Zach Demuth currently serves as the Head of Strategic Growth and Asset Management at Eight Form where he is responsible for optimizing the company’s owned assets and spearheading the growth of the group’s third-management platform. Prior to joining Eight Form, Mr. Demuth worked for JLL, where he served as Global Head of Hotels Research, advising many of the world’s largest hotel investors on strategic capital allocation. Before that, Mr. Demuth spent over a decade at Marriott International where he specialized in revenue management for their luxury portfolio (Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION, and W Hotels). He is considered a thought-leader in the hospitality industry and is often quoted as a subject matter expert in industry publications and the broader media. Mr. Demuth holds a Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Boston University. He is a member of the Cornell Hotel Society, a board member on the Real Estate Council at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, and an advisor to Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research.

John is primarily responsible for identifying, evaluating and executing

development investments including land identification, pre-

development, joint-venture and structured equity opportunities. He

oversees opportunities throughout the investment process, from

sourcing and underwriting through structuring, due diligence and

closing, while working closely with partners and internal teams to

evaluate risk, project feasibility and investment returns. John also

serves as a Portfolio Leader on Peachtree Special Situations Fund I, LP.

Prior to joining Peachtree Group, John served as Vice President at IHG

Hotels and Resorts and has held roles at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Loews Hotels and Marriott

International.

John graduated from the University of South Carolina and has an MBA from Emory University’s

Goizueta School of Business, where he was awarded the Roberto C. Goizueta Award for

Leadership. He serves as a Co-Chair for the Emory Goizueta Real Estate Conference and is a

member of the Capital Markets Council for the Urban Land Institute and is a member of the Urban

Land Institute Center for Leadership Class of 2027.

Rick Fidel is Regional Vice President and General Manager of The Knox, Auberge Collection, the highly anticipated luxury hotel opening in Dallas. A hospitality executive with more than two decades of experience, Fidel has built his career leading some of the country’s most distinguished luxury hotels and resorts, with a focus on exceptional service, thoughtful leadership and creating properties that become deeply connected to their communities.

Prior to joining Auberge Collection, Fidel served as Managing Director of Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito, California. A key member of the resort’s original opening team, he helped debut the property in 2019 before being named Managing Director in 2021. Under his leadership, Rosewood Miramar Beach established itself as one of the country’s leading luxury resorts, recognized for its five-star service, exceptional guest experience and world-class culinary and wellness offerings.

Fidel’s career also includes leadership roles with W Hotels, The St. Regis Atlanta, Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas, Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore and Stowe Mountain Lodge. He began his hospitality career with Capella Hotel Group after earning a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Auburn University.

Now returning to Texas, where his family has longstanding roots, Fidel is leading The Knox through its pre-opening and launch while shaping the hotel’s culture, service philosophy and connection to the Dallas community. In his broader role as Regional Vice President for Auberge Collection, he brings more than 20 years of luxury hospitality experience and a leadership philosophy centered on people, service and creating one-of-a-kind guest experiences.