leader and mentor in the commercial banking sector,
Alice inspires her team and clients with her passion for driving strong business results by helping ambitious business owners and organizations to
find ways to grow their business. Prior to joining ICBC USA in 2013, Alice spent 8 years with HSBC USA N.A., most recently as a Team Leader
of Business Credit Approver Team. Before HSBC, Alice held successive positions in financial institutions in the areas of Commercial Lending,
International Trade finance, Branch operation, and Regional Administration. Alice has received numerous honors in her banking career and has
been active in business community and charitable organizations. In 2014, Alice was named the “Distinguished Alumna” by University of New Haven. Alice holds
M.B.A. degree in Business Administration, BS degree in Accounting and BA degree in Literature. She also completed Advanced Executive Leadership Program in
Stanford Graduate School of Business.JW Marriot Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.Other work experience includes key positions at The Westin St. Francis Hotel, San
Francisco, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Hyatt and Loews. When Sheila is not at the Resort, her time is spent with her 12-year-old son, Jack.
RICH GRANT
Executive Vice President - TMC Financing
As executive vice president, Rich Grant is responsible for managing TMC’s business development executives and sales operations throughout
California and Nevada. Rich has over 20 years’ experience helping small businesses navigate the SBA loan process successfully. Under his
leadership, TMC has become the No. 1 SBA 504 lender in the U.S. Rich’s early career in lending included positions at Wells Fargo, Heller First
Capital and The Money Store. He worked with TMC for over seven years as senior vice president of business development. In 2005, Rich moved
to First Community Bank in Santa Rosa, California, where he formed and directed the bank’s SBA loan department. In 2009, Rich returned to TMC
as chief operating officer, managing both the sales and underwriting teams. Outside of TMC, Rich currently serves as president of the Bay Area
Government Guaranteed Lenders (BAAGGL), where he works to promote the SBA’s mission to provide affordable financing for small and growing
businesses throughout the Bay Area.
FRED GRAPSTEIN
Senior Vice President - Vornado Hotels
Fred Grapstein is a Senior Vice President with Vornado Realty Trust leading their hospitality group for 18 years. He has primary responsibilities for
2.5 million square feet in Manhattan, including 2,500 guest rooms and 750k of commercial/retail space. The most recent hospitality acquisition
was of the Crowne Plaza Times Square, an 800 room Times Square property and the only hotel with a Broadway street address. Fred has been
involved in many hotel transactions, primarily on the East Coast. Previously he was with Merrill Lynch as a Vice President in their Real Estate Group
negotiating purchase, lease, and joint venture transactions. Fred is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hotel Association of New York City
and a member of its Negotiating Committee. He’s also a long-standing member of the Hospitality Council of New York and a Hospitality Asset
Managers Association. He has an MBA from New York University and is an Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient.
KEN GREGER
CEO & Managing Director - Greger / Peterson Associates, Inc.
Kenneth R. Greger is CEO and Managing Director of Greger/Peterson Associates, Inc. a strategic advisory firm focused on executive selection &
success. Exclusively-retained, Greger/Peterson enjoys a sterling national reputation and specializes in filling senior executive leadership positions
for the Hospitality & Leisure industry. Clients range from Fortune 500 conglomerates and brands to entrepreneurial organizations at various stages
of growth, plus independent, world-class resorts. The firm is passionate about leadership, corporate culture and retention, and has offices in Los
Angeles, California and Portland, Oregon. Mr. Greger has more than 20 years of executive search & strategic advisory experience spanning a
wide range of positions, industries and disciplines. Prior to forming his own firm in the 90’s, he spent approximately 10 years in the management
group of two international search practices. Mr. Greger holds a B. S. degree in Business Administration - Accounting emphasis and is a Certified
Public Accountant in Oregon, Washington and California. He is a member of the ALIS Program Planning Committee and ISHC (International Society of Hospitality
Consultants), and remains active in a variety of Advisory Board roles and nonprofit activities. He has been published numerous times in key industry trade
publications and often speaks at hotel industry conferences.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
IAN GUAM
Chief Investment Officer - LaSalle Hotel Properties
Ian M. Gaum is the Chief Investment Officer for LaSalle Hotel Properties where he has overseen the acquisition of $2 billion of assets. Mr. Gaum
also worked as a Vice President of Asset Management for LaSalle, and prior to that was an asset manager for VMS Realty and Stone Levy
Advisors. Mr. Gaum received a MBA from Syracuse University and a BBA from the University of Cincinnati.
DANIEL P. HANSEN
President and Chief Executive Officer - Summit Hotel Properties
Dan Hansen serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as a member of the board of directors, of Summit Hotel Properties, Inc., a
publically traded real estate investment trust that owns approximately 91 hotels with more than 11,500 rooms. The company’s hotels are branded
with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and Starwood, and they have properties in over 20 states. Since taking the company public in February 2011
with an IPO of over $265 million, Mr. Hansen and the Summit team have raised nearly $600 million in common and preferred equity and
acquired 50 hotels. Mr. Hansen was previously the President and Chief Financial Officer of the company’s predecessor, Summit Hotel Properties,
LLC after serving as Chief Development Officer. Mr. Hansen holds a B.A. in economics from South Dakota State University and serves on boards
and advisory councils for the lodging industry and several hotel brands.
GREG HARTMANN
Managing Director - JLL
Mr. Hartmann leads the North America Asset Management & Advisory Services Practice for the Hotels & Hospitality Group of JLL. Greg
specializes in hotel and real estate counseling, appraisals, asset management and competitive hotel and corporate analytics including branded
and independent multi-property portfolios. Greg has performed assignments for over 12,000 hotels, resorts, casinos, conference centers, golf
courses, ski resorts and timeshare facilitates in all 50 states and throughout North America, Latin America and Europe. A frequent industry speaker
and author of numerous articles relating to hotel operations, maximizing profitability, ROI, market dynamics, asset management, competitiveness,
capitalization and brand equity. Prior to joining JLL, Mr. Hartman created STR Analytics as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Smith Travel Research to
facilitate client advisory and new analytics product development for the 25-year iconic hotel industry performance monitoring company. Prior to
that, he was Managing Director of over 10 divisions of HVS International. Mr. Hartmann is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School and was adjunct professor at
the LEEDs School of Business and Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable Tourism at the University of Colorado.
GLENN HAUSSMAN
Editor-in-Chief - Hotel Interactive
Glenn Haussman, Hotel Interactive’s Editor-In-Chief, manages all editorial content for the hotel industry’s leading online information resource. In
addition to publishing the daily magazine, he hosts a weekly on demand radio show and develops educational content for the company’s BITAC
and HI Connect events. With nearly 15 years in the lodging industry, Glenn enjoys the worlds of hospitality and travel as an observer of trends,
educator and of course, guest. He is known for his lightning rod viewpoints on controversial lodging industry issues. As a frequent moderator and
speaker at leading industry events he uses a unique motivational style and viewpoint to get people rethinking what’s considered conventional
thinking. His weekly radio show style podcast attracts the biggest names in hospitality as guests. He has also served as adjunct professor at New
York University, teaching classes in Consumer Behavior at the Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management. Glenn is sought
out as an industry expert and is frequently quoted in leading publications such as the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, MSNBC.com, CNN.com,
Chicago Tribune and many more.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
ROBERT HEE
Managing Director - Canyon Equity, LLC
Robert Hee is a Managing Director of Canyon Equity LLC, a vertically-integrated private investment company focused on the acquisition,
repositioning, development and ownership of small luxury resorts, managed by marquis brands in unique destinations around the world. At
Canyon Equity, Robert is responsible for strategic planning, financial underwriting of new investments and administration of the company including
overseeing the finance and accounting functions. Prior to joining Canyon Equity, he was a Principal on the Real Estate and Lodging Investment
Banking platform of Banc of America Securities in San Francisco. During his nine year tenure there he successfully completed approximately 50
M&A, debt and equity assignments totaling in excess of $20 billion dollars. Robert holds an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth
College and B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles and Stanford University, respectively.
JEFF HIGLEY
Vice President, Digital Media & Communications / Editorial Director - STR / STR Global / Hotel News Now
Jeff Higley is a 30-year journalism veteran who has specialized in the hotel industry for the past 17 years. He launched Hotel News Now, a
division of STR, in September 2008. Prior to joining Hotel News Now and STR in March 2008, Higley served in various leadership positions for
Questex Media Group’s Hotel & Motel Management group. Higley began his career in the newspaper industry and worked as a sportswriter for
several Midwest newspapers, covering everything from high school basketball to the World Series. He moved to business-to-business publishing
in 1995. Higley and his wife, Cheryl, have three children: Sarah, Emily and Isabella. They reside in Avon Lake, Ohio.
CLINT HODGES
Vice President - Hodges Ward Elliott
Clint Hodges joined Hodges Ward Elliott in January 2007 after graduating from Mercer University with a business degree. During his first two
years at HWE, Clint was a member of the full-service division and focused on analytics, managing the deal flow process, and assisting in the
closing of over a billion in hotel transactions. In September 2009 Clint moved his focus to premium select service and extended stay properties.
Recent transactions of Clint’s experience include the Homewood Suites Charlotte, NC, Hampton Inn & Suites Murfreesboro, TN, Fairfield Inn &
Suites Lake Charles, LA, Fairfield Inn & Suites Houma, LA, Hampton Inn & Suites Albany, NY, a portfolio of 20 premium select service hotels, and
a portfolio of Savannah Suites located in the Southeast.
BRIAN HOLSTEIN
Partner - US Hotel Advisors
Brian Holstein is a Founding Partner of US Hotel Advisors. Mr. Holstein began his career at RBS Greenwich Capital as a commercial real estate
lender where he closed more than $1 billion in loans and underwrote more than $20 billion of loans. He was responsible for lending on a
variety of commercial real estate asset classes - including hotel, office, retail, industrial, multi-family, self-storage and land. In 2008, during the
downturn, he assisted REIT clients in formulating restructuring strategies and upon exiting the downturn, he played a major role in launching the
first new issue, multi-borrower CMBS transaction that the market had seen in more than two years. In 2012, Mr. Holstein left the direct lending
world to focus on hospitality brokerage. Since 2012, Mr. Holstein has closed transactions totaling $700 million. Those transactions were a mix
of investment sales, mortgage loans – both fixed and floating-rate, mezzanine loans and preferred equity.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
ROBERT M. HOWARD
Chief Investment Officer - Gold Key|PHR Hotels & Resorts
Mr. Howard is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Manager (CFM) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with
over twenty-five (25) years of finance/accounting experience. As Chief Investment Officer of GoldKey|PHR Hotels & Resorts and its affiliated
companies, Mr. Howard acts as the chief strategist with the Chief Executive Officer to define company financial performance goals and strategic
objectives of the company. Mr. Howard’s performance has been a critical factor in the continued success of Gold Key Resorts and Professional
Hospitality Resources, Inc. and their affiliated companies. Prior to his affiliation with Gold Key, he worked for Ernst and Whinney on audits of
large corporations and assisted a regional accounting firm with audit, tax and consulting services of small businesses. Mr. Howard has a B.A. in
accounting from Washington Jefferson College. He is a member of the Virginia and Tidewater Chapters of the Virginia Society of Certified Public
Accountants, was named by Virginia Business in its “Super CPA” and “CFO of the Year” recognitions. Mr. Howard is also a board member of the Chesapeake
Bay Wine Classic Foundation and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Lottery.
ROBIN INGLE
Senior Vice President, Global Sales - TripAdvisor
Robin Ingle is responsible for global graphical and cost-per-click advertising sales, as well as advertising product and operations for TripAdvisor.
She joined TripAdvisor in 2001 as its 8th employee and has held roles in business and international development. Before joining TripAdvisor,
Robin served as vice president of sales for Access Media, vice president of sales for MediaPassage and director of display advertising sales at
the Chicago Sun-Times.
PAM INMAN, IOM, CAE, CMHS
President - National Tour Association
Pam Inman is president of the National Tour Association, a member-based organization of travel professionals who serve the North American
market—to, from and within the continent. The membership of NTA, founded in 1951, comprises tour operators, destination representatives and
tour suppliers (hotels, attractions, restaurants and transportation companies) from North America and 40 countries worldwide. Inman oversees the
NTA headquarters staff in Lexington, Ky., and guides the association’s strategic direction. She also maintains a residence in Washington, D.C.
Inman has nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality and trade association industry in leadership positions at the national and state level.
Prior to taking the helm at NTA, Inman was executive vice president and COO for the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Before joining
the AH&LA staff in 2004, Inman served as president and CEO of the Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association and the Greater Nashville Hotel &
Lodging Association. A graduate of Tennessee State University, Inman earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications. She received the designation
of Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives, and earned the Certified Master Hotel Supplier designation from the
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.
WALTER ISENBERG
President and CEO - Sage Hospitality
Isenberg co-founded Sage Hospitality in 1984 with partner Zachary Neumeyer. The company’s history in hospitality includes ground-up
development, historic-adaptive re-use, acquisitions and third-party management. In 2006, Sage formed the Sage Restaurant Group, which
operates unique high-volume restaurants inside its urban hotels. The company was the first recipient of Marriott International’s “Spirit to Serve
Award,” which is given annually to a franchise partner that lives the vision to be an outstanding corporate citizen. Sage Hospitality has also been
an industry leader in implementing green operating practices. Sage Hospitality has also been recognized for its superior customer service and
Sage’s development group has won numerous awards for excellence in the development of hotels and has been nationally recognized as a leader
in historic preservation. A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Isenberg is a member of the American Hotel Lodging
Association Government Affairs committee as well as Marriott International and Starwood Owner Advisory Boards. Isenberg was recently inducted into Denver
& Colorado’s Tourism Hall of Fame. He currently serves on the boards of Visit Denver, The Downtown Denver Partnership, The Children’s Hospital Foundation,
Colorado Concern and the Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
LAURIE IVY
Senior Vice President, Marketing - PMC Commercial Trust
Laurie Ivy has been Senior Vice President Marketing for PMC Commercial Trust since 2001. She has been with PMC since 1993. Prior to her
current position, Laurie supervised PMC’s underwriting department. Laurie is a CPA and was a member of the Deloitte & Touche audit department
before she joined PMC. Since the early 90’s, PMC’s focus has been on the hospitality industry, assisting start up individuals as well as multi
property owners in obtaining the financing that best fits their needs. PMC has made hospitality loans for refinance, new construction, conversion,
expansion and acquisition. Laurie’s experience is unique because she has been able to utilize both PMC’s conventional and SBA loan programs.
Please feel free to contact her at her direct line 972-349-3207 or at L.Ivy@pmctrust.com.
KRIS JAMTAAS
Senior Vice President, Strategic Alliances - Welk Resorts
Kris Jamtaas has recently joined Welk Resorts as the Senior Vice President, Strategic Alliances and is responsible for creating and implementing
corporate strategy focused on growing Welk Resorts in new ways. Prior to joining Welk, Kris has had an illustrious career working in leadership
roles for some of the Timeshare Industry’s best known Companies. He was both Senior Vice President and Vice President, Business Development,
for Resort Condominiums International (RCI) for 15 years and his sales teams supported over 2,000 business partners throughout North America
and Japan. Prior to RCI, Kris served as the Wyndham Vacation Resorts Western Region Property Management Director, and before that worked
with teams at Conrad Vacation Club and The Walt Disney Company. Kris begin his career in the private membership camping Industry with
Thousand Trails, Inc. He has been an active participant in local, state and national organizations representing the interests of the travel and
vacation industry and currently serves as Chairman of the American Resort Developers Association (ARDA) Membership Committee and various ARDA councils
and support groups. Kris graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Resource Management.
