Goodbye Foreign Investment, Hello Finance Frenzy: Exploring Today's Top Sellers, Buyers, and Acquisition Trends

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  Cyrus Vazifdar

  Managing Director

  Hodges Ward Elliott

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  Greg Friedman

  Since co-founding Peachtree Group in 2007, Greg has successfully overseen investments exceeding $11.0 billion in commercial real estate and various other enterprises. With over 25 years of experience, he brings extensive experience in credit and equity investing, particularly in hotels and other commercial real estate assets. Previously, Greg served as senior vice president of business development for Specialty Finance Group, where he originated more than $2.0 billion of credit transactions. Before that, Greg was vice president of business development for GMAC Commercial Mortgage Asset-Backed Lending Division. During his six-year tenure, he originated, closed and funded more than 300 hospitality FF&E financing transactions with an aggregate capital structure exceeding $10.0 billion. Greg is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and is a board member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. He also serves on the real estate fund advisory board for the Texas McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

  Peachtree Group

  CEO & Managing Principal

  Greg Friedman

  CEO & Managing Principal

  Peachtree Group

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  Ben Brunt

  Mr. Brunt is a principal and chief investment officer responsible for leading a team of investment professionals to accomplish Noble’s strategic acquisition and development goals. This involves the sourcing and underwriting of all new investments encompassing individual asset and portfolio acquisitions, land and new development opportunities, market and investment analysis, and brand positioning. Prior to joining Noble in 2005, Mr. Brunt held senior investment roles at Songy Partners and Hardin Capital. He began his career in hotels with Homestead Village, a mid-scale extended stay lodging brand founded by Security Capital Group, and has nearly 25 years of hospitality industry experience. Mr. Brunt earned an MBA from Southern Methodist University and a BA from Trinity College. He is a former professional violinist and spent two years as a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Brunt currently serves as a board member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Midtown Alliance, and the Buckhead Coalition. He is also a member of the AHLA Lodging Investment Council and a member of the Urban Land Institute.

  Noble Investment Group

  CIO & Managing Principal

  Ben Brunt

  CIO & Managing Principal

  Noble Investment Group

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  Charles Lathem

  Chuck Lathem, equity owner and Managing Director, is the head of Clarion Partners’ Hospitality Investments Group. He is responsible for the oversight of the firm’s portfolio of investments in the hospitality sector; and also managing relationships with hotel operators and partners. During the course of his career, he has completed the acquisition and/or development of hotels totaling more than $3.5 billion, including $1.5 billion since joining Clarion Partners. His prior real estate investment management experience includes managing and restructuring the Teacher Retirement System of Texas’ $2 billion real estate portfolio. Chuck joined Clarion Partners in 2006 and began his career in the real estate industry in 1981. He is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association and the Hospitality Asset Managers Association.

  Clarion Partners

  MD & Head of Hospitality Investments

  Charles Lathem

  MD & Head of Hospitality Investments

  Clarion Partners

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  Daniel Lesser

  Daniel H. Lesser brings more than 30 years of expertise in a wide range of hospitality operational, investment counseling, valuation, advisory, and transactional services. He provides services to corporate, institutional, and individual clients as well as public agencies on all facets of hospitality real estate including: litigation support and expert testimony, site evaluation, highest and best use analysis, appraisals for mortgage, acquisition, and portfolio management, workout strategies, operational analysis, property tax assessment appeal evaluations, economic impact studies, deal structuring, and fairness opinions. Mr. Lesser is a leading authority on hotel feasibility and valuation, and is highly sought after to speak at lodging and real estate events, as well as lectures at prestigious institutions of higher education, including Cornell University, Columbia University and New York University. He is widely published and quoted, and serves as a quarterly columnist for HotelNewsNow.com and GlobeSt.com. Most recently, Mr. Lesser created and served as the Senior Managing Director - Industry Leader of the Hospitality & Gaming Valuation Advisory Services Group at CB Richard Ellis Hotels (CBRE). Prior to joining CBRE, Mr. Lesser founded and led the Hospitality & Gaming Group at Cushman & Wakefield and was a founding member of the team at HVS International. Mr. Lesser has also held operational and administrative positions with Hilton Hotels Corporation and Eurotels - Switzerland. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University, and also attended the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland and Baruch College - City University of New York. Mr. Lesser holds the following professional designations: MAI (Member of the Appraisal Institute), FRICS (Fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), CRE (Counselor of Real Estate), and CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator). Mr. Lesser is a member of and has served on numerous committees for the Counselors of Real Estate, the Appraisal Institute, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Board of Directors of the New York City Chapter of the Cornell Hotel Society. He is a former Advisory Board member and member of the Fundraising Subcommittee for the New York University Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. Mr. Lesser is a founding member of the Lodging Industry Investment Council (LIIC), the hotel industry “think tank.” Furthermore, Mr. Lesser served as an Honorary Committee Member of the annual UJA - Federation New York Hotel & Hospitality Division Dinner, and is a member of the AIPAC Real Estate Division.

