Highgate names new president

NEW YORK CITY – New York City-based owner-operator Highgate has named former Peregrine Hospitality chief operating officer Pete Sams as its new president to focus on optimizing business performance and expand opportunities for associates.

Sams will oversee enterprise-wide performance across Highgate’s portfolio of 500 properties while trying to strengthen the company’s focus on its people-first culture. Working closely with Highgate’s Principals, including Principal and CEO Arash Azarbarzin, and discipline leaders, Sams will try to harness the company’s scale, leveraging its capabilities across systems, talent, procurement, and market intelligence to deliver meaningful value for owners and partners.

Highgate said Sams’ arrival will enhance organizational agility and ensure high-fidelity execution across the portfolio while contributing to its culture of innovation.

Before Peregrine, Sams served as COO of Davidson Hospitality Group, where he oversaw a portfolio of more than 85 properties and guided the organization through significant growth.

Earlier in his career, Sams served as executive vice president, Full-Service Operations at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, regional vice president at White Lodging Services, as well as nearly two decades with Omni Hotels, where he grew to serve numerous key leadership positions including general manager and area director of finance.

“Pete brings an extraordinary track record of unlocking performance, energizing teams, and delivering sustained results across complex portfolios, “said Mahmood Khimji, Highgate co-chairman and managing principal. “His dynamic leadership and deep operational expertise will be a catalyst to sharpen our strategic focus, accelerate growth, and elevate the value we deliver to our owners and partners around the world.” 

“I am honored to step into the role of president of the premier operator in our space,” said Sams. “Highgate’s mission to build a future-ready organization anchored in operational excellence, guided by strategic foresight, and driven by a relentless focus on value creation is deeply inspiring. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience to this dynamic team. Together with our stakeholders, we will enhance Highgate’s role as an industry leader in innovation and trusted partnership.”