MICHAEL JAYNES
President - Hall Structured Finance
Michael Jaynes, President – Mr. Jaynes has over 25 years of commercial real estate experience. As President of HSF, Mr. Jaynes is directly
responsible for loan originations and the asset management of HSF’s outstanding loans. Mr. Jaynes rejoined Hall Group in 2000. Prior to
rejoining Hall Group, Mr. Jaynes worked more than 7 years at GE Capital Real Estate as vice president and program manager. At GE Capital
Real Estate, Mr. Jaynes was responsible for the performance of equity and debt portfolios valued at more than $2 billion dollars consisting of over
240 multifamily, office, retail, and hotel assets located throughout the country. Mr. Jaynes is a graduate of the Ohio State University, with a BS in
business administration and a concentration in real estate.
REBECCA D. JONES
Founder + Principal - RD Jones & Associates, Inc.
Her love and passion for hospitality design and creating fabulous yet functional spaces were the true motivators to establish RD Jones & Associates
in 1996. Rebecca has more than 30 years of specialized experience in Hospitality, Restaurant and Multifamily interior architecture and design.
She received her BFA degree from Texas Tech University and studied at Parsons School of Design in NYC. She spent 12 years working in New
York with a sole focus on Hospitality before starting her name sake firm. As owner and principal, she continues to set the design direction and tone
for all projects. In all renovation and new construction projects, Rebecca’s experience drives her visually stunning and operationally viable design,
her essential foundations for timeless design. Along with her team, she creates industry leading designs with classic details ensuring the ageless
sophistication for her clients. As the founder of RDJ+A, she has built a talented and agile team. Her team members work closely with Rebecca,
maintaining her style and functionality throughout all RDJ+A projects. Rebecca desires to individually craft each environment, creating captivating architecture and
décor. Most important to RDJ+A’s mission is to create value for each project, embrace the client’s needs, adhere to the projects budgetary constraints and build
long term working relationships.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
CHRISTOPHER KEARNEY, PE, LEED AP
Hospitality Market Sector Leader - Exp
Chris currently oversees exp’s Hospitality Practice with a team of over 50 individuals dedicated to building engineering in the Hospitality Market
Sector. Combining his building design and construction experience, Kearney has managed large- scale projects with notable clients such as Trump
International, Ritz Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, Viceroy, Starwood, and Mandarin Oriental. Along with building design, Chris has a passion for
sustainability. Working closely with exp’s Sustainability group, Chris is a thought-leader who brings sustainable design and construction solutions
to the table. Chris skillfully balances first cost, energy savings, and the environment without compromising the guest experience. Engineers are
traditionally known for forgetting the “soft” aspects of their designs; Chris makes them a priority. Over the past several years, Chris has led
numerous American Institute of Architects (AIA)-registered presentations. Chris was featured in Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine’s article
titled, “How to Engineer Systems in Mixed Use Buildings: HVAC and Controls.”
JOHN KEELING
Executive Vice President - Valencia Group
John Keeling is primarily responsible for sourcing and vetting both hotel acquisitions and development projects. He brings 39 years of experience
in hotel management, asset management, brokerage, appraisal and development consulting to Valencia. Valencia Group specializes in the
development, branding, repositioning and operation of luxury independent hotels. Differentiating Valencia from its competitors is its proven
ability to create authentic and unique identities for each property. Valencia owns and operates Hotel Valencia’s in San Jose and San Antonio
and designed and operates Hotel Sorella in Houston for a third party owner. All are on the Condé Nast Gold List of the 510 best hotels in the
world. Recent openings include Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza in Kansas City and the Lone Star Court in Austin. Mr. Keeling and the Valencia
development team along with the Midway Companies are developing Hotel Alessandra Houston, a 225-room luxury hotel in downtown Houston.
He received his BA from UCLA and MBA in Hotel Management from Michigan State. Previous positions included Senior Vice President of PKF Consulting, Partner
with Laventhol & Horwath and manager with Marriott. He is a CPA, MAI and holds the CRE designation.
GREG KEFFER
Principal & Studio Leader - Rockwell Group
Greg Keffer is a Principal and Studio Leader at Rockwell Group, where he oversees a wide variety of project types, including hospitality, retail,
residential, and workplace environments. Greg’s combined strengths in architecture, interiors, graphics, and branding allow him to develop
innovative and holistic design solutions for a global roster of clients. Current work includes the Time Hotel (New York), MGM Cotai (Macau),
Nobu (New York), 111 Murray Street (New York), 15 Hudson Yards (New York), as well as the Battersea Power Station (London). Additionally,
Greg leads the firm’s design team for the global expansion of NeueHouse, a private co-working collective for creative entrepreneurs. Recently
completed projects include Chefs Club (New York), NeueHouse (New York), Station House (Washington, D.C.), Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
(Quebec City) and Five50 Pizza Bar at the Aria (Las Vegas). In 2015, Greg received a Hospitality Design Judges Award for Placemaking for Chefs
Club, and he was honored with a Contract Design Annual Interior Design Award and an International Design Award for NeueHouse New York in 2014. Prior to
his tenure at Rockwell Group, Greg was Design Director at Jeffrey Beers International and a Principal at STUDIOS. Greg is a graduate of Ball State University in
Indiana.
GREGORY P. KENNEALEY
Portfolio Manager - KSL Capital Partners
Mr. Kennealey joined KSL Capital Partners as a Portfolio Manager in September 2011 after serving as Vice President of Asset Management for
Strategic Hotels & Resorts. During his five years at Strategic, he was responsible for an international portfolio of hotels located in London, Paris,
Prague, Hamburg, San Diego, and Chicago. From 2003 until 2006, he was an Asset Manager at LaSalle Investment Management, overseeing a
$270 million portfolio comprised of office, industrial, multifamily, and parking properties. He was also actively involved in the acquisition process,
participating in the purchase of over $1 billion of real estate in the United States and Canada. Prior to LaSalle Investment Management, Mr.
Kennealey held leadership positions at IBM Global Services Strategy Consulting Group and Forrester Research. Mr. Kennealey has a B.A. from
the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
YOUNG H. KIM
Managing Director - 8th Bridge Capital
Young H. Kim heads all management and investment activities of 8BC. He is responsible for originating, structuring investment and raising
investments from overseas for commercial real estate projects in the US that incorporated with alternative financings including EB-5 and New
Market Tax Credits. After earning a B.A. from UCLA, Young took the fast track into various real estate finance/investment roles at US financial
institutions including Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley. In 2008, Young served as Vice President at an USCIS approved Regional Center where
he oversaw $354MM EB-5 fund invested in various mixed-use projects. Young has filed approximately 10% of entire I-526s that were submitted
to the USCIS in 2011. On his watch, over 150 RFEs have been responded and over 500 I-526 petitions have been filed to USCIS. After 11
years in both traditional and alternative capital markets, Young has built powerful networks with EB-5 top professionals in US – EB-5 specialized
immigration and securities attorneys, economist, EB-5 regional centers in the major gateway US cities, SEC/FINRA registered broker-dealers, RIAs and national
real estate developers. His professional network extends to overseas: marketing agents, private equity investors, wealth managers for ultra-high net worth foreign
individuals in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam and India.
MONTE KOCH
Vice Chairman & Co-Founder - Auction.com
Monte joined Auction.com after more than 25 years in investment banking. He was most recently at Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., where he
served as the Global Head of Real Estate Investment Banking. At Deutsche Bank, Monte built the real estate banking team into one of Wall Street’s
most successful practices. He also served as Deutsche Bank’s Chairman of M&A for the Americas, leading strategic dialog and tactical deal
execution for some of the firm’s most prominent clients. Monte has been a key part of Auction.com since its inception and has acted as a guiding
force in the company’s phenomenal growth. When the company expanded into new areas of real estate sales and services, Monte joined the
executive ranks to lend his expertise and experience to the company. Monte is also a member of Auction.com’s board of directors.
JEFF KOLESSAR
Senior Vice President, Development & Acquisitions - GF Management
Jeffrey Kolessar is SVP of Development and Acquisitions for GF Management, a nationally renowned ownership and management company. Jeff
is responsible for hotel acquisitions and new business development for hospitality properties throughout the country. In addition to leading the
acquisition efforts for the Company, Jeff also negotiates and oversees third party management contracts, as well as assists financial institutions
in the management and disposition of real estate owned hotels. Jeff joined GF Management in 1990, and has been involved with various types
of hospitality projects including resorts, full and select service hotels, casino and gaming establishments and golf courses. Specialty experience
encompasses all facets from financing, to pre-opening development, to turnaround opportunities for distressed properties. He has acted as a
receiver for hotel properties and has structured management deals, workouts and evaluated over 450 hotel properties on behalf of the Company
and clients. Jeff finds it essential to participate within the hospitality community through event sponsorship, participation and speaker and panelist engagements,
as well as maintaining association memberships. Jeff has been referenced as a hospitality expert throughout the years and has been an active participant in the
hospitality industry. To reach Jeff or for more information on GF Management, please contact KolessarJ@gfhotels.com or 215-972-2257.
ARIK KONO
Vice President, North America Development and Acquisitions - Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Arik Kono is Vice President, North America Development and Acquisitions for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Mr. Kono is a
hospitality veteran of 15 years, with experience specializing in hotel real estate development. In this role, Mr. Kono is responsible for delivering
global growth to Starwood Hotels by growing the development pipeline across all segments and project types. He manages development
opportunities for seven of the nine franchise brands (Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft, Element, Sheraton, Westin, Le Méridien, and Luxury Collection)
in the South East United Sates and the Caribbean.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
DANIEL KWON
Principal - Apollo Global Management LLC
Mr. Kwon joined Apollo in 2014 and is a Principal in the Real Estate Private Equity Group. Mr. Kwon is primarily responsible for the sourcing,
structuring, and execution of U.S. acquisitions. Prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Kwon was a Vice President at Starwood Capital Group where he was
responsible for the origination, structuring and execution of investments in the hospitality sector. During his tenure at Starwood, Mr. Kwon was
involved in the investment of over $2.5 billion in lodging. Prior to Starwood, Mr. Kwon was at Tenex Capital Management where he was involved
in the evaluation of investment opportunities in distressed companies across a variety of sectors. Prior to Tenex Capital Management, Mr. Kwon
worked at GSO Capital Partners where he was one of the initial members of the real estate team and focused on asset and corporate level real
estate investment opportunities across the capital structure. Mr. Kwon began his career as an Investment Analyst at Morgan Stanley where he was
responsible for evaluating investment opportunities on behalf of Morgan Stanley’s Real Estate Funds (MSREF). Mr. Kwon graduated from The Massachusetts Institute
of Technology with a BS in Electrical Engineering and Management.
ADAM LAIR
Managing Director - HVS
Adam Lair, MAI, has been working with hotel and commercial real estate since 2002, on projects ranging from single assets to coast-to-coast
portfolios. A native of New Orleans, his experience is grounded in the south, having conducted hundreds of assignments for existing and
proposed hotels in Gulfport, Biloxi, New Orleans, Mobile, Birmingham, and other markets across the Gulf Coast. As Managing Director of HVS
New Orleans, Adam’s standout consulting assignments include feasibility studies for a proposed resort hotel near Atlanta and the proposed Hotel
Glacier Club in Durango, Colorado; as well as the appraisal of the Peaks Resort and Spa in Telluride and the Westin New Orleans Canal Place in
the city’s historic French Quarter. Adam regularly represents HVS as a panelist and speaker at hotel industry events and conferences nationwide.
Adam graduated cum laude from Louisiana State University. He is a Designated Member of the Appraisal Institute and a state-certified general
appraiser. Adam played for Louisiana State University’s Tigers as a quarterback during the 2001/02 college football season; the team won the SEC Championship
and the Sugar Bowl. He loves travel and has lived in such diverse locales as Paris, Charleston, and Honolulu, experiences that have further stoked his passion for
local culture and hospitality.
TOM LANDER
Vice President, Real Estate Development - Mortenson Development, Inc.
As Vice President of Real Estate Development, Tom focuses his efforts on the hospitality market, working with all of the major hotel brands. He
has built the Mortenson reputation as a proven expert in the financing and turnkey delivery of large, complex public and private projects. Tom
also works on the financing and structuring of many of Mortenson’s new hospitality development projects, based on his proven track record of
assembling complex debt and equity structures that position development projects to succeed. He has successfully completed a broad range of
development projects including hotels, corporate offices, state and municipal facilities, and medical offices projects. Tom’s most recent hospitality
development activities include the AC by Marriott Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota; the Oregon Convention Center Hotel in Portland, Oregon;
the Hampton Inn and Suites in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and the JW Marriott Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. Tom’s accomplishments
include the development of 2,800 hotel rooms and 2.7 million square feet of medical office, office and retail space. He has handled the acquisition of 220,000
square feet of office space and the placement of $500,000,000 in both conventional and bond financing.
DON LANDRY, CHA
Owner - Top Ten Hospitality Advisors
Top Ten is an independent hospitality advisory company serving lodging companies and companies that serve the industry, with strategic planning,
development, marketing, industry networking and expert witness services. A 45 year veteran of the industry, Landry served as president of some
of the hotel industry’s largest management, real estate and franchise companies. Landry currently serves on the board of directors of Hersha
Hospitality Trust (HT) as lead director and acquisition committee chair, Supertel Hospitality Inc. (SPPR) as investment committee chair, and on the
advisory boards of Unifocus, a software company, Campo Architects, and Windsor Capital Group. He is currently the expert hospitality witness
on the BP Oil litigation. He has held the positions of vice chairman and CEO of Sunburst Hospitality Corporation (SNB), president of Choice Hotels
International (CHH), president of Manor Care’s hotel and assisted living divisions, president of MHM, and EVP/COO of Richfield Hotels. Landry
also serves on the board of the University of New Orleans School of Hotel, Restaurants and Tourism and is a former board member of Friendly Hotels, Choice
Hotels Canada, Hotel Tools, Revenue Performance, Educational Institute, Johnson& Wales University, ISHMC, Dallas and Texas Hotel Association. Don is a frequent
speaker at industry conferences and universities and author of “F-Words for Success”.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
JAMIE LANE
Senior Economist - PKF Hospitality Research, a CBRE Company
Jamie Lane is a senior economist for PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR), a CBRE Company. He is based in the firm’s Atlanta office where he is
responsible for econometric forecasting, producing the firm’s quarterly Hotel Horizons® reports, and new product development. Other activities
include conducting studies for hotel investment firms and operating companies using advanced quantitative methods and preparing research
reports on contemporary hotel industry issues. Since joining PKF-HR in 2010, Mr. Lane has done extensive research on the determinants of
hospitality demand and creating models for profit, average daily rate (ADR), supply, and demand forecasting. In addition, he has published in
academic and professional journals including the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly and the International Journal of Hospitality Management, as well
as speaking at many industry forums. He holds a bachelor in Economics from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Business Economics from
Georgia State University, and is an active member of the National Association of Business Economists and the Atlanta Economics Club.
MARK LEBLANC
Executive Vice President, Development & Acquisitions - Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Mark LeBlanc is executive vice president of development for Interstate Hotels & Resorts’ Rim Hospitality Division. Originally from Wisconsin, Mark
is a senior development executive with over four decades of experience in all facets of hospitality financing, acquisitions and operations. Prior to
joining Interstate, Mark directed business development for The Rim Corporation as senior vice president of development. He joined Rim in 1994,
serving in hotel management and regional operations leadership positions to division vice president. As senior vice president of development for
Rim, he contributed dramatically to the company’s growth, from seven hotels in 1994 to a diverse international portfolio. A veteran of the industry,
Mark has a strong track record of sound leadership. His experience extends to numerous industry organizations, including the California Hotel
Lodging Association, for which Mark has served as a board member since 2002, and the IHG Western Committee. Mark is also a member of
ICSC since 2007 and AAHOA since 2008, and served as past president of the Sacramento Hotel Association.