  LW Hospitality Advisors

  Co-Founder, President & CEO

  Daniel Lesser

  Co-Founder, President & CEO

  LW Hospitality Advisors

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  Harvey Goodman

  Harvey M. Goodman is a nationally recognized public adjuster with extensive experience in adjusting first-party property insurance claims. He has assisted numerous industries including construction, education, health, hospitality, manufacturing, non-profits, real estate, retail, transportation, and warehousing with claims ranging from builders risk to collapse, fire, wind, and water damage. With over 35 years of experience in property insurance, Harvey has been involved with numerous insurance claims including: Four New York Plaza/Edge Funds, Beaulieu of America, Coakley & Williams Construction, Dulles Jet Center, Durst Organization/One Bryant Park, Eagle Bank, Federal Realty Investment Trust, Foulger-Pratt Companies, Howard Hughes Corporation, LaSalle Hotels, Macklowe Properties/510 Madison, MedStar Health, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, Ronald D. Paul Management, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, TAMKO Building Products, Union Station Investco/Ashkenazy Acquisition, Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, Urban Outfitters and York International. Mr. Goodman leads the firm’s senior management, adjusts complex claims and initiates and manages relationships with new clients throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe. Additionally, Harvey writes and lectures on builders risk, collapse coverage, catastrophic claim adjusting, gaps in insurance coverage and other topics.

  Goodman Gable Gould

  President & CEO

  Moderator

  Harvey Goodman

  President & CEO

  Goodman Gable Gould

The Long-Term Decisions: New Operations and Management Trends

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  Ben Cadwell

  Ben Cadwell is Chief Operating Officer, North & Central America for world leading hospitality group Accor, whose portfolio comprises more than 40 internationally acclaimed brands, including Fairmont, Raffles, Sofitel, MGallery, Pullman, Swissôtel, Novotel and ibis. Based in New York City, Ben oversees Accor’s portfolio of hotels in the United States, where the Group continues to strengthen its position as the second largest luxury operator. He plays a critical role in powering the continued growth and development of the Group and its brands across the region by driving operational performance and excellence, cultivating strong relationships with key partners, and building long-term value for owners. Ben’s most recent position was Executive Vice President, Asset and Investment Management for Kingdom Hotel Investments, one of the world’s most diversified hotel investment platforms. During his 16-year tenure with Kingdom, he was involved in transactional and asset management for over 20 luxury hotel investments in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, as well as Kingdom’s trophy hospitality investment portfolio which included the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and The Savoy in London. He played a key role in the $3.3 billion sale of Fairmont Raffles Hotels International and $600 million sale of Movenpick Hotels, both to Accor. Prior to joining the Kingdom organization, Ben was an associate with Ernst & Young LLP’s Transaction Real Estate practice in New York City. He received a Bachelor of Science degree with Distinction in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and serves on the Cornell University Council. About Accor Accor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industry’s most diverse and fully- integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale and economy hotel brands, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor’s unmatched position in lifestyle hospitality – one of the fastest growing categories in the industry – is led by Ennismore, a creative hospitality company with a global portfolio of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Accor boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and approximately 260,000 team members worldwide. 68 million members benefit from the company’s comprehensive loyalty program – ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a daily lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its Planet 21 – Acting Here, Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the Group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com, or follow Accor on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

  Accor

  COO

  Ben Cadwell

  COO

  Accor

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  Mark Valliere

  Mark is a Principal at Smallwood, an international design firm that provides architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and experiential graphic design services. For over 35 years, Mark has successfully designed and managed projects in the Multifamily, Hospitality, Mixed-use, Office, Retail and Institutional sectors. He has a strong focus on Multifamily and Hospitality projects and through design creates memorable experiences for residents and guests. In Nashville, Mark was involved in the design of the SkyHouse, Viridian and Encore residential projects, as well as the JW Marriott hotel. Recent Multifamily projects of his include Vireo in Atlanta, and Icon Harbour Island in Tampa Bay. Mark also designed the Thompson Savannah and The Cherokee, Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel. Mark holds an Undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a Graduate degree from Rice University.

