Here’s a roundup of the top hotel executive moves of the past week.
Here is a compilation of the
most important executive moves of the past week in the hotel investment world
alphabetically (by company):
Highside adds three executives. Denver-based
Highside Companies has added several new leadership roles, including Phil
Joseph as CFO, Jennette Roberts as general counsel and head of
human resources, and Jason Fox as vice president of development. Joseph has
more than 25 years of real estate experience, having served as global treasurer
for Prologis and CFO for Spirit Realty Capital. Robbins has more than 20 years
of legal and in-house experience, and Fox has almost 20 years of construction
and development experience.
Hotel Equities promotes two. Atlanta-based Hotel
Equities has promoted two executives in finance and accounting. Hyangsoon Ha
has been promoted to VP of finance and accounting and Suzanne Heller has been
promoted to VP of accounting. Ha joined HE in 2020 and has been integral in
developing and implementing strategic finance procedures. Heller has 13 years
of experience in real estate and hotel management.
Meyer Jabara adds chief investment officer. Danbury,
Connecticut-based Meyer Jabara Hotels has named Ian McAuley its newly created
chief investment officer. He has 30 years of real estate and hotel experience.
Previously, McAuley worked at VM Hotel Acquisition Corp., Aimbridge, American
Hotel Income Properties REIT LP, Superior Lodging Corp., Royop Hospitality Corp. and InnVentures Hospitality Corp.
CEO exits at Jumeirah. Jumeirah Group CEO
Katerina Giannouka has stepped down just a little over a year since taking over
to further grow the Dubai-based operator. She took over in December 2022 after
working as president of Asia Pacific for Radisson Hotel Group. Currently, the
Jumeirah Group operates 26 properties across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
Lodging Dynamics names VP. Provo, Utah-based
Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group has named Kathleen Bates as its vice president of
operations. Bates has more than 25 years of hospitality experience in the
hospitality industry and previously worked for Marriott and Hilton.
Starwood Capital Group names president. Miami Beach,
Florida-based Starwood Capital Group has named Jonathan Pollack as president,
starting in 2025. Pollack is currently the global head of Blackstone Real
Estate Credit and head of its structured finance group. Before joining
Blackstone in 2015, Pollack worked at Deutsche Bank.
The Lux Collective adds EMEA development officer. Singapore-based
The Lux Collective has named Oliviero Cassini as chief development officer for
EMEA. Cassini has more than 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality and
was previously director of development at Saudi Arabia-based Red Sea Global and
held senior roles in the UAE, Qatar and Europe.