DON LI
Head of Asia Investment Group - Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Don currently serves as Head of Asia Investment Group of Interstate Hotels & Resorts based in Newport Beach, California assisting foreign
owners with U.S. hotel acquisitions, developing re-positioning, brand selection and renovations strategies, and liaises with ownership on dayto-day management of their assets. Previously, Don served as CEO for Swiss International Hotels and Resorts based in Shanghai, where he was
instrumental in brand development throughout greater China. In addition, he spent eight years at Wyndham Hotel Group International where he
held a variety of corporate positions including regional VP of development for China and Japan, directly executing more than 10,000 rooms for
the Wyndham hotel group in the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Wyndham, Don spent over 10 years in the area of Operations, Sales and
Marketing, Yield Management and Organizational Learning & Development with Shangri-la and Marriott International groups. Don graduated
from Columbia University in New York City with a Master’s degree in Organizational Development and is a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) by American Hotel
and Lodging Association. He is fluent in Chinese Mandarin, Cantonese and English.
VITO F. LOTTA, AIA, LEED AP
Senior Director of Design - Hilton Worldwide
Vito F. Lotta, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Director of Design for Hilton Worldwide, is a Licensed Architect and Interior Designer with over 20 years of
experience and expertise in hospitality design and branding. He oversees architecture and interior design for Hilton Hotels & Resorts (new-build
developments), Curio - A Collection by Hilton and the DoubleTree by Hilton projects in North America. His interactive design leadership balances
multiple objectives to simultaneously maximize the quality of guests’ experiences, the operators’ efficiencies and the returns on investment for hotel
owners. He is a member of Hilton’s cross-departmental research taskforce on hospitality innovation and leads initiatives that advance innovation in
hotel design, creates Brand Design Narratives and design guidance tools, which communicate the essence of each brand’s DNA. These resources
provide direction and help facilitate freedom for innovation and transformation, elevating the brand experience while creating individually unique
properties. Prior to joining Hilton Global Design, Vito was with Gensler where he served as Region Hospitality Practice Leader and prior to that, he was a Project
Manager/Designer with The Gettys Group, based in Chicago.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
KATHERINE LUGAR
President & CEO - American Hotel & Lodging Association
Katherine Lugar is president and chief executive officer of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). As the head executive of the
largest trade association representing the U.S. lodging industry, she implements and directs AH&LA’s services and works directly with the volunteer
officers and board of directors in determining the industry’s major strategic initiatives. In addition, Ms. Lugar also oversees AH&LA’s two affiliate
organizations, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) and the Educational Institute (EI). Since joining AH&LA in 2013,
Ms. Lugar has been pivotal in transforming the association and spearheading the rollout of a new membership model and growing its base, which
now represents almost half the properties in the entire hotel industry. Katherine has more than 20 years of experience in private sector public
affairs, working on Capitol Hill and previously served as executive vice president, public affairs, with the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).
Before her time at RILA, she was vice president of government relations for Travelers Insurance, serving as the company’s chief representative before Congress
and the administration. Prior to that, she served as vice president of legislative and political affairs at the National Retail Federation. Katherine Lugar’s career in
Washington, D.C. began on the staff of Indiana Congressman Tim Roemer and she is a graduate of The University of Colorado – Boulder.
THOMAS MAGNUSON
Co-Founder and CEO - Magnuson Hotels
Thomas Magnuson is Co-Founder and CEO of Magnuson Hotels, headquartered in London UK and Spokane, WA. Magnuson Hotels holdings
include Magnuson Hotel brands and Magnuson Independent Hotels. Co-founded with his wife Melissa in 2003, Magnuson is a top 10 global
hotel chain representing over 1000 hotels across 3 continents. Magnuson Hotels has been ranked #1 Hotel Company of Inc. Magazine’s 5,000
fastest growing privately owned U.S. companies. Thomas Magnuson is a Graduate of Harvard Business School, Pepperdine University School of
Business and Tufts University. Thomas and his family divide their time between London, Canada and the US.
KATHY MAHER
Senior Vice President, Revenue Management - Wyndham Hotel Group
Kathy Maher, senior vice president, revenue management, is responsible for the strategic development of Wyndham Hotel Group’s revenue
management function globally with a focus on identifying strategic opportunities for accelerated revenue growth, efficiencies and synergies.
Maher, who has nearly three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, spent 12 years at Hilton Worldwide prior to joining Wyndham
Hotel Group. There she served in various revenue management leadership roles, most recently as vice president, revenue management for the
company’s owned and managed hotels in its Americas division. Maher also spent 15 years with Marriott International, Inc., in a number of sales
and marketing positions, including area director of market strategy, director of sales and marketing and cluster director of revenue management.
She also held property-level positions with Marriott earlier in her career. Maher earned bachelor’s degrees in business administration and literature
from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. She is based in the company’s Parsippany, N.J., offices.
GUY MAISNIK
Partner & Vice Chairman, Global Hospitality Group - Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP
Guy Maisnik is a hotel lawyer at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM). He is the Vice-Chair of JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group®, a senior
member of JMBM’s Chinese Investment GroupTM, and a partner in JMBM’s Real Estate Department. In addition to advising on hotel transactions
in the U.S., Guy has handled matters throughout Mexico, Canada, South America, Caribbean, Eastern and Western Europe, Australia, Middle
East and Asia. Guy also has significant experience in structuring capital raises through Chinese and EB-5 investments, and structuring workable
condo hotel and resort trust solutions for domestic and foreign buyers and investors. With nearly three decades of commercial real estate finance
experience, he advises clients on hospitality transactions, representing lenders, opportunity funds, banks, special servicers, owners, REITs and
developers in hotel transactions, including senior mezzanine and project financing, workout and debt restructure, co-lender, participation and
securitization arrangements, joint ventures, management agreements, buying, selling and ground leasing of hotels, complex mixed used resort development,
fractional and timeshare. Guy has been recognized as an outstanding lawyer in The Best Lawyers in America®, Los Angeles Magazine, California Real Estate
Journal and Real Estate Southern California. Contact Guy at MGM@jmbm.com or +1 (310) 201.3588.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
JOSEPH A. MCINERNEY, CHA
Consultant - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
Joseph A. McInerney, CHA, is a consultant with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute and the president & CEO of McInerney
Hospitality International LLC, an international hospitality consulting practice. Currently he is advisor or a board member to four companies. He is
leading a customer-service training project in the Republic of Georgia for the World Bank, and the author of “Change, Is Now the Status Quo”.
McInerney is emeritus president and chief executive officer of American Hotel & Lodging Association. He has over 50 years of experience in the
hospitality industry in both the for profit and not for profit sectors as president or CEO of ITT Sheraton’s Franchise Division, Hawthorn Suites, Forte
Hotels, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, it provides him with a global prospective and a greater
understanding of the various business models as well as the cultural diversity sensitivities throughout the world. Throughout his career, McInerney
has been a change agent – growing brands, creating earning streams, increasing profits, enhancing brand image, and significantly improving employee morale
at the companies and associations he managed. A United States Army veteran, an honor graduate of Boston College, McInerney has been recognized with many
industry awards throughout his career.
PATRICK MCINERNEY
Head of Industry, Travel - Google
Pat McInerney has held a number of sales roles at Google in his nearly nine years with the company. Having previously worked in the Auto
and Retail verticals, he has spent the past 5 years in the Travel Sector, leading the sales efforts for some of Google’s largest travel client’s in the
Southeast. Pat has over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, web development and consulting. He earned his BS from the University of
Notre Dame with a degree in Management Information Systems, and his MBA from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Telecommunications &
eCommerce. He and his wife reside outside of Atlanta Georgia with their 6 year old son and 4 year old daughter.
BRENDAN MCNAMARA
Senior Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Product Development - Début Hotel Group + Hampshire Hotels Managment, LLC
As the brand visionary at the recently introduced Début Hotel Group, a collection of lifestyle brands launched by Hampshire Hotels Management,
LLC, Brendan McNamara is responsible for the conception, product development, marketing and communication of the company’s original
brands. McNamara oversees design direction and consumer- facing brand touch points across the global portfolio of brands. McNamara joined
Hampshire Hotels Management, LLC in 1999, just prior to the opening of The Time, as Director of Sales and Marketing. Well versed on the design
and marketing aspects of the burgeoning boutique hotel market, he moved into concept development shortly thereafter. In 2004, McNamara
conceived both the Dream and Night hotels, overseeing design, sales and marketing efforts for these brands. With the onboarding of current
Hampshire Hotels Management and Debut Hotel Group CEO Eric Danziger in 2014, McNamara rebranded several existing brands and brought
to life additional lifestyle hotel identities including Augustus Hotels & Resorts and Unscripted Hotels. A graduate of the University of California, his resume includes
tenure at Ian Schrager Hotels, Four Seasons and Radisson as well as the Carmel Valley Ranch Resort, The Lodge at Pebble Beach and Clint Eastwood’s Mission
Ranch in food and beverage. In 2013, McNamara was honored with Hospitality Design Magazine’s Wave of the Future award in its inaugural year.
JONATHAN P. MEHLMAN
President & CEO - ARC Hospitality
Jonathan P. Mehlman was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of ARC Hospitality in November 2014. Previously, he served as
Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of ARC Hospitality, its advisor and its property manager since their formation in July 2013.
Mr. Mehlman has 22 years of experience in the real estate investment banking and capital markets with significant focus in the hospitality sector.
From August 2012 until January 2013, Mr. Mehlman was co-head of the real estate advisory group at KPMG before joining American Realty
Capital in January 2013 as an Executive Vice President and Managing Director. Previously, Mr. Mehlman was co-head of the lodging and gaming
investment banking business for Citadel Securities, an affiliate of The Citadel Group. From August 2008 to September 2009, Mr. Mehlman served
as head of the real estate advisory group at HSBC. From 2005 to 2008, he led the hospitality investment banking effort for Citigroup Global
Markets. From 1993 to 2005, he worked at Deutsche Bank Securities and its predecessor company, Bankers Trust Company, in the real estate investment banking
group. Mr. Mehlman received his bachelor of art in art history from the University of Michigan as well as a master in business administration with a focus in real
estate and finance from the University of North Carolina.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
GARY MENDELL
CEO & Founder - Shatterproof
Gary Mendell is the founder and CEO of Shatterproof, a national organization committed to protecting our children from addiction to alcohol or
other drugs, and ending the stigma and suffering of those affected by this disease. Mr. Mendell founded Shatterproof to honor his son, Brian, who
lost his battle with addiction in 2011. In its first year, Shatterproof was influential in the passage of legislation in three states that will significantly
reduce the number of deaths related to overdose, and has provided funding to expand the use of an intervention program that has proven to
reduce the number of our teens that will become addicted. Shatterproof has also launched a series of innovative rappelling events in thirty cities
across the United States to reduce the stigma associated with this disease, and raise funding for its mission. Prior to Shatterproof, Mr. Mendell
founded and was CEO of HEI Hotels & Resorts. HEI manages a portfolio of ~40 hotels, with revenues of ~$650 million and value of ~$3 billion.
Prior to HEI, Mr. Mendell was president of Starwood Lodging Trust and a member of its board of trustees. Mr. Mendell is a member of the Clinton Health Matters
Initiative, the Industry Real Estate Finance Advisory Council and a charter member of President Obama’s Better Building Challenge. Mr. Mendell received his B.S.
from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and his MBA with distinction from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
MITCH MILLER, J.D., M.B.A.
Principal - Miller Law Group, P.C.
Representation of hotel owners, developers, and management companies for 25 years, including 10 years as EVP-COO for two hotel companies
with supervising responsibility for renovating, operating and/or developing ten hotels, including the 4-star Garden Court Hotel, Palo Alto,
California, the first ground up boutique hotel in the United States. Hotel legal assignments include: buy/sell transactions; debt and equity financings;
franchise negotiations; workouts and Chapter 11 reorganizations; 1031 tax deferred exchanges and tenancies in common; development and
construction agreements; marketing and reservation agreements; restaurant/banquet leases; ADA claims; litigation matters. Allied Memberships:
AAHOA, AHLA & CHLA, CLIA, ICSC and NABHOOD. Board Positions: Sustainable Business Institute, Hotels That Help. Recent Publications and
Presentations include CH&LA, “Current Developments In Franchise Law” webinar; Speaker, Marcus & Millichap Sales Meeting, Chicago re “Hotel
Franchise Issues and Hotel Purchase and Sale Agreements”; CHLA Newsletter, “Key Issues To Consider When Seeking a CMBS Loan”; CEB Update, Real Property
Sales Transactions Guide, rewrote chapter 5 “Specialty Commercial Purchase and Sale Agreement Provisions: Hotels”.
ASHLEY MOHAN
Global Business Manager - Google
Ashley Mohan is a Senior Account Executive in Google’s Travel practice, responsible for the strategy and sales for boutique, luxury and lifestyle
hospitality clients. A results-oriented executive with a proven track record of launching innovative marketing campaigns, she brings over 15
years of experience in hospitality, development, and sales experience to Google. Prior to joining Google, Ashley was Vice President at Ohana
Real Estate Investors, a hospitality private equity firm and owner and developer of Montage Hotels & Resorts. In this capacity, she had P&L
responsibility for over $500MM of real estate assets in the portfolio, a division that generated $100MM of sales the final 24 months of her tenure.
She also served as Director of Business Development for Peninsula Papagayo, a master planned resort community in Costa Rica and developer
of Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo. In this capacity she built and led sales and marketing teams for multiple projects, managed outside
marketing, PR, business development, and legal consultants. She started her career at the Mitchell Madison Group, a management consulting firm. She graduated
with a degree in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She resides in the San Francisco bay area with her husband and two
children.
MICHAEL MORTON
Vice President, Owner Relations - Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Michael Morton is Vice President, Owner Relations for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. Morton oversees the company’s North American development
team and the development process from hotel member application to activation. Since joining Best Western in 2009, Morton has made many
contributions including leading brand training efforts to become one of the best in the industry, development of the company’s customer-care
initiative I Care® and led the company’s customer feedback initiative by working with partner Medallia to greatly enhance the customer survey
feedback reporting tools and training available to Members. Before joining Best Western, Morton was involved in single property and corporate
multi-hotel operations since 1985, working with such brands as Doubletree, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt and Marriott. He spent more than ten
years with Boykin Management Company (BMC), most recently as senior vice president of operations for BMC overseeing their full-service hotel
portfolio. Morton was also vice president of operations for JHM hotels, hired to lead the company’s entry into the full-service upscale hotel market. He has a very
strong hotel operations background with expertise in food and beverage operations. He is a graduate of the University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree in
Industrial Management/Industrial Accounting.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
RUSSELL D. MUNN
Senior Vice President - Lowe Enterprises Investors
Russell D. Munn, Senior Vice President of Lowe Enterprises Investors providing strategic oversight for the firm’s hospitality portfolio, including the
acquisition, disposition, financing and operation of assets in the firm’s commingled fund as well as separate accounts and joint ventures. His
responsibilities include oversight of annual asset and portfolio strategic plans focused on optimizing investment performance, asset dispositions
and debt financing as well as selectively sourcing new hospitality investments and other business opportunities for the hospitality portfolio.
Previously Mr. Munn was responsible for hotel acquisitions and capital raising for a large, private hotel owner. He also spent eight years in
investment banking with Bank of America and Citigroup. Education: Indiana Wesleyan University, BS; University of Chicago MBA.