  Smallwood

  Principal

  Mark Valliere

  Principal

  Smallwood

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  Paul Sacco

  As Mint House’s CDO since May 2021, Paul oversees the company’s global growth and development. Paul has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and real estate industry. Before joining Mint House, Paul led North America Development as SVP for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Previously, he held additional leadership positions for private owner-operators, including President and Chief Development Officer for TPG Hotels and Resorts and other notable hospitality firms. Mint House is a premium residential hospitality operator in the short-term rental category. With over 24 assets in 14 markets and growing across the U.S., Mint House partners with real estate owners to operate full-building hospitality projects, as well as operating contiguous floors within high-end, multifamily buildings. Mint House serves the rapidly growing traveler demand for upper-tier apartment style accommodations, from business transient stays to 30-day plus stay

  Mint House

  Chief Growth & Development Officer

  Paul Sacco

  Chief Growth & Development Officer

  Mint House

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  Megan Luce

  Megan Luce joined Michael Graves in 2007 and leads the Interior Design studio, She has 20 years of experience designing interiors for hotels, spas, restaurants, residences and workplaces. She has experience with both LEED and WELL Building Institute design principles, and regularly works alongside the architects during the design phases to guide interior layouts and sequences, and the relationship between indoors and outdoors. Megan designs user experiences that capture our clients’ aspirations and brand promises. She finds stories and themes in the context and history of the site and the brand promises of the owners and operators. She creates a lively variety of settings and moods through form, materials, color, and furnishings, whether referential to the past, contemporary, or futuristic. An active collaborator with the 3D visualization team at Michael Graves, she brings projects to life before they are built, immersing clients in the vision of their future spaces. She was the Lead Interior Designer for three hotels, an ESPA spa and 14 restaurants at Resorts World Sentosa, and recently completed a hip new restaurant in Morristown, New Jersey. Hospitality and residential mixed-use projects include 51 Degrees Spa Hotel and Residences in Switzerland and the St. Regis Cairo at Nile Corniche, both of which were named best hotel interiors in the world by International Property Awards. She has recently been involved in both renovation and new construction of multi-family residential projects.

  Michael Graves

  Senior Director, Interior Design

  Megan Luce

  Senior Director, Interior Design

  Michael Graves

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  David Duncan

  David is the President and CEO of First Hospitality, based in Chicago. He has over 25 years of global operating experience in managing high performing teams and in executive roles in both private and publicly held organizations. He coordinated over $10 billion of real estate and capital market transactions across multiple geographies and currencies. His experience ranges from fee-simple equity transactions to mortgage and mezzanine lending and complex joint venture and structured transactions. David began his career in public accounting, consulting, and financial institutions before he found his true passion in the hotel and travel space. He has been immersed in the lodging investment and operating space for more than 20 years now. He especially enjoys harmonizing the right capital structure with the right real estate, branding, and operational solutions to optimize investor returns in lodging, and related investments. His formative institutional experience was with GE Capital Real Estate, Guggenheim Partners, and Ernst & Young, LLC [in Los Angeles, Boston, Stamford CT, and New York]. Before joining First Hospitality, David served in executive roles at JC Resorts in La Jolla, CA and Denihan Hospitality in New York City. David received his B.A. from Western Michigan University, located in his hometown of Kalamazoo, MI. He was an adjunct professor in the Carroll School of Management, Boston College.

  First Hospitality

  President & CEO

  Moderator

  David Duncan

  President & CEO

  First Hospitality

Construction, Development, and Site Selection Considerations

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  Alex Moeckel

  Alex Moeckel is the Regional Vice President of Luxury & Lifestyle Development for IHG Hotels & Resorts based in Washington, D.C. IHG is one of the world’s leading hotel companies offering 19 hotel brands across more than 100 countries within their portfolio. Mr. Moeckel oversees the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions where he is responsible for leading all aspects of the hotel development process for IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle Brands. Prior to his current position, Mr. Moeckel was Director of Development for the Mid-Atlantic Region where he was responsible for development growth of IHG’s selective service and extended stay portfolio. Mr. Moeckel first joined IHG 11-years ago as a Development Manager for North America and Latin America, based out of the Atlanta office. In this role, he facilitated and supported IHG-branded real estate development projects totaling over $3B; notably including the 900-room InterContinental Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, the 400-room InterContinental Hotel in San Diego, and the 350-room Hotel Indigo Downtown Los Angeles. Before joining IHG, Mr. Moeckel served as Director of Development for Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) in New York City, overseeing development and growth initiatives for a portfolio of some of the world’s finest small, independent, luxury hotels. Prior to his time at SLH, Alex worked as an investment analyst on the Hotel Team at Eastdil Secured’s New York City office, a leading real estate investment bank and commercial real estate advisory firm. He began his career in the hospitality industry as a summer intern at the Four Seasons Resort Maui. Mr. Moeckel graduated from University of Delaware’s Hotel School and currently serves on the Advisory Board of University of Delaware's Hospitality & Sport Business Management School.

  IHG Hotels & Resorts

  Regional VP, Luxury & Lifestyle Development

  Alex Moeckel

  Regional VP, Luxury & Lifestyle Development

  IHG Hotels & Resorts

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  Corry Oakes

  Corry Oakes is a Founding Partner, the President and Chief Executive Officer of OTO Development. He serves on the Franchise Advisory Council for Hyatt Place by Hyatt and is the President for the AC by Marriott Advisory Council. Mr. Oakes was previously the Chief Operating Officer and President of Extended Stay America, Inc, a NYSE listed lodging chain with 475 locations, representing three national brands in 42 states. Extended Stay America, Inc. was the fastest growing owner-operated hotel chain in lodging history prior to selling to Blackstone in 2004 for over $3.1 billion dollars. Mr. Oakes had responsibility for all aspects of the development and operation of the company.

  OTO Development

  CEO & Co-Founder

  Corry Oakes

  CEO & Co-Founder

  OTO Development

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  Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet

  Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet is a culture cultivator with a unique ability to breathe narrative into any design, giving voice to community, people and places. With her diverse art and culturally-rich background as well as her multidisciplinary design experience, she is a multifaceted design professional who can help partners address any project challenge. Sequoyah has a Bachelors of Art in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College—where she studied art, literature and anthropology—as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Moore College of Art + Design. She is the first Native American to graduate from Moore’s MFA program and one of the only Native American’s in the country to hold a MFA in Interior Design. Boutique Magazine recognized her as a 2020 Boutique 18—a rising star in hospitality design. As a designer, she has range—a range that comes from an appreciation of various cultures and histories. She can design a classical interior with the same ease as an austere modern one because she values the experience of designing from a reference rooted in something bigger. For Sequoyah, every style and aesthetic have meaning and purpose—not one greater than the other. While she relishes the opportunity to push people to think out of the box, she takes an honest, level-headed approach to teamwork and leads with kindness and respect. She helps teams effectively communicate to resolve disagreements and make decisions—she keeps projects moving forward. She is an agent of change who is passionate about advocacy and providing quality design for underrepresented communities. Sequoyah’s design process balances the beauty of art and materiality with functional solutions. She is passionate about championing diversity within the design profession and providing all people access to interior design through design equity. Sequoyah is determined to design for real people with real world problems and uplift them through elevated spaces.

  Determined by Design

  Vice President

  Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet

  Vice President

  Determined by Design

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  Eric Zuena

  Eric is the founding Principal of ZDS and a lead contributor to the firm’s continuing success. He carries over two decades of project management experience in the hospitality industry. Eric’s keen ability to direct his staff of talented architects and designers through the successful completion of all of the firm’s projects produces outstanding results for the assignments in which the firm is engaged. Eric is impassioned with providing stellar design solutions that are lucrative for the entire project team. His hands-on, learned and enthusiastic approach from the onset of a project instills a perpetual forward motion, affording immediate results. Eric has led the design and project management of numerous luxury hotels and mixed use properties through the United States, Middle East, China, and Southeast Asia. Some of his greatest works include luxury hotels for clients and major operators in India, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh. His veteran work experience in both the domestic and international markets equip him with the ability to foresee a myriad of practical and innovative design and business solutions. A strong business sense paired with his innate design talent makes certain for solid project success. After 15 years as a Principal, Director of Operations, and Lead Project Manager at his previous firm, Eric pivoted his focus to building his firm that threads those international experiences into the more regionalized fabric of the United States. Eric’s daily quest for a successful balance between creative thinking, exceptional design, and efficient execution, reinforces his passion for the design industry and his persistent desire to provide his clients with profitable and successful properties. Eric is a mentor for young architects and designers in the industry. Eric frequents universities offering his skillful knowledge in portfolio reviews and is a champion of ensuring an optimistic future for the next generation of architects and designers. He received his B.Arch from Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. He is licensed to practice architecture in multiple states, is NCARB certified, and is LEED accredited. Eric also served as Past President on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Rhode Island Board of Directors in 2018/19. He was born and still a proud resident of the State of Rhode Island.

  ZDS

  Managing Principal

  Eric Zuena

  Managing Principal

  ZDS

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  Amy Montgomery

  American Bath Group, Inc. appointed Amy Montgomery as its National Director of Hospitality in April 2025. With more than three decades of experience accelerating business development and forging strategic partnerships across the hospitality, multifamily, healthcare, and education sectors, Amy brings a rare combination of industry depth, commercial acumen, and a powerful national network. She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, with minors in economics. This educational foundation has strengthened her ability to blend analytical rigor with practical, market-driven strategy. Amy has built a national reputation for aligning design intent with brand standards, navigating complex project environments, and serving as a trusted advisor to major hotel flags, architecture and design firms, ownership groups, and construction partners. In her role at American Bath Group, Amy leads the company’s national hospitality strategy, focusing on brand specifications, design-firm engagement, product positioning, and strengthening long-term relationships with developers and ownership groups. Her mandate is clear: expand ABG’s influence nationwide and help secure the company’s position as the basis of design for new builds, renovations, and brand conversions across the hospitality sector. “A company’s success is shaped by how well it listens to the market,” says Montgomery. “ABG Hospitality’s commitment to innovation, speed, and client success aligns perfectly with my passion for enhancing the guest experience while helping developers, designers, and hotel brands drive value.” Recognized as a super-connector and strategic operator, Amy is known for her ability to build high-performing teams, open doors with purpose, and fuel sustainable growth through collaboration, clarity, and forward-thinking execution. Her leadership underscores ABG Hospitality’s growing commitment to elevating product innovation and strengthening its footprint in the commercial hospitality market. About American Bath Group American Bath Group is a leading manufacturer of bathware for the hospitality, multifamily, and residential sectors. Through innovation, quality, and trusted partnerships, ABG Hospitality delivers bath solutions that meet the demands of modern design, accelerate construction timelines, and elevate the guest experience.

  ABG Hospitality

  National Director of Hospitality

  Moderator

  Amy Montgomery

  National Director of Hospitality

  ABG Hospitality

Hospitality Executive Outlook: Applying National Trends to the Nation's Capital

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  Marissa Ballan

  Marissa Ballan is Vice President, Global Investment Management at citizenM Hotels where she oversees an investment portfolio of 25 operational hotels across Europe and North America, with that number set to reach 30 by the end of 2022. She has spent more than 15 years in real estate investments, including more than a decade focused on hospitality acquisitions and asset management. Prior to joining citizenM in 2018, Marissa worked in real estate investment management at Starwood Hotels and Resorts and investment banking at JPMorgan. She graduated from Barnard College with a BA in Economics, has an MA in Economics from NYU, and an MBA in Real Estate and Management from The Wharton School.

  citizenM Hotels

  VP, Global Investment Management

  Marissa Ballan

  VP, Global Investment Management

  citizenM Hotels

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  Kevin Davis

  Mr. Davis is the Americas Chief Executive Officer in JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group in New York, where he is responsible for raising debt and equity capital for hotel owners and is one of the leaders of the Hotel Investment Banking group. In this role, Mr. Davis works closely with the lending community, including banks, life insurance companies, debt funds, mezzanine providers and CMBS lenders, as well as institutional owners of commercial real estate. Since joining JLL in 2013, Mr. Davis has been involved in almost $20 billion of financings which include ground-up construction projects, value-add/transitional assets and stabilized properties. Notable transactions include the financing of the JW Marriott Essex House, the Standard High Line, the One Hotel Central Park, Loews Regency San Francisco and the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas. Representative clients include ADIA, Ashford Hospitality, Barings, Blackstone Group, Highgate Hotels, Rockpoint Group, Starwood Capital and Walton Street Capital, among others. In 2020, Mr. Davis was named the Jack A. Shaffer Financial Advisor of the Year. Positions Prior to joining JLL, Mr. Davis spent almost a decade as a lender at Merrill Lynch and UBS, where he was involved in sourcing and executing over $7 billion of first mortgage and mezzanine financings for securitization and balance sheet. In this role, Mr. Davis was actively involved in loan origination, loan structuring and closing. Mr. Davis also spent three years as a partner and co-founder of FundCore Finance, a high yield lending platform that made opportunistic investments following the financial crisis. Previously, Mr. Davis worked as an attorney in Washington, D.C., where he covered banking and securities policy issues for members of the House and Senate Banking Committees. Education and Affiliations Mr. Davis holds a B.A. with Honors in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

  JLL

  CEO, Americas Hotel & Hospitality Group

  Kevin Davis

  CEO, Americas Hotel & Hospitality Group

  JLL

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  Rob Palleschi

  Rob Palleschi is the Chief Executive Officer of G6 Hospitality, the parent company of the iconic brands Motel 6 and Studio 6. Rob joined G6 Hospitality in February 2017 as the new Chief Development Officer. In this role, Rob was responsible for leading the strategic growth of the enterprise’s franchise development group, driving forward business partnerships, and identifying ways to best leverage the company’s successful domestic platform with international growth. He successfully led G6 through year-over-year growth within franchising and also expansion into India. A seasoned leader with more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality and food & beverage industries, Rob has a proven track record of successfully developing and executing global strategies that focused on revenue growth, product quality and guest experience. Prior to G6 Hospitality, Rob served as the Chief Executive Officer of TGI Fridays and spent 12 years at Hilton Worldwide as global head of full-service brands where he was responsible for global growth and brand performance for Hilton, DoubleTree, and Curio by Hilton brands. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Rob is actively involved in key industry organizations, including AAHOA and AHLA.

  G6 Hospitality

  CEO

  Rob Palleschi

  CEO

  G6 Hospitality

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  Dave Pollin

  Dave Pollin is the Co-Founder and President of The Buccini/Pollin Group (“BPG”), co- headquartered in Washington, DC and Wilmington, DE. He also serves as Chairman of PM Hotel Group, the hotel management affiliate of BPG. Mr. Pollin leads the firms’ hotel acquisition, development and capital markets efforts. The Buccini/Pollin Group has acquired and developed over $5 billion of properties in every real estate asset class throughout the United States since its founding in 1993. BPG is the developer, owner and operator of over 50 hotels, seven million square feet of office space, 15 major residential communities, numerous retail properties, and multiple sports/entertainment venues. Among BPG’s affiliates, PM Hotel Group manages 60+ hotels and over $600mm of managed revenue, ranking it as the 15th largest independent hotel management company in the US (pmhotegroup.com). BPGS Construction has 60+ associates focused on general contracting, tenant improvements and owner representation services (bpgsconstruction.com). BPG 360 develops and manages office projects for BPG (bpg360.com), while Reside BPG oversees the company’s multi-family residential efforts (residebpg.com). Corten Real Estate Partners was formed in 2018 to be BPG’s discretionary fund vehicle and has several investments closed or in the pipeline. The principals of BPG are also co-founders and owners of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, having developed and constructed Talen Energy Stadium, the team’s home field in Chester, Pennsylvania. Mr. Pollin’s current affiliations include: Cornell University School of Hotel Administration’s Dean’s Advisory Board; Cornell University Council; Vice President of the Economic Club of Washington; Trustee of the Federal City Council; Trustee of The Holton Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland; Canopy by Hilton’s Owner Advisory Council; Education Chair of YPO Gold US Capital Chapter; and Founding Board Member of Founders Bank in Washington, DC. In years past, Mr. Pollin served on the Monument Bank (now Revere Bank) Board of Directors; Starwood Hotels & Resorts North American Owner’s Advisory Council; Owner Advisory Council of Hilton’s Embassy Suites brand; Co-Founder and President of the Board of Starlight Children’s Foundation MidAtlantic; and Regional Chair of the Northeast US Region of the Young Presidents Organization. Prior to co- founding The Buccini/Pollin Group and PM Hotel Group, Mr. Pollin was a consultant with Laventhol & Horwath and worked in operations with Westin and Sheraton. David Pollin graduated from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

  The Buccini/Pollin Group

  Co-Founder

  Dave Pollin

  Co-Founder

  The Buccini/Pollin Group

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  Rob Kline

  Robert D. Kline '84 is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Chartres Lodging Group, LLC, a private equity investment firm he formed in 2002; and is Co-Founder/Chairman of Sightline Hospitality, LLC, formed in 2005 as a property manager. Kline is recognized as a proactive investor and a pioneering asset manager in the lodging sector. He has been an early cyclical investor in turnaround hotels and resorts. Kline was among the first investors to evolve an institutionally recognized program of asset management systems and procedures and is a Founding Director of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association. Kline began his career in 1984 upon graduating from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration (SHA) and has since led over $12 billion in transactional activity. He founded the preeminent lodging investment practice under The Yarmouth Group/Lend Lease, and conducted extensive business throughout the U.S., Asia, Mexico, and Europe. Kline previously served as the initial head of acquisitions for Strategic Hotel Capital, where he oversaw the purchase of $2 billion of luxury hotels. In 1998 he began investing directly as a principal and has successfully invested over $6 billion of capital. Mr. Kline sits on the boards of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and WildCare of the Bay Area. He’s an Advisory Board Member of Cornell’s Center for Real Estate Finance and the Dean’s Advisory Board. He established No Reservations Giving Foundation and sits on the Hotel Investment Roundtable where he developed the Lodging Confidence Meter in 2010. Mr. Kline is a frequent lecturer and contributing author to Hotel Asset Management, and spearheaded HAMA’s first international expansion into Japan and the creation of the Certified Hotel Asset Manager program.

  Chartres Lodging Group

  Founder & CEO

  Rob Kline

  Founder & CEO

  Chartres Lodging Group

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  Rori Malech

  As a valued team member of clients in the real estate and hospitality industries, Rori is able to leverage her understanding of their business concerns and objectives with her deep experience and current market knowledge to navigate her clients from term sheet to closing of complex commercial transactions. Recently, Rori has been speaking to clients and the real estate community on the uptick in preferred equity transactions, sharing the depth of her experience with both joint ventures and financings and offering guidance on these transactions. She represents local and national developers, REITs, institutional equity investors, institutional and non-institutional lenders, and hotel owners and operators with their commercial real estate development and finance transactions. These transactions involve a variety of asset types, including mixed-use development, office, retail, hotel, condominium, multifamily and residential and commercial property. Working with clients across the United States, she assists both borrowers and lenders on financings, and hotel owners and operators on the negotiation of managements and license agreements. Additionally, she partners with clients on real estate acquisitions, dispositions, workouts, and equity and debt participations. Rori is a frequent speaker and panelist on the hospitality industry and preferred equity transactions. Relevant Experience Represented Hersha Hospitality Trust on its sale of seven Manhattan limited-service hotels to a joint venture between Hersha and Cindat Capital Management Ltd., in a transaction valued at $571.4 million. The transaction included senior and mezzanine financing in an aggregate amount of $335 million from Natixis Real Estate Capital LLC and Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. Represented leading private equity firm in the acquisition of 38 limited service and extended stay hotels, 4,950 rooms, for $590 million, and negotiation of mortgage and mezzanine financing from two major financial institutions and the securitization of the mortgage and a mezzanine tier. Represented a major insurance company with a preferred equity investment in the construction of a 391-key nationally branded hotel in Chicago, Illinois for total project cost of $113 million. Represented a major insurance company with a $150 million preferred equity investment in the acquisition and renovation of an office