GIL J. MURILLO
Senior Vice President - Watermark Capital Partners
Gil Murillo is Senior Vice President of Watermark Capital Partners, a real estate investment management firm that co- manages two publiclyregistered lodging REITs, Carey Watermark Investors Inc. and Carey Watermark Investors 2 Inc. (collectively “CWI”). CWI has acquired 35 assets
since 2011 with an aggregate value of $3 billion and expects to raise over $1.5 billion in equity for new investments over the next couple years.
Mr. Murillo heads Watermark’s acquisitions group and has been involved in all CWI investments to date. Immediately prior to joining Watermark,
he was an Associate in Citigroup’s gaming & lodging equity research group, where he performed fundamental equity analysis of companies in
the gaming and lodging industries. Prior to that, he was an Analyst at Fieldstone, a boutique investment bank located in New York, where his
activities were focused primarily on mergers and acquisitions advisory services for clients in a range of industries. Mr. Murillo graduated from
Fordham University with a concentration in finance and obtained a Master of Science in Real Estate from Columbia University.
VIJAY NAIK
Senior Vice President, Business Development - The Loan Depot Lending Co. Inc.
Vijay has over 20 years’ experience providing debt for the Hospitality Industry throughout the USA. For the past 3 years he has served as the
Executive e Vice President of the Hospitality Division for the Loan Depot Lending Company. In this position he is responsible for the origination
of fixed and floating rate, non-recourse hospitality real estate loans throughout the United States and Canada. The company funded over $400
Million in Hospitality loans in 2014 and is on target to fund over $800 Million in 2015. Before joining The Loan Depot Vijay was one of the top
Hospitality debt originators for both conventional and SBA financing for The Business Lenders (financed by Merrill Lynch), Business Loan Express
New York and Temecula Valley Bank CA. Vijay also served as a Hotel Broker for American Hotel Motel Brokers and National Hotel Brokers in
California. Vijay has an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance from Kent University United Kingdom.
TOM NAUGHTON
Chief Investment Officer - Clearview Hotel Capital, LLC
Tom Naughton is the Chief Investment Officer of Clearview Hotel Capital, LLC. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, Clearview is a
privately-held hotel investment company focused on acquiring, repositioning, and asset managing hotels in urban and unique locations. Since its
inception in 2007, Clearview has acquired over $1.0 billion of hotel real estate. Prior to joining Clearview in 2009, Mr. Naughton was the Senior
Vice President of Acquisitions and Development for Sunstone Hotel Investors (NYSE: SHO). In addition to helping take Sunstone public through
an IPO in October 2004, Mr. Naughton led a team that acquired $2.3 billion of hotel assets and sold over 40 hotels generating approximately
$1.0 billion in sale proceeds. Prior to joining Sunstone in 2003, he held executive positions with ING Realty Partners, Westmont Hospitality, and
Goldman Sachs’s Whitehall Group. Mr. Naughton is a graduate of Stanford University with a B.A. in International Relations and Economics. Mr.
Naughton lives in Newport Beach, California with his wife and two sons.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
C. ROBERT NEAL, AIA, NCARB
Principal - Cooper Carry
As a principal in Cooper Carry’s Hospitality Specialty Practice Group, Mr. Neal has designed over 100 hospitality-related projects in the United
States, the Caribbean and the Middle East. Bob’s practice is particularly focused on the design of luxury resorts, boutique hotels and upper
upscale conference and convention hotels. He is currently Principal on The Henderson, a hotel designed to five star standards in Destin, Florida
and the Cleveland Hilton Convention Hotel. Bob actively engages and participates in the design and management of the projects on which he
works. He has practiced architecture for 35 years, specializing in hotel design since joining Cooper Carry in 1988. Having graduated from
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, he is licensed in 17 states and in Puerto Rico and is board certified by the National Council
of Architectural Registration. Cooper Carry and its Center for Connective Architecture, is a global design firm consisting of architects, planners,
graphic designers, interior designers and landscape designers. They collaborate with their clients and other stakeholders on a variety of projects where their core
foundation is to champion innovation, fresh thought and creative solutions. As hospitality designers, they strive to design projects which connect People to Place.
JONATHAN C. NEHMER
Chairman and Founder - Jonathan Nehmer + Associates, Inc.
Jonathan C. Nehmer, AIA, ISHC is the Chairman and Founder of Jonathan Nehmer + Associates, Inc., an international Architecture, Interior
Design, Project Management, and Design and Construction Consulting firm that specializes in the hospitality industry. He is also a Principal with
HVS Design. Mr. Nehmer is an expert in the development, design, and construction of hospitality projects. A licensed architect, Mr. Nehmer has
more than 35 years of experience as an architect, designer, and owner’s representative for the hospitality industry. Prior to founding Jonathan
Nehmer + Associates, Inc. in 1989, Mr. Nehmer directed the design and construction of real estate development projects for several major hotel
chains, including Marriott International and Ramada, Inc. In 2009, Mr. Nehmer and the JN+A team created the first Hotel Cost Estimating Guide,
a comprehensive guide that provides the most extensive reference for hotel renovation costs for all levels of hotel renovation. The Hotel Cost
Estimating Guide is published with new data and additional features each year. He is also an author of the ISHC 2014 Capex Study which documents the history
of capital expenditures in the hotel industry.
DENNIS NESSLER
Editor at Large - Hotel Business
Dennis Nessler is the Editor-at-Large for Hotel Business magazine and has covered the lodging industry for better than 11 years now as part of his
more than 23 years of experience in trade journalism. In his position, Dennis covers all aspects of lodging, writing news and feature stories for
the magazine as well as items for HotelBusiness.com, the publication’s website. Dennis is also a Contributing Editor for Hotel Business Design, a
sister publication of Hotel Business specializing in hotel design.
PETER L. NICHOLS
National Director, National Hospitality Group (NHG) - Marcus & Millichap
Pete Nichols joined Marcus & Millichap as National Director of the NHG in 2015, bringing 20 years of industry experience to the firm, first as
Regional and General Manager of Promus Hotels (now Hilton), followed by four years as President/Founder of Signature Hotel Group, where he
worked in the acquisition of boutique hotels. In 2003, Nichols joined Hodges Ward Elliott as Vice President, devoting ten years to working with
a team of agents in the listing, marketing and sale of more than 250 hotels, totaling almost $6 billion in hotel transactions. Just prior to joining
Marcus & Millichap, Nichols was Senior Vice President of Business Development for Richfield Hospitality, where he managed a team of senior
level executives on acquisitions, underwriting, due diligence and hospitality investments. He is based in Marcus & Millichap’s Manhattan office.
Nichols was a 3-time All America swimmer at Southern Connecticut State University before transferring to Johnson & Wales University and earning
a degree in Hospitality and Lodging Management.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
HOWARD NUSBAUM
President / CEO - American Resort Development Association (ARDA)
Howard C. Nusbaum has served as president and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) since 2000. His current role at
ARDA includes serving as president of the ARDA Board of Directors, the ARDA International Foundation (AIF) Board of Directors, and the ARDAROC Executive Committee. He also serves as publisher for ARDA’s Developments magazine, the “voice of the vacation ownership industry.”
Over the past 30 years, Howard has held executive hotel positions in the private sector, as well as executive positions in not-for-profit association
management. Prior to his career with ARDA, he served as director of corporate and industry relations for the AH&LA and executive vice president
of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association. Before entering association management in 1990, Howard was vice president of marketing for Janus
Hotels and Resorts. He serves on both the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the U.S. Travel Association. He is a frequent speaker on
financial, international, and vacation ownership topics—both domestically and internationally. Howard has written guest editorials for and is often interviewed by
hospitality and industry publications. He also participates on the editorial board as a contributing editor to Hotelexecutive.com.
GREG O’STEAN
Chief Development Officer, Americas - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
Greg O’Stean serves as the chief development officer for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel
companies. Mr. O’Stean reports to Javier Rosenberg, chief operating officer of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Mr. O’Stean is a veteran
hospitality professional with more than 25 years of hotel development and finance experience. Mr. O’Stean is in charge of leading the aggressive
growth strategy in the Americas for Carlson Rezidor and its brands including Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Radisson Red, Park
Plaza®, Park Inn® by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM. Mr. O’Stean joined Carlson Rezidor from Piper Jaffray & Company
in Atlanta, where he served as managing director and led a division of the hospitality investment banking team that focused on the development
of upscale hotels. His prior experience includes finance, acquisitions and development positions with Access Point Financial, Inc.; GE Capital;
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; InterContinental Hotels Group; and Ernst & Young. Mr. O’Stean holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial
Management and a Master’s degree in Management from Georgia Tech.
ROBERT D. OLSON
President - R.D. Olson Development
Robert Olson is the founder of R.D. Olson Development, an Irvine, California-based firm engaged in the development and repositioning of
commercial properties nationwide. He established the company in 1997 following nearly 20 years as founder and CEO of R.D. Olson Construction.
Mr. Olson guides the strategic vision for R.D. Olson Development—named Marriott’s Developer of the Year in 2014--with an active, hands-on
approach toward every facet of construction and development. He works closely with design and development teams in some of the company’s
most prestigious projects, providing valuable input for marketing, investment analysis, debt and equity structures, planning and entitlements,
budgeting, constructability and end-user requirements. R.D. Olson Development is recognized for its ability to identify and act on opportunities,
delivering solid execution through all phases of design and development while maintaining focus on the business strategy and the bottom line.
The majority of the firm’s developments have occurred in the Western U.S. and Hawaii, though Mr. Olson has built projects on a nationwide basis. A specialist in
developing hospitality properties, the firm is also experienced in the development of office, retail, multifamily and recreational projects. Mr. Olson’s longstanding
experience as a builder has proven to be highly beneficial for development projects.
EJ PARK
Vice President / Senior Credit Officer - Moody’s Investors Service
EJ is a Vice President/ Senior Credit Officer for Moody’s Investors Service. She joined the Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) group
in 1998, and has rated new issuance transactions in the US and in Japan. She currently heads up the Large Loan Team in Surveillance, and has
authored special comments on hotel-specific topics. Prior to joining Moody’s, EJ worked for Arthur Andersen Hospitality Consulting Group in New
York City, and she also has international hotel operation experience. EJ has a BA from Ewha Womens University, and a Master of Management
in Hospitality from the Hotel School, Cornell University.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
JAY R. (JIMMY) PATEL, CHO
Chairman, 2015 - AAHOA
Jay “Jimmy” Patel is a second generation hotelier. His family has served the North Carolina hospitality business since 1980. The family-owned
company has owned and operated a portfolio of more than a dozen hotels under a variety of brands encompassing all industry segments. Jimmy
is a nationally recognized leader in the relationship between franchisees and franchisors. In 2007, Jimmy was the force behind a resurgence
of the Owners 8 Association (O8A), the only independent group of Wyndham Hotel Group franchisees. The Association grew to more than
1,500 owners during Jimmy’s term as President, which concluded in 2012. In 2009, Jimmy became an active AAHOA member. His passion for
franchise relations and political advocacy helped raise these issues to prominence in the Association. Born in London, Jimmy lived in the U.K. for
10 years before moving to Navsari, India, where he attended The Convent School in Navsari. At the age of 13, Jimmy returned to London. He
then immigrated to the United States in 1982. Jimmy attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, earning an undergraduate degree in environmental
sciences and economic geography, along with earning a master’s degree in economic geography. Jimmy lives in Winston-Salem with his wife, Rakhi, and their
son, Prateek, as well as his parents R.K. and Kusum Patel, who were among AAHOA’s original members in 1989. Jimmy’s love of hospitality and dedication to his
fellow hotel owners, have earned him widespread respect throughout lodging and placed him as one of the most influential voices in the industry.
MEHUL B. ‘MIKE’ PATEL
CEO & Chairman - NewcrestImage Management, LLC
Mehul arrived in this country from India at age 14 and bought his first business two years later while still in high school. He increased the sales of
that bulk mail company five-fold before selling the firm. At age 17, Mehul and his brother bought their first hotel based on the opportunities they
saw first-hand as their parents worked at a Dallas-area hotel. They renovated, rebranded, and resold the property, then repeated the process with
almost 30 hotels. In February of 2013, they formed NewcrestImage, a partnership that includes three separate entities -- a real estate development
company, a hotel construction and renovation company, and a hotel management company. The firm owns and operates 15 hotel properties, with
another 15 properties under construction or in various stages of development. Mehul is active in the leadership of the American Hotel & Lodging
Association (AH&LA) and the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, plus he serves on the LaQuinta Brand Council and on the
board of the IHG Owners Association. He is a past Chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). He earned his undergraduate degree
in computer information systems at the University of Texas at Arlington.
PRATIK PATEL
Principal - REM Hospitality
As a nationally recognized leader in hospitality, Pratik has risen to the highest levels of the industry. He currently serves as
Immediate Past Chairman of the largest hotel owners association in the world, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Pratik
is also currently Vice-Chairman of the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, and serves on the national Board of Directors for the American Hotel
& Lodging Association. As co-founder and Principal partner of REM Hospitality, Pratik oversees a portfolio of more than a dozen hotel and other
real estate properties. REM Hospitality provides a turnkey management solution (Revenue management, human resources, on-site IT, sales and
marketing plans) for all properties. Perhaps the most important initiative realized under Pratik’s leadership is the uniting of hospitality for public
policy advocacy. During his tenure in AAHOA, the association has risen to new heights in representing the interests of owners and the entire
industry before lawmakers and policy makers on the national, state, and local levels. Pratik attended prestigious Baylor University -- earning an undergraduate
degree in Business Administration and Marketing, as well as a Master of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Science in Information Systems.
STACI PATTON
Senior Interior Designer, Senior Associate - DLR Group
Staci Patton is an interior designer born to design for hospitality. Her artful eye, natural feel for intriguing aesthetics and outgoing personality,
come together to produce environments that engage and excite the guest. She has a decade of hospitality experience, developing an expertise
in brand and boutique hotels, restaurants and gaming environments. Her leadership results in locally tuned hospitality solutions that set flagship
brands apart in competitive markets. A millennial and frequent traveler herself, Staci understands the value of exceptional design and how intimate
details can enhance the overall guest experience. She assists in growing DLR Group’s Hospitality Studio across the nation. She motivates her clients
to have fun with design and encourages a very collaborative process.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
BRIAN PAYEA
Head of Industry Relations - TripAdvisor
Brian Payea is the Head of Industry Relations for TripAdvisor, and is responsible for educational and policy outreach to the travel industry. He
focuses on strengthening the ties between TripAdvisor and the hospitality community. His department builds tools for hotel brand management,
hoteliers and other hospitality professionals to leverage the insights available from the wealth of traveler-contributed information on TripAdvisor
and other social media. Brian is a member of the HSMAI Americas board as well as the HSMAI Foundation board and AH&LA. He is a frequent
speaker on the subject of social media in travel at industry events around the world. Brian joined TripAdvisor in 2006. Previously, he led public
relations, marketing, government relations and investor relations at several technology and internet companies.
DAVID PEPPER
Chief Development Officer - Choice Hotels International
David Pepper is chief development officer for worldwide lodging franchisor Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH). In this position, he
is responsible for driving unit growth for each of the company’s brands in key markets worldwide. He also is an officer of the company. Mr.
Pepper joined Choice in 2002 as vice president of franchise sales and development for the company’s new construction brands. In 2004, he was
promoted to senior vice president of franchise development for North America. During his tenure at Choice, Mr. Pepper has been responsible for
leading franchise development to record levels and the launch of the Cambria hotels & suites brand, as well as the acquisition of the Suburban
Extended Stay Hotel brand. In 2009 Mr. Pepper was promoted to senior vice president, global development. And in 2015, in recognition of his
proven track record in driving significant unit growth for the company, he was named to his current position as chief development officer. Prior to
joining Choice, Mr. Pepper spent six years with US Franchise Systems as vice president of franchise sales for Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns. He also spent
five years with Holiday Inn Worldwide as a director of franchise sales. A graduate of Tufts University, Mr. Pepper has more than 20 years of experience in the
hospitality industry and is actively involved in a number of organizations, including past Chair of the Council of Inns & Suites for the American Hotel & Lodging
Association (AH&LA).
MATTHEW PETRIE
President - BDRC Americas
Matthew Petrie is a highly experienced researcher whose work has spanned the sectors of hospitality, consumer products, media, policy and arts
& culture. Matthew has helped clients succeed and grow with strategic, business-led insights for over 20 years. Prior to his current role at BDRC
Americas, Matthew was the founder and president of consultancy Fusion Research + Analytics. His previous experience includes work at both
agencies and corporations, including nine years in senior roles at global media company Discovery Communications, where he executed research
to evolve business strategies for network launches, retail, consumer products and digital media.
RON POHL
Senior Vice President, Brand Management - Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Ron Pohl is senior vice president, Brand Management for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. He serves on the company’s executive committee and
leads its Brand Management Team. Pohl oversees North American and Asia Operations and Development; his responsibilities also include
customer care, owner relations, revenue management, education and training, design, and supply, and international quality assurance. Pohl
joined Best Western in 2007 as vice president of operations. In that role, the 30-year hospitality industry veteran significantly improved Revenue
Management systems and hotel support, customer care department by implementing new education and training resources, the Best Western I
Care® program and restructured the departments to improve efficiency and support to hotels. Prior to joining Best Western, Pohl spent more than
20 years with Boykin Management Company, a respected hotel management firm based in Cleveland. Pohl’s diverse hotel background comes
from working with an array of hotel brands, including Choice, Hilton, Marriott and Radisson, and independent resorts and condo hotels. He currently serves on
the Board of Directors for AHLA and Grand Canyon University and previously served on the board of directors for the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater
Cleveland, as well as advisory committees for Marriott and Doubletree hotels.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
GREG PORTMAN, AIA, NCARB
President - PFVS Architecture
Greg is the President and Managing Principal of Raintree Architecture Inc. (PFVS) – a full service architectural firm with a nationwide reputation
for hospitality design. Under his leadership, PFVS has grown from a staff of three to a diversified firm of more than 40 architects and interior
designers. With more than 250 hotel projects completed or under design, PFVS is consistently ranked in the top 25 of all hotel design firms in the
nation. Organizational skills, refined over 40 years of experience, enhance Greg’s ability to meet budget and time constraints and to anticipate
and avoid potentially problematic situations. This attention to detail results in reduction of the Client’s risk, and ultimately produces a more refined
building design. Greg has been responsible for the management of numerous multi-million dollar projects through which he has gained valuable
insight into all phases of the planning and development of a wide range of hospitality projects. Some of Greg’s current projects include Embassy
Suites in St Augustine Beach, FL and Arlington TX; a 500 room Resort hotel in Daytona Beach, FL; a 200 room custom Springhill Suites in Athens, GA; and a dual
brand Springhill Suites & Fairfield Inn & Suites at Lakepoint Sports in Emerson, GA. A graduate of Ball State University, Greg received the degree of Bachelor of
Architecture in 1974 and has spent his entire career in the Atlanta area. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and has been repeatedly featured
in Who’s Who in Hospitality by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
THOMAS PRINS
Principal - Gemstone Hotels & Resorts
Thomas has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality business. Prior to becoming a Principal with Gemstone Resorts International, Thomas
served as CEO of Hospitality Investment Counselors (HIC). Thomas, along with his capital partner Hospitality Worldwide Services as well as with
joint venture partners such as Apollo Real Estate Advisors LP and ING Realty Partners LP, acquired a number of hotels totaling over $500 million
in asset value. In concert with Prime Hospitality, Thomas co-developed eight AmeriSuites in the Western US. Thomas was also a Principal in the
mixed-use project, Village at Breckenridge. Prior to founding HIC, Thomas served as Manager of the National Hospitality Practice of Kenneth
Leventhal & Company in Los Angeles. Previously, Thomas was a Senior Consultant for Pannell Kerr Forster in New York City. For the last 4 years
Thomas has been a guest lecturer teaching development at Cornell School of Hotel Administration Graduate Program. He is a member of the
Cornell Hotel Society, the Cornell Real Estate Council, New York Hospitality Council, and the Urban Land Institute. He is a licensed real estate broker in the State
of New York. In addition, Thomas sits on the Board of the Frisbee Foundation and the Connecticut Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Thomas holds
a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University.
BRIAN QUINN
Senior Vice President, Chief Franchise Officer - Red Lion Hotels Corporation
Brian Quinn joined Red Lion Hotels Corporation as Senior Vice President and Chief Franchise Officer in May 2014. He oversees hotel franchise
development opportunities, facilitating expansion of the RLHC brands across the United States. With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality
industry, Quinn most recently served as Executive Vice President of Development at Driftwood Hospitality Management and Vice President of
Upscale Development for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), overseeing growth of the Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo brands across key
markets including the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. During his 20 years with IHG, Brian also held leadership positions in franchise services,
owner relations and hotel operations. Previously, he served in franchise development for Hilton Hotels Corporation.
ROBERT A. RAUCH, CHA
Chief Executive Officer - RAR Hospitality
Robert Rauch, CHA, is CEO of RAR Hospitality, a leading hospitality management firm. Rauch has over 35 years of hospitality-related management
experience in all facets of the industry. Widely recognized as the “hotel guru,” Mr. Rauch maintains a blog where he expounds upon insights
and trends in the hospitality industry at www.hotelguru.com. Along with the blog, he also publishes Hospitality Innsights, a monthly electronic
newsletter. Mr. Rauch held nearly every position in the hotel business including General Manager of full-service Four Diamond hotels for Hilton
and Embassy Suites. With a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration from Western International University and a master’s degree in Tourism
Administration from Arizona State University, Rauch has served as president and on the board of numerous tourism organizations. He has
developed several leading brand hotels, some of which the firm still owns and manages. In 2015, RAR has acquired four hotels in Arizona and
is building another in California. Mr. Rauch is a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University where he teaches Entrepreneurial Tourism and frequently speaks at
industry conferences and meetings. He is widely quoted on television, radio and in numerous publications.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
STEVEN REISWIG
Vice President, Design and Construction - BRE Select Hotels
Steve Reiswig has been involved in development and construction his entire adult life with over 20 years in the hospitality industry. Raised in
Kodiak Alaska, Steve moved to Hawaii in the early 90s and embarked on his career managing ground up construction of golf course Club Houses,
Custom Homes, Condominium Complexes, and a variety of other interesting and challenging development projects. In 1995 Steve moved to
Scottsdale, Arizona and went to work for a hotel building and renovation company managing hotel projects as a Project Manager and a builder
over the western united states. From 1999-2001 Steve worked for Wyndham International out of Dallas as a Project Manager, again over the
western U.S. Steve managed his own business, a PM and GC firm, for the next 12 years managing projects for entities such as Starwood, FelCor,
Strategic, LXR, OSI and HMC. During these years Steve endeavored in in the wine industry as a founding partner of Chateau Faire Le Pont an
award winning Washington winery and became involved in the ownership of real estate developments throughout the State of Arizona. Steve currently acts as VP
of Design and Construction for BRE Select Hotels.
MORGAN REMMERS
Senior Manager of Business Outreach - Yelp
Morgan Remmers is Yelp’s Senior Manager of Business Outreach for the Western half of North America. Morgan educates the SMB community
on how to utilize Yelp to effectively market their business and how to best approach the ever-growing world of online reviews. She does this by
speaking at national business conferences, hosting webinars, planning Yelp workshops and authoring Yelp’s weekly business owner newsletter.
Morgan also oversees Yelp’s Small Business Advisory Council and acts as a liaison between the small business community and the different
divisions within Yelp.
MICHELLE RENN
Managing Editor - Hotel-Online.com
As managing editor for Hotel-Online.com, Michelle oversees the production, editorial and advertising for the original, and leading online news
magazine for the hospitality industry. Michelle has been associated with hospitality related news and events since 2007 through her involvement
with Hospitality Upgrade, the leading technology magazine for the hotel industry. Assuming her role as editor with Hotel-Online in early 2009,
and managing editor in 2010, she has been instrumental in diversifying the news mix to better suit the growing need for information relating to
operational functions in a variety of segments for hoteliers worldwide. She regularly serves as a moderator for several leading industry conferences
such as The Lodging Conference, HTNG and NABHOOD. Previous experience as a general manger, event and meeting planner, independent
business owner, and having a role as an executive leader in many civic and community organizations has provided her a well-rounded perspective
on the unique needs of business, personnel management and motivation. A graduate of the University of Utah and mother of two, she currently resides in a suburb
of Atlanta, Georgia.
WILLIAM H. REYNOLDS, JR.
Senior Managing Director - MCS Capital LLC - The Marcus Corporation
Bill Reynolds heads MCS Capital LLC, an affiliate of The Marcus Corporation, (NYSE) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is Senior Managing Director
of The Marcus Corporation.The Marcus Corporation formed MCS Capital to expand its focus on value-add lodging investments. Marcus has
extensive expertise with branded and independent upscale properties, historic hotels and complex resort operations, and is also experienced in
public-private partnerships. Prior to starting MCS, Reynolds served as Secretary of the College at Trinity College; Managing Director and Chief
Investment Officer at Thayer Lodging Group; EVP & Chief Investment Officer of MeriStar Hospitality and SVP Development of Interstate Hotels &
Resorts and CapStar Hotel Company. Reynolds started his career in the hotel industry in 1985 as a principal and EVP of Metro Hotels in Dallas.
Reynolds is a member of the Urban Land Institute Hotel Development Council. He serves on the board of directors of Carey Watermark Investors.
Reynolds earned a BA degree from Trinity College in Hartford. Reynolds served on Trinity’s Board of Trustees (1999 – 2008), is Secretary of the College Emeritus,
and is on the board of directors of The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
STEPHANIE M. RICCA
Editor-At-Large - Hotel News Now
Stephanie heads special projects and various content initiatives at Hotel News Now, including HNN’s Independent Insights newsletter. She boasts
nearly a decade’s worth of experience in hotel trade journalism, most recently serving as Editor-in-Chief at Hotel Management magazine before
joining HNN in January 2015. She is a graduate of Wittenberg University and holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School of
Journalism at Northwestern University.
KIP RICHARDS
Principal - Source Direct Construction Imports
Kip Richards is a graduate of Economics from the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul Minnesota. In addition, he completed a degree in Spanish
while studying abroad at The St. Louis University, Madrid. Kip resides with his wife Stephanie and his two children in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
He is very active in varies associations and with community activities. He began his career in the commercial real-estate industry. Later, his
service-minded nature compelled him to enter the hospitality industry in order to satisfy needs not adequately met in today’s marketplace. His
manufacturing firm Source Direct, fulfills a niche between cutting edge design and economic realities through a unique and redundant process.
Source Direct designs, engineers and manufactures barn door systems, custom doors, shower glass systems, and complete vanities systems for
their customers at an affordable level. Source Direct has earned the respect of their clients and become the specified supplier for many of the
national branded hotels. The goal of Source Direct is to provide the industry with quality products that arrive on time, are easy to install, and maintain a high
preserved value. Their products are known to be easily specified by architectural and design communities.
DAN RICHARDSON
Senior Director Business Development - Entegra Procurement Services
Dan is a lifelong veteran of the hospitality industry. He started in restaurants at the age of fourteen and his career spans both multi-unit Restaurant
and Lodging Operations. Dan joined entegra in July 2012, with a focus on Business Development in the Hotel, Casino and Restaurant Industries.
Prior to joining entegra, Dan acted as Principal of a large Hospitality Purchasing Group. This role provides Dan with a unique perspective and
insight into the challenges faced by today’s hospitality executives & managers. Dan is a Graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park,
NY and has held positions which including; General Manager, Vice President of Food & Beverage, Executive Chef and Principal.
JULIE RICHTER
Chief Financial Officer - Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company
Julie Richter is the Chief Financial Officer of Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company. Since joining Concord in July, 2007, Julie has led the
efforts to finance over $800 million of hotel projects from both a capital and debt perspective. Concord has utilized various federal, state and
local programs to finance and enhance projects including EB-5, New Market Tax Credits, lease structures, among others, as well as ordinary first
mortgage financing. Prior to joining Concord, she was Vice President and Controller of Boykin Lodging Company, a publicly traded hospitality
real estate investment trust, for five years, and she was an Audit Manager with Arthur Andersen LLP for eight years. She holds a Master of Science
in Accounting from the University of Central Florida.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
CLIFF RISMAN
Partner - Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
Cliff Risman is a veteran business lawyer who represents companies that develop, own, operate and finance hotels around the world. He chairs the
Firm’s hospitality industry team and is described by clients in the Chambers USA Guide as “very practical and always accessible.” Clients choose
Cliff over competitors because he speaks the language and fully understands every aspect of their business – from securing capital, structuring
deals and negotiating management contracts, to guiding clients through labor, tax, food and beverage, and operational matters and disputes. Cliff
represents luxury and boutique hotel and resort brands, operators and management companies, developers, private equity and other investors in
their highest profile projects. He understands how to best tackle the various agreements – he knows the hospitality industry and the unique business
and economic issues that arise – and he has guided clients through many complex matters and dispute resolutions. Cliff ensures that clients are
protected, focuses intently on their broader business goals, and knows how, where and when to push to get the deal done as quickly as possible.
JULIUS W. ROBINSON
Vice President & Global Lead, Autograph Collection Hotels - Marriott International
Julius W. Robinson is the Vice President and Global Lead for Autograph Collection Hotels, a member of Marriott’s Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio.
In this role he is responsible for business development, brand positioning, marketing, and overall operations for the brand consisting of over 90
hotels around the world. Robinson also leads a team dedicated to Marriott’s Diversity Ownership Initiative aimed at increasing hotel ownership
among women and minorities. Prior to this, Julius was the Vice President, Franchise Operations for Marriott’s Fairfield Inn & Suites Brand
comprised of over 700 hotels throughout the Americas. Mr. Robinson’s Marriott career spans 22 years where he has held senior leadership roles
in hotel operations, global sales, and revenue management. He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a BA degree in Political Science and an
MBA from the R.H. Smith Business School at the University of Maryland.
DAVID ROEDEL
Managing Member - Roedel Companies
Mr. Roedel is a Managing Member and team leader of the company’s Operating Team. The team is responsible for the development and
implementation of the annual and strategic company plans. In addition, David serves as business development team leader spearheading
business and real estate development. Prior to forming Roedel Companies in 2000 with his father, Fred B. Roedel, and brother, Fred B. Roedel III,
David acted as Director of Real Estate Development for Chalet Susse International. At Roedel Companies, David has permitted, developed and
acquired hotels throughout the eastern US. David is a contributing author for New England Real Estate Journal’s “Hospitality Spotlight” and has
served as a panelist at The Lodging Conference, Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, HELP Hotel Conference, Hotel Data Conference and Global
Hospitality and Lodging Summit. Mr. Roedel stays active in the community as a former director on various boards including the Boys & Girls Club
(Manchester, NH), Big Brothers Big Sisters (Nashua, NH), New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Manchester Historic Association and the Greater Manchester
Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, he was named as a member of New Hampshire’s “40 Under Forty” list of leaders by the Union Leader. David graduated from
Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He resides in Manchester, NH with his wife Mary Lynn and daughters Reilly, Lindsay
and McKensey.
CHIP ROGERS
President and CEO - AAHOA
Chip Rogers serves as President and CEO of AAHOA, the nation’s largest hotel owners association. Prior to joining AAHOA, Rogers had a long
career as a small business owner and public servant. He previously served in the Georgia General Assembly, being elected six times. Senator
Rogers was unanimously elected to serve two-terms as the Senate Majority Leader. Rogers sponsored and helped to pass into law major legislation
during his time in office and in 2011 was elected the first National Chairman of the Majority Leaders conference. As a lawmaker Rogers earned
more than two dozen Legislator of the Year awards, including twice from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and was a three-time winner of
the Golden Peach award given to the lawmaker most dedicated to digital learning in Georgia. In the private sector Rogers has been a long-time
small business owner with interests in broadcasting, marketing and real estate. He founded and led Rogers Communications for two decades. He
earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Georgia State. He and his wife Amy have four children and live in metro Atlanta.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
KYLE ROGG
President and COO - WoodSpring Suites
Kyle Rogg is WoodSpring Suites’ President and Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for the operating performance of each of WoodSpring
Suites’ divisions including Development, Construction, Franchise Services, Property Management, and the eighty-four WoodSpring Suites companyowned properties. WoodSpring Suites’ nearly 200 franchised and company owned properties make it the largest economy extended-stay brand
in America. Kyle joined the WoodSpring Suites executive leadership team in 2011 to drive WoodSpring Suites’ next phase of franchise and
company property growth. Prior to WoodSpring Suites, Kyle spent fifteen years at CLC Lodging (formerly Corporate Lodging Consultants), the
nation’s largest negotiator and payment processor of workforce lodging rates, most recently as Senior Vice President of Business Development.
Kyle led the development of the company’s SMB business line, expanding CLC’s customer base from 200 to 50,000 companies, charitable
organizations and governmental entities and was a member of the private-equity backed leadership team, which sold CLC to Fleetcor Technologies in 2009. Kyle
lives in Wichita, Kansas, is married and has four children. He is a graduate of Friends University and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University
of Kansas.
JAVIER ROSENBERG
Chief Operating Officer, Americas / Executive Vice President Managed Hotels, Americas - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
Javier Rosenberg is responsible for leading operations and development for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group which includes Radisson Blu®, Radisson®,
Park Inn® by Radisson, Park Plaza®, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM as well as the recently introduced Radisson Red brand in the Americas,
reporting to David P. Berg, chief executive officer, Carlson Hospitality. In this role, he is focused on the performance, and growth of the Carlson
Rezidor brands in the Americas. Key Initiatives include further expansion of the revitalized Radisson brand; the introduction and growth of Carlson
Rezidor’s upper upscale brand, Radisson Blu; the launch of Radisson Red, the new lifestyle brand announced in 2014; supporting the evolution of
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson into the updated prototype program; and focus on Carlson Rezidor’s managed hotel portfolio in the Americas,
ensuring operational excellence and optimizing performance of the hotels. Rosenberg has been with Carlson Rezidor since January of 2011 in
a number of executive leadership roles. His past experiences include extensive global operational roles in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia with
companies including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Raffles.
JOEL ROSS
President - Citadel Realty Advisors
Mr. Ross began his career in Wall Street as an investment banker in 1965, where he handled public offerings, mergers & acquisitions, leveraged
buyouts, and other corporate advisory matters for a variety of clients. During the seventies he was CEO of North American operations for a UK
based conglomerate where he acquired and oversaw six companies. In 1981, he began his own firm handling leveraged buyouts and investment
banking, as well as financing real estate syndications. In 1993, Mr. Ross, and partners created the first Wall Street hotel CMBS program, in
conjunction with Nomura. They went on to develop a similar CMBS program for Lehman and for five leading hotel companies. In 1999 he, in
partnership with the former Global Head of Real Estate for Citibank, and another prominent investment banker, formed Citadel Realty Advisors as
a successor to Ross Properties Corp., Citadel focuses on all types of real estate investment banking. He has closed over $3.0 billion of financings
for all types of real estate projects. Mr. Ross was co-master developer for a 240 acre brownfield mixed use development in Sacramento, CA. In 2007, he was also
a co-developer on a 430 acre brown field site in New Jersey in partnership with LNR. Currently Mr Ross is the US real estate advisor for Aktis Capital representing
various Asian investors in their US based acquisitions. Mr. Ross is a graduate of the Wharton School.
ARAN RYAN
Director, Lodging Analytics - Tourism Economics
Aran Ryan is Director of Lodging Analytics at Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company. He is responsible for developing quantitative
tools to help hotel investors, operators and brands develop targeted investment and growth strategies. He recognizes that lodging investors
are approaching capital allocation with increasing sophistication, and that strategic investment criteria are more rigorous and require better
understanding of the growth prospects and risk profiles of specific markets and property types. Mr. Ryan has over 15 years of consulting
experience. Previously he was a Director in the Hospitality & Leisure consulting practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”). A graduate of
Colby College, Aran earned a MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
PAUL SACCO
Chief Development Officer - TPG Hospitality, Inc.
Mr. Paul Sacco oversees TPG Hospitality’s strategy and platform relating to the pursuit and execution new hospitality management contracts,
ground-up hotel developments and acquisition opportunities. Sacco joins TPG Hospitality from tenured successful careers at Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide and most recently Pyramid Hotel Group. At Starwood, Sacco led North American Development with an aggressive expansion
strategy for each of the hotel group’s nine brands in all segments. Over nearly a decade span during which he progressed from Vice President
of Development- East to Senior Vice President of Development-North America, Sacco proved a key player in driving Starwood’s growth by 143%
from 228 to 554 hotels. Sacco was also instrumental in launching the groundbreaking brands: Aloft Hotels and Element by Westin. While at
Pyramid Hotel Group, Sacco served as Senior Vice President of Development and Acquisitions for the firm, leading hotel growth activity nationally.
Previously, Sacco worked in various leadership positions in global sales, operations, and development for companies such as Swissotel, US Franchise Systems
and Omni Hotels. Sacco has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from Brown University. He lives in the greater Boston area with his wife Paula
and their three children.
ANA SALPER
Partner, Hospitality Labor & Employment Practice - BakerHostetler
Ana Salper is a Partner at BakerHostetler in the Labor and Employment Practice Group. She has a unique knowledge base in labor and
employment matters facing the hospitality and media industries. Ms. Salper regularly provides day-to-day advice and counsel for employers on the
full scope of workplace issues from the recruitment phase through termination, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leaves of absence,
religious and disability accommodation, social media issues, and compliance with federal, state and local employment laws. Ms. Salper’s practice
also encompasses traditional labor relations. She has served as lead negotiator in collective bargaining on behalf of employers in a variety of
industries, and has developed creative strategies for handling labor-management disputes. She has extensive arbitration experience, having
successfully arbitrated numerous complex labor arbitrations before several different arbitral forums. Ms. Salper is highly experienced with all
National Labor Relations Board procedures, including unfair labor practice and union representation proceedings, and has litigated labor-related matters in federal
district and appellate courts. Ms. Salper graduated with a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law, and a B.A. in history from Columbia University. She
speaks five languages fluently, including Spanish, French, Italian, and Hebrew.
DEAN SAVAS
Executive Vice President, Franchise Development and Management - G6 Hospitality LLC
Dean Savas is Executive Vice President of Franchise Development and Management with the goal of expansion of G6 Hospitality brands both
domestically and internationally. Savas is also responsible for implementation of new development initiatives that maintain accelerated growth
of the franchise business. Savas joined G6 Hospitality as a Regional Vice President for Motel 6 in 1992 with over 20 years of experience in the
hospitality industry with development and operation of mid-scale, economy and budget hotels in the U.S. In 1997, he was a member of the team
that developed and introduced the franchising strategy for G6 Hospitality. With the development of the Studio 6 extended stay brand, growth
through franchising was accelerated and development efforts were expanded to include Canada. Today these development efforts include Latin
America. Over the last fifteen years, Savas was instrumental in the strategic development, operations and administration of over 750 open or
under development franchise locations within the G6 Hospitality Brands (Motel 6 / Hotel 6 / Studio 6 / estudio6).
RUSSELL C. SAVRANN
Partner - Sandman Savrann PLLC
Russ provides sophisticated legal services for clients on hotel development, strategic planning, transactions, franchising and operational matters,
including finance, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, management agreements, and franchise. Russ’s prior experience in the hospitality
industry includes positions at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (Vice President, Associate General Counsel), and at The Ground Round,
Inc. (Director of Legal Affairs - acting General Counsel and Corporate Secretary). With offices in New York City, Boston, New Haven, Washington
DC, Seattle and Tacoma, Sandman Savrann delivers its exceptional service and value through its fifty plus highly regarded industry counselors
and para professionals, who are distinguished by their extensive knowledge, experience, and contacts in the hospitality industry. They lead our
comprehensive legal team, handling all the special needs and structures of the industry, as well bringing to bear in-depth practice and technical
knowledge in real estate, restructuring, finance, litigation, employment, securities, and tax. Russ is also principal and co-founder of RISA Hospitality Solutions LLC
a full service hospitality consulting firm specializing in facilitating off market hotel, residential and mixed use development in major markets including New York
City and matching private equity and debt with projects.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
KEVIN SCHRAMM
Regional Vice President of Franchise Sales & Development - IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)
Kevin Schramm serves as the Regional Vice President of Franchise Sales and Development for IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group). He leads a
team of seven Regional Directors focused on increasing distribution of IHG’s Core Brands including: Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge
Suites and Candlewood Suites in the Western half of the United States. Prior to joining IHG, Mr. Schramm was the Vice President, Real Estate and
Development, for Hyatt Corporation. In this role, he oversaw real estate development and franchising for Hyatt’s select service and extended stay
hotel brands in seventeen states and across Canada. Previously, Mr. Schramm served as Senior Director of Franchising for Wyndham Worldwide
(formerly Cendant) where he was responsible for franchise development in the Western United States. Preceding his stint with Wyndham, he was
involved in the food service industry as a single unit operator, multi-unit operator, and managing partner of a restaurant/bar concept in Houston,
TX. Mr. Schramm attended The University of Louisiana-Lafayette, where he played baseball and majored in Finance.
BEN SEIDEL
President and CEO - Real Hospitality Group
Ben Seidel brings over 35 years of experience in both the full and focused service hotel and convention center industries to Real Hospitality
Group’s executive team. He and his partner formed the company in June 2010 and with a unique business model. The company was founded
on providing measurable results, and in just over four years in business, the company manages 56 Hotels and Restaurants, over 7,613 guest
rooms and over $280 million dollars in revenues. Mr. Seidel served two terms as chairman of Sheraton’s International Franchise Council and was
a charter member of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Marketing Board of Directors. He has taught hospitality marketing and accounting at the
Central Connecticut State University’s school of hospitality, and is a current advisory board member of the School of Hospitality Management at
the West Virginia University in Morgantown. He served as chapter treasurer for the Professional Convention Management Association and is a
member of various hospitality boards and associations.
KEVIN SEMON
Vice President and Special Servicing Manager - Midland Loan Services
Mr. Semon is a Vice President and Special Servicing Manager for the Overland Park, Kansas based Midland Loan Services, a division of PNC
Bank, NA. With over 25 years of experience in this industry, his primary responsibilities include the workout of large balance notes with complex
structures mostly secured by hospitality properties. Recent resolutions include over $2 billion in hospitality secured CMBS loans through the
confirmation of complex bankruptcy reorganization plans. Experience includes all forms of collateral in domestic and international markets for
notes held by CMBS Trusts, investors or governmental entities. He is also the chief credit officer for Midland’s Special Servicing department and a
member of Midland’s Asset Review Committee and Advancing Credit Committee. Mr. Semon has additional experience completing due diligence
for new CMBS origination and the acquisition of loans and real estate assets in both domestic and international markets. Prior employers include
special servicers, private investors, banks, real estate developers and pension fund advisors. Mr. Semon has a B.S. in Business Administration from the University
of Colorado, Boulder, and a B.A. in Environmental Design (Architecture) from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
MARK D. SHALALA
Vice President Development, Cambria Hotels & Suites - Choice Hotels International
Mr. Shalala, is Vice President of Development and is directly responsible for the growth of Choice’s upscale, select service, lifestyle brand Cambria
Hotels & Suites. Mr. Shalala leads a development team implementing new strategies to increase the brand’s distribution among key markets
nationwide, This includes capitalizing on the company’s commitment to the brand, which includes $250 million in corporate investments and
other financial based incentives aimed to fuel the brand’s growth, Mr. Shalala has over 15 years of hospitality development and franchise sales
experience. Prior joining Choice, Mr. Shalala served as Senior Director of Development at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide responsible for
the strategic growth of Starwood’s nine upscale and luxury lifestyle brands in the southeastern United States and the Caribbean. He received his
bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in business & sports management.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
RUSS SHATTAN
Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Development - MCR Development
Mr. Shattan is the Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Development for MCR Development. He is responsible for all of MCR’s investment
activities including acquisition, disposition, development, and capital markets activities as well as supporting strategic planning for the firm. Since
joining MCR in 2011, Mr. Shattan has personally directed the successful purchases of 73 hotel properties comprising an aggregate value of $2.0
Billion. Mr. Shattan has also led MCR’s financing efforts and manages the firm’s relationships with its lending partners, which include both global
commercial and investment banks as well as local and regional lenders. From 2006 to 2011, Mr. Shattan was a Senior Manager at Starwood
Hotels & Resorts, where he served in the Real Estate Group. Mr. Shattan was involved in development, dispositions, and capital planning efforts
for Starwood’s owned assets as well as roles in the management and franchise teams within Starwood’s North American Development Group.
From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Shattan began his hospitality career as an Analyst at CNL Hotels & Resorts, a hotel REIT that was located in Orlando, FL. Mr. Shattan
earned a B.S. Degree in Hospitality Administration from Cornell University in 2004.
DOUGLAS SHIFFLET
Chairman & CEO - D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd.
Douglas Shifflet founded DKSA in 1982. The company specializes in travel research with both custom and detailed, monthly syndicated information.
Doug developed the Travel Performance/MonitorSM that has measured essentially all USA resident travel behavior, sector, segment and brand
usage, twelve times every year for over 20 years. The information is used by the U.S. Government, BEA and Homeland Security, several
hotel chains, destinations, airlines, AAA and others for travel volumes and trends, market segmentation with behavior and attitudes, planning,
forecasting and benchmarking metrics that require accurately projected population travel data. Mr. Shifflet is a Marketing Psychologist with over
35 years’ experience as a travel industry counselor in marketing and planning, with specialization in applied market research. He is an author,
lecturer on brand positioning, marketing, strategic planning, trends and ROI analyses. Doug has served on the U.S. DOC Tour and Travel Advisory
Board, advised Brand USA, and identified a cost effective method for reaching the Congressional TPA mandated visitor international surveys, with DHS support.
He also works with PATA in Asia and in Europe with OECD, Eurostat, the International Statistical Institute (ISI) and the UNWTO.
STACY SHOEMAKER RAUEN
Editor in Chief - Hospitality Design Magazine
Stacy Shoemaker Rauen is a well-respected and talented editor and writer, and is the editor in chief for Hospitality Design (HD) magazine, the
leading publication for the industry. Besides overseeing the content and direction of the magazine, Rauen is a noted speaker at industry events,
and as an avid tracker of trends, places, projects, and people, she puts together panels at HD’s conferences, and has been quoted in various
respected media outlets including CNBC and the Washington Post. She is also the founder of HD’s CitySCENE, a networking event series held
in metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. and internationally, meant to connect design professionals in each market, as well as NextGen Forum,
a conference for the next generation of hospitality design leaders. She holds two degrees from Northwestern University’s Medill School of
Journalism, including a master’s in journalism.
BERNARD N. SIEGEL
Principal - KSL Capital Partners
Mr. Siegel joined KSL Capital Partners as Principal in June 2006, bringing over 22 years of experience in the hospitality business. KSL is a $5.2
billion private fund that invests in the hotel, travel, and leisure industries. Prior to joining KSL Capital Partners, Siegel was Executive Vice President
of Lowe Hospitality Group, serving as chief investment officer of its wholly-owned subsidiary Destination Hotels & Resorts. While at Lowe, Siegel
helped raise a $270 million private equity fund, Lowe Hospitality Investment Partners, and was responsible for $615 million in lodging investments
and dispositions between 2004 and 2006. Mr. Siegel previously was Managing Director Hospitality Division of Secured Capital Corp, where
he was responsible for the firm’s $4.1 billion in hospitality investment banking transactions over a 10-year timeframe, which included Resolution
Trust Corp distressed loan portfolio underwriting and workouts. Mr. Siegel also held real estate positions at Marriott Corporation and Pannell Kerr
Forster. Siegel is former Program Chair of the Hotel Development Council of Urban Land Institute, and an Advisory Board Member at the University of Denver’s
School of Hospitality Management. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado and a B.A. from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
STEPHEN G. SIEGEL
President - Hospitality CPM (h-cpm)
Stephen G. Siegel has over 25 years of experience and success in construction project management of existing hotels, new development projects
and due diligence prospects. During his career he has managed over one billion dollars in new hotel construction, renovations, PIP and capital
improvement projects. He has extensive industry expertise at both public and private corporate levels. His experience includes working on all
major hotel brands including Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Starwood and Wyndham. Mr. Siegel has represented owners on multiple portfolios of hotels
as well as single asset opportunities. He is also credited with winning awards from franchisors for the renovation/conversion projects he managed.
He is considered an expert in the field of hospitality construction project management. Mr. Siegel has held seats on various boards of non-profit
organizations, a trustee for a low income senior living facility and was a member of the Board of Adjustment in the City of Parkland, Florida. His
occupational experience includes holding a Senior Vice President position at Paramount Hotel Group, a privately held hotel management/development group and
Vice President Construction for Prime Hospitality Corp, a publicly traded hotel company. Mr. Siegel received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Construction
Management from the University of Florida, graduating with high honors.
STACY SILVER
President - Silver Hospitality Group
Stacy Silver is President of Silver Hospitality Group, a boutique consultancy firm specializing in building revenues and profitability for hospitality
companies through targeted industry relations’ outreach, creative marketing solutions and special events. Prior to launching Silver Hospitality
Group, she served as Executive Director, Business Development and Sales for Questex Hospitality Events. Over the past two decades, Silver has
held increasingly influential positions with two of the industry’s leading media companies, serving in such capacities as vice president, publisher,
executive director events and executive director digital media, for Hotel Business (ICD Publications) and Hotel Management (Questex Media
Group). A 20-plus year hospitality-publishing veteran, Silver has a long track record of creating successful print, online products and events for
the hospitality industry. She is a leader in multiple industry fund-raising activities for charitable organizations and served as a board member for
the Latino Hotel Association and charter member of the International Society of Hospitality Purchasers among a number of other industry organizations. Silver
also is a frequent speaker at major industry events. She holds a Bachelors degree from SUNY Oneonta. Silver resides in Florida with her husband, Scott, and
their two children, Alex and Rayna.
VANESSA SINDERS
Senior Vice President, Government Affairs - American Hotel & Lodging Association
Vanessa Sinders is senior vice president and department head of government affairs for the American Hotel & Lodging Association. In this
role, she oversees the association’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and with administration policymakers, and is responsible for directing the
governmental affairs department in the development and execution of key strategies for addressing the issues facing the lodging industry, including
technology and distribution, workforce and labor as well as promotion of travel and tourism. She also directs the association’s political action
committee, HotelPAC, and grassroots program. Ms. Sinders comes to AH&LA from her previous position as chief of staff for the Campaign to Fix
the Debt, a bipartisan organization advocating for a solution to the nation’s long-term debt problems. Prior to that, she was chief of staff for former
Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown (R), the policy director for former New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg (R), and served as an analyst for the
Senate Budget Committee. Ms. Sinders received her BA in Government from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
JOSEPH C. SMITH
Chief Executive Officer - 1754 Properties LLC
Joe Smith is the CEO and founder of 1754 Properties LLC, an institutional hotel owner focused primarily on owning and repositioning hotels
and resorts in the United States and Latin America. He also owns Ardent Hotel Management Company, LLC with his partner, Si Sloman, which
manages hotels on behalf of 1754 and other third party hotel companies. Mr. Smith has owned over 30 hotels in his career and has had investors
which range from corporate pension plans of Fortune 500 companies, university endowments, public pension plans, Middle Eastern financial
institutions, ultra-high net worth individuals and others. To date, Mr. Smith has owned over $1.5 billion in real estate assets, primarily in the United
States. Mr. Smith graduated with an MBA from Columbia Business School and earned a BS in finance, with honors, from Santa Clara University.
He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma at both universities.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
JULIENNE SMITH
Senior Vice President, Real Estate & Development - Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Mrs. Smith is Senior Vice President Real Estate & Development for Hyatt Hotels Corporation where she is responsible for the franchise and
managed development of Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in North America. Previously, Smith served as Vice President of Real Estate and
Development where she oversaw the growth of Hyatt’s select service brands throughout the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United
States. Prior to joining Hyatt in 2005, Smith held several positions within Marriott International’s Lodging Development group in Bethesda, MD and
Newport Beach, CA. Mrs. Smith is a graduate of Boston University’s College of Arts & Sciences. She is an active member in several hospitality
industry organizations including AH&LA’s Women in Lodging Group. She recently moved from New Jersey to Chicago where she currently resides
with her husband and two children.
RICHARD A. SMITH
President and Chief Executive Officer - FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated
Since February 2006, Rick Smith successfully repositioned FelCor with a fundamentally improved portfolio quality and a stronger, more flexible
balance sheet to thrive throughout industry and economic cycles. Mr. Smith previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Wyndham International, Inc., where he was responsible for that company’s financial strategy and operations. Mr. Smith also worked for
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Atlantic Richfield Company and Coopers & Lybrand. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Mr.
Smith is a certified public accountant. He serves on the National Corporate Development Committee of Autism Speaks, and the Travel Advisory
Board of Active International, Inc., and is a member of the World Presidents Organization. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Governors
of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.
MICHAEL SONNABEND
Managing Member - PMZ Realty Capital LLC
Michael Sonnabend founded PMZ Realty Capital LLC in 2009 with Peter Berk. He has been active in the Hospitality Financing Market for over 20
years. PMZ is the leading provider of financing to private owners of hotels in the United States. During the past 12 months, the firm has completed
over $800,000,000 of transactions including acquisition, permanent, recapitalizations and construction financing. Since beginning his career in
1988, Michael Sonnabend has completed over $10 billion in financing and sale transactions nationwide. PMZ has financed both full and limited
service brands for every major hotel chain, including: Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Starwood, Choice Hotels and Wyndham. In
addition, he has arranged both debt and equity capital for independent and boutique properties. He began his real estate career at MetLife. Mr.
Sonnabend holds an MBA with a concentration in Real Estate and Finance from the University of Michigan and a BBA from George Washington
University.
ROBERT SONNENBLICK
Chairman - Sonnenblick Development, LLC
Mr. Sonnenblick is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance of the University of Pennsylvania with more than 30 years of experience in
various aspects of real estate and real estate finance. From 1981 to 1991 Mr. Sonnenblick was the driving force and power behind SonnenblickGoldman Corporation of California. In 1991 Mr. Sonnenblick was appointed Director of Development for the New Jersey and L.A. MetroMalls.
Mr. Sonnenblick was an original development partner of the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Prior to forming Sonnenblick Development, LLC,
Mr. Sonnenblick was the senior partner in a Los Angeles-based real estate development firm (Sonnenblick Del Rio Development) which specialized
in public-private partnerships. Mr. Sonnenblick is a frequent speaker at various real estate-related functions. He is a member of the Advisory Board
of the Golf Development Institute, a member of the Board of Real Estate Council of the Century City Chamber of Commerce and is a published
author on subjects ranging from architecture to general real estate market conditions. Mr. Sonnenblick has also been certified as an expert in the area of real
estate bankruptcy/foreclosure. Mr. Sonnenblick is a qualified expert witness in the area of Commercial Real Estate Finance and Interest Rates for the United States
Federal Court System in numerous jurisdictions.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
LARA STABELL-GIBB, CRME
Corporate Director of Revenue Management - OTO Development LLC
Lara, Corporate Director of Revenue Management for OTO Development LLC, based in Spartanburg, SC is a 29 year Hospitality industry veteran
and Revenue Management Executive. Lara’s experience includes brand expertise and certifications with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, IHG
and Choice Hotels, as well as luxury independent, select service and full service hotels throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
Ms. Stabell-Gibb has extensive knowledge and experience in segmentation, pricing, revenue management systems, third party internet booking
channels and guides OTO’s entire portfolio in all revenue management strategies. Currently Lara is responsible for leading a team of 7 Regional
Directors of Revenue Management, as well as overseeing high profile assets for the OTO portfolio. When Lara is not trying to gain share and
solve the Revenue Management puzzle she is a passionate fan of all professional New York sports teams and an ardent fan of not liking any
sports team from Boston.
MAX STARKOV
President & CEO - HeBS Digital
Max Starkov is President & CEO at HeBS Digital. Max is a recognized “thought leader” in Internet marketing strategies in hospitality and is a
frequent guest speaker and presenter at industry events and conferences. His hotel digital marketing and technology expertise is sought after by
a diverse client portfolio of top tier hotel brands, luxury and boutique hotel chains, hotel management companies, resort and casino companies,
franchisees and independents, as well as major Wall Street investment banks and financial institutions. Under Max’s leadership, HeBS Digital has
pioneered many of the “best practices” in hotel digital marketing and direct online channel distribution, and has won many prestigious awards for
its groundbreaking website design and digital marketing campaigns. Max received the HSMAI “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and
Marketing” honor for 2008. In 2010 Max was appointed to serve on the HSMAI Digital Marketing Council, the highest hotel internet marketing
authority in the country. Max has written numerous reports, conducted industry research, and published articles in major travel and hospitality publications. Max
has an MS in Economics of International Tourism and an MBA degree, Beta Gamma Sigma Honors, from Fordham University in New York.
GREGORY L. STEINHAUER
President - American Life Inc.
Gregory L. Steinhauer is President of American Life Inc. Since its inception in 1996, American Life has been at the forefront of raising EB-5
Investment Capital, raising over One-Billion Dollars covering almost 40 separate projects. Currently, Greg is overseeing development of a $240
Million Dollar Hotel/Office Project in the parking lot of Century Link Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks. Greg is a graduate of the Wharton
School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania.
DAVID B. STORM
President & CEO - Providence Hospitality Partners
Over the past 30 years, Mr. Storm has served in an executive leadership position with nation-wide ownership and operating entities, focusing
on the hospitality industry. During this period, Mr. Storm has participated in the operation of over 100 hotels, ranging from a 42-unit boutique
hotel in San Francisco to a1,100 unit themed resort in the Carolinas. David has participated in the “master planning” of a 2,200 acre resort and
renovation projects ranging from $500K to $15M. Clients and/or partners include Bank of America, Malayan United Industries, CW Capital,
Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, Lehman Brothers Holdings and more. David is Founder and CEO of Providence Hospitality Partners. (www.
ProvidenceHospitality.com). He is author and speaker for major hospitality publications and conferences including Cornell Quarterly, Hotel
Business, Hotel Management, Business Travel News, Lodging Magazine, The Lodging Conference and The Colorado Real Estate Journal. His 30
years of hospitality experience includes National Marketing Director for The Residence Inn System. David is currently serving on the Executive Board of Coaches
of Excellence (www.coachesofexcellence.com) and past Chairman of the Board for the National Association of Street Schools.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
TIM STRIPE
Co-President - Grand Pacific Resorts, Inc.
Tim Stripe has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of the resort hospitality industry, including site development, finance, capital markets,
and operations. He is a certified public accountant. A California native, Mr. Stripe graduated from Biola University in 1976 with a Bachelor of
Arts degree and earned his Masters of Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton in 1978. He became involved in the resort
industry in 1983 when he accepted a position as chief financial officer for Winners Circle Resorts International, Inc. In 1992 Mr. Stripe and
his business partner, David Brown, formed their own company, Grand Pacific Resorts, which today employs about 1,200 people and manages
the operations of 20 resorts, including Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa, Carlsbad Inn, Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel, and Carlsbad
Seapointe Resort. Mr. Stripe also serves on the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and Azusa Pacific University in Los
Angeles. He and his wife, Janean, and their two daughters, reside in North San Diego County.
STEVE TIPTON
Vice President, Hospitality Group - Simmons Bedding Company
During his tenure with Simmons Bedding Company, Tipton has lead efforts to make Simmons’ hospitality bedding a leader in innovation and
sustainability. Today, all Beautyrest® Pocketed Coil® springs contain recycled steel. Key product introductions under his leadership include the
EverNUTM removable mattress top, which allows hotels to easily replace worn or soiled top upholstery layers. Additionally, many of the fabrics
used in the production of its Advanced Temperature Management designed mattresses are derived from cultivated wood fibers to be partially
sustainable. Under Tipton’s direction, the Simmons Hospitality Group also pioneered the use of sustainable EnduroTECH® foundations made
entirely of wood from sustainable forests. The foundation provides hotels with unmatched durability and reliability and is designed to last a
minimum of 20 years in a hotel room – two to three full lifecycles. It’s also 100 percent recyclable at the end of its useful life. Tipton is a graduate
of the University of Mississippi with a Marketing Degree, He and his family live in Atlanta where he enjoys the outdoors and golf. In addition to hobbies, Tipton
serves on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He and his two sons are Eagle Scouts.
GEOFF TOFFETTI
President - FPG
Geoffrey is driven to help people and organizations achieve things that they themselves often do not believe are possible. He is the force behind
bringing FPG services to large, complex customers to help them capture the potential of their frontline employees. When employees are inspired
and engaged the companies that employ them realize dramatic increases in incremental revenue, employee satisfaction and guest loyalty and
retention. Geoffrey is focused on developing partnerships with full service and luxury hotel companies, theme parks and contact centers. In his role
as President and CMO, he is primarily responsible for strategic relationship development, innovation and solutions design. Geoffrey is a sought
after expert and speaker in employee engagement and incremental revenue strategies. Prior to joining FPG in 2011 he was the Vice President of
Strategic Solutions for ZeroChaos, a business process outsourcer working with numerous Fortune 500 companies in dozens of countries. In that
role Geoffrey was responsible for designing and implementing game-changing technology and process solutions.
CHRISTOPHER TOMPKINS
Chief Operating Officer - B Hotels & Resorts
Christopher Tompkins is an innovative, achieved industry veteran with dynamic experience spanning virtually every segment of the travel,
hospitality, private club, and entertainment industries. As Chief Operating Officer for B Hotels & Resorts / B Hospitality Services, Chris oversees
the Brand Delivery including but not limited to Positioning, Marketing, Programs, Platforms, Communications, and Creative Services. Tompkins
has achieved notable industry and consumer notoriety to market a fresh new lifestyle and self-expression hotel brand that debuted its first property
in January 2011 and now includes B Resort & Spa in the Downtown Disney Resort, the new B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale, and B Historic
Savannah. The company anticipates announcing its next property addition in the coming weeks in yet another highly sought-after, exciting
destination city. Tompkins relaxed persona, style and ability to effectively communicate at industry conferences, and forums including; General
Session Guest Speaker at the esteemed NYU Hospitality Conference in New York City in June 2012, guest speaker at the Lodging Conference in September
2010 and 2011, and at the Boutique Hospitality Lodging Conference in October 2011. Esteemed publications include Travel & Leisure, Elite, Food & Wine, Hotel
Business, Forbes, Harper’s, and numerous other cutting edge publications.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
CHRISTINA TRAUTHWEIN
Editor - Hotel Business and Hotel Business Design
Christina Trauthwein is the Editor of Hotel Business and Hotel Business Design magazines. Previously, she was Editor-in- Chief of professional
publications in the architecture and interior design communities, both commercial and residential. Christina’s 20+ years of brand leadership—in
both print and digital media—has been focused on strategizing, writing and editing features and stories about need-to-know industry topics,
design trends, industry leaders and cutting-edge projects and products.
RAJIV TRIVEDI
Executive Vice President / Chief Development Officer - La Quinta Inns & Suites
Rajiv Trivedi is a senior hotel and franchising executive with 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry who is best known for his active,
dynamic management style. He is responsible for all facets of franchising, including sales, services and administration and also has significant
experience in franchising and development outside the hotel industry, with a number of leading consumer brands. He has spearheaded the growth
of the system to 400 franchised properties in his tenure – an unprecedented growth rate in the hotel industry, and beyond. In November 2000,
Mr. Trivedi joined La Quinta as VP/Franchise Operations, where he was responsible for designing and implementing the company’s franchising
program, managing franchise sales, services, administration and training. He was promoted to Senior Franchise Development Officer in 2004
and, upon the acquisition of La Quinta by an affiliate of the Blackstone Group, was promoted to his current position as Executive Vice President.
In February 2009, he was also named Chief Development Officer. Mr. Trivedi received his Master of Science (Mathematics) from the University of Illinois, Chicago
in 1985 and Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) from the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1983.
DAVID TURLEY
Principal - Cronheim Hotel Capital
David is one of the country’s most successful under-40 mortgage bankers. He’s advised a wide range of clients – from local owner/operators
and family development companies to large institutional investors – on over $2.5B in transactions, including over $1B since 2013. His expertise
lies in hospitality financing. He’s financed hotels across the country and across the asset spectrum: from economy limited service to upper-upscale
full-service resort assets. He combines deep capital markets knowledge and relationships with superior transaction skills and in-depth real estate
knowledge. David started his career at Cronheim Mortgage in 1999 as a real estate analyst but quickly rose the ranks into a production role. He
had a leading role in helping the firm launch its hospitality finance practice in 2004 and then founded Cronheim Hotel Capital (CHC) in 2014
as an operationally independent finance company focused on raising debt and equity for hotel market participants. He now leads CHC’s efforts
while also running a successful generalist mortgage banking practice under Cronheim Mortgage. David lives in New York City with his wife and two children. He
graduated summa cum laude from Asbury College with a B.A. in History.
TYE TURMAN
Senior Vice President, Lodging Development, Select Service & Extended Stay Hotels - Marriott International
Mr. Turman is Senior Vice President Lodging Development, Western Region, for Marriott’s Select Service and Extended Stay Brands. He is located
in San Antonio, Texas. He joined Marriott International in 1986 and has 29 years of service with the company in a wide range of hotel, regional,
and corporate-based positions.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
SIMON M. TURNER
President, Global Development - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Turner is responsible for global development activities including property acquisitions and dispositions, and franchise and management growth.
Previously, Turner was Principal of a hotel investment advisory and asset management firm representing a high net worth Middle East investor
and previously served on the board of directors of Four Seasons Hotels, and Fairmont Raffles Hotels International. Earlier in his career, Turner
held positions at Salomon Brothers, Pannell Kerr Forster, and Gustar Hoteliers. Turner is a Trustee of the Urban Land Institute, is a member of ULI’s
Greenprint Center for Building Performance Advisory Board, is a member of the Real Estate Roundtable, and a member of the Dean’s Advisory
Board of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration.
KIM TWIGGS
Senior Director, Sales - DIRECTV
As a Senior Director of DIRECTV, Kim Twiggs manages the company’s Hospitality & Institutions commercial business unit. In this role, Ms. Twiggs
is responsible for creating and implementing strategies that support the sale of DIRECTV free-to-guest programming and products to hotels and
other commercial institutions, such as hospitals, senior living facilities and universities, across the United States. DIRECTV’s Hospitality & Institutions
business unit is supported by a network of more than 300 in-room television integrator partners, also managed by Ms. Twiggs’ team. These
integrators sell and support a variety of products that deliver DIRECTV programming, including the DIRECTV Residential Experience (DRE) , the
hospitality industry’s fastest growing in-room technology which delivers over 100 channels of HD, a customizable welcome screen, interactive
programming guide, and HBO, SHOWTIME and Starz On Demand content. Previously, Ms. Twiggs oversaw the development and launch of
DIRECTV’s Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) business. Ms. Twiggs has been with DIRECTV since 2006.
BRAD WALTON
Senior Client Engagement Lead - Talent Plus, Inc.
Brad Walton is a Senior Client Engagement Lead with Talent Plus, a human resources consulting and research firm partnering with hospitality
organizations around the world to select, develop and retain highly talented people through the implementation of their pre-hire behavioral
assessment tools and consulting services. Walton serves clients in the United States and Latin America and partners with them on their journey to
become Talent-Based Organizations ®. He is considered an expert in the implementation of technology solutions and human capital processes that
lead to exponential growth in organizations. Through his efforts, Walton has helped companies and individuals worldwide to recognize the value
of the development and retention of the company’s most important assets – its people. A Nebraska Wesleyan University graduate with majors
in international business and Spanish, Walton resides in Bogotá, Colombia where he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Brenda, and
friends, and exploring the South American continent.
HERB WARMBRODT
President - Warmbrodt Hotel Investments
Herb Warmbrodt began his lodging investment career with RHW Companies in the mid-1980s, as Director of Acquisitions for the development
of Residence Inns. In 1993, Mr. Warmbrodt joined a Kansas City based, boutique investment banking firm as a partner specializing in hotel
financing and brokerage; and tax exempt, bond financed assets. He formed WHI in 2003 to provide advisory services solely to the hospitality
industry. Warmbrodt Hotel Investments (“WHI”) is a real estate firm specializing in the disposition, acquisition, financing and debt restructuring
of hospitality related assets throughout the United States. With over $1.5 billion worth of completed transactions, WHI continues to grow. 2012
brought the addition of a second office in Chicago, IL and plans are in place to open a Dallas office in late 2015 to better serve its growing client
base. Future office additions in select locations are being planned for the near future. Mr. Warmbrodt had the honor of being a finalist for the
prestigious Jack A. Shaffer Financial Advisor of the Year 2011 award by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. He was recognized at the ALIS Conference
as one of the most influential hospitality executives in the industry for that year.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
JEFF WEINSTEIN
Editor-in-Chief - HOTELS Magazine / HOTELS’ Investment Outlook
Jeff Weinstein has been Editor-in-Chief of HOTELS magazine since November 1994. In 1996, he created HOTELS’ Investment Outlook, a quarterly
publication for the hotel investment community. He is also responsible for developing HOTELS website, www.hotelsmag.com. Starting in 1986,
Weinstein was Senior Editor for Restaurants & Institutions, which covered all aspects of the foodservice industry in the United States. Weinstein, a
five-time winner of the Jesse H. Neal award, presented by the American Business Press, is a 1979 Journalism graduate of Drake University and
the father of two residing in suburban Chicago.
WES WHITMAN
President - Whitman Peterson
Wes is a Partner and is President at Whitman Peterson. Since the firm’s inception in late 2010, he and his partners have overseen the firm’s
investment in more than 70 transactions, representing more than 100 assets and $4 billion of total capitalization. They have sourced and
structured highly strategic partnerships with some of nation’s strongest companies in their target sectors, including lodging, multifamily, and
senior housing. Over the past 2.5 years, Whitman Peterson has acquired 25+ hotel properties nationally, each of which has involved substantial
renovation or development plans. Prior to joining Whitman Peterson in December 2010, Wes was a Managing Director and Principal, and led
the West Coast, for Greystar, one of the nation’s largest multifamily investment, development and management companies (with $9.5 billion of
assets and 400,000 units under management). Wes graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Finance and received his MBA from
Harvard Business School.
MARK WILLIAMS
Group President, Upscale Brands - Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc.
As Group President of Vantage’s Upscale Brands, Mark Williams oversees development of the Lexington brand offerings as well as Jameson Inns
and 3 Palms Hotels. Williams was director of major markets for G6 Hospitality. The position was created when Blackstone acquired both the
Motel and Studio 6 brands with an objective improve the presence of the brands in the largest US markets. Williams was vice president of North
American Development for Best Western International, for 13 years. In over twenty years at Best Western, Williams has served as the development
ambassador for the brand, helping to bring hundreds of American, Canadian and Caribbean hotels into the Best Western family, with a special
emphasis on new construction and hotels located in primary markets. Williams helped lead the development and launch of Best Western’s
extended stay development prototype in 2013. The hospitality industry veteran has held senior- level positions with Cardinal Lodging Group Inc.
in Columbus, Ohio, and Cleveland-based Economy Lodging Systems Inc. Williams started his career in marketing and operations with Wendy’s International.
Williams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and marketing from The Ohio State University.
PETER M. WILLIS
Chief Investment Officer - Chatham Lodging Trust
As the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT), Mr. Willis brings over 20 years of hotel
acquisition experience. From 2001 to 2006, he served as Vice President of Acquisitions and Business Development for Innkeepers USA Trust and
oversaw over $500 million of investments in 18 hotels. From June 2006 to January 2009, Mr. Willis served as Senior Vice President at The Kor
Group, a privately held, fully integrated real estate investment firm with a portfolio of over $2 billion in upscale hotel and resort investments. Mr.
Willis also held positions with an industry-leading firm supporting the opening of luxury hotels. Establishing the organization’s first international
operation in the Asia/Pacific region in 1994, he directed the repositioning and opening of properties throughout the region and in the United
States. By 2001, Mr. Willis led overall strategic planning, business development and investor relations, as well as integrating acquisitions among
the firm’s operating entities. Mr. Willis began as an analyst and asset manager of hotel, residential and commercial properties for Japanese investment firm JDC
America in Tokyo and in the United States. Mr. Willis received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida in 1989 and has
completed professional programs at Cornell University’s Hotel School and Obirin University in Tokyo.
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
DAVE WINKLER
Vice President & Director Western Regional Operations - The Allied Group
David Winkler is an accomplished construction industry expert with over 30 years of experience. His background includes renovation, conversion,
new construction, due diligence / (PIP) and development services spanning across all leading hospitality brands as well as boutique hotels
and high-end restaurants. David began his career in the hospitality industry as a National Director of Engineering for Marriott and Hilton
Franchised Hotels. He applied his MEP knowledge to implement preventative maintenance, energy savings, and sustainable material programs
for commercial assets. He then turned his focus to construction and development services where he was responsible for overseeing the delivery of
thousands of guestrooms and private residence units as well as millions of square feet of public space. Through the years, David has worked as
an owner’s representative and general contractor for hospitality groups, development groups and professional firms. David Winkler joined The
Allied Group in January 2013 as Vice President and Director of the Western Regional office. He serves as the primary point of contact for customer relations and
is also responsible for generating new business in the western region.
MARK WOODWORTH
Senior Managing Director - PKF Hospitality Research, LLC, a CBRE Company
Mark Woodworth has over 35 years of hospitality industry advisory experience and is based in Atlanta and is responsible for PKF-HR’s national
practice. Before forming PKF-HR in 1999, Mr. Woodworth was a Partner and Industry Chairman of the Hospitality Industry Consulting practice
for Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. Mr. Woodworth has been quoted on hospitality issues in such noted publications as The Wall Street Journal, The
New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Barron’s, USA Today, The Financial Times and numerous industry publications.
Furthermore, Mr. Woodworth is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and is a Dean’s Distinguished Lecturer at Cornell University and is a
member of the Conference of Business Economists. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Finance
Committee of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and advises the Georgia Hospitality & Lodging Association. He also recently completed
a three-year term on the Board of Advisors for the Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University. He holds both a B.S. and Master’s Degree in Hotel
Administration from Cornell. Mark and his wife Mary Kay, the parents of Harry, Will, Sam and Savannah, reside in Atlanta.
LENNY WORMSER
Senior Managing Director, Hospitality Division - NAI/Latter & Blum
Leonard Vance Wormser is the Senior Managing Director of the Hospitality Division of NAI/Latter&Blum. He is responsible for the identification,
underwriting, disposition and development of lodging properties for the company. Since the launch of the Hospitality Division in 2010, he has
sold and developed over 5,000 rooms with an approximate transaction value of $1 billion in the New Orleans and Southeast lodging markets.
Currently, Mr. Wormser is developing one of the first Moxy by Marriott hotels and is involved, together with NAI/Latter & Blum Chairman Bob
Merrick/Carpenter and Company, in the development of the Four Seasons Resort in the World Trade Center in New Orleans, La. In March and
August 2015, Mr. Wormser traveled to Havana, Cuba; and hence has become one of the most knowledgeable American based Investment
Advisors with respect to this lodging market. Previously, Mr. Wormser was President of Sizeler Properties (NYSE (SIZ) Taxable REIT subsidiary, until
its merger with Toronto based Revenue Properties (RPC) and Morguard Corporation (MRC). Prior to his involvement with Sizeler, Mr. Wormser was Vice President
of acquisitions and development with Stewart Enterprises (NASDAQ; SEI). Mr Wormser graduated from the University of Texas in Austin McCombs School of
Business and has served on the Tulane University Health Sciences Board of Governors, President of the Young Leadership Council, and Board of Directors of the
Bureau of Governmental Research. A Lemann Stern leadership fellow, Mr Wormser is married and has three children.
JON WRIGHT
President & CEO - Access Point Financial
Jon Wright, a 25-plus year veteran of commercial real estate and hospitality finance, began his career with Ford Motor Credit’s CRE and ABS
division. He joined Holiday Inn Worldwide (today known as InterContinental Hotels Group, “IHG”) managing the company’s finance subsidiary
and strategically facilitated franchisee growth and quality across all IHG brands via senior and sub debt origination and syndication. In 1997,
General Motors recruited Wright to form GMAC Commercial Mortgage – Asset Backed Lending Division. Under his leadership, the enterprise
grew to more than $4 billion of hospitality loans, either owned or serviced, for third-party investors with the division’s securitizations rated AA
by Moody’s & Fitch. Prior to forming Access Point Financial, Inc., Wright was President & Managing Director of Specialty Finance Group (SFG),
which originated and had under management $1.8 billion in assets during a four-year cycle. Wright is a member of the Center for Hospitality
Research (CHR), Center for Real Estate and Finance (CREF) at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Mortgage Bankers Association, American Hotel & Lodging
Association, Metro Atlanta Chamber, ICSC, IHG Owners Association, the Association of Starwood Franchisees and Owners of North America (ASFONA). Jon
Wright holds a BA from the University of Arkansas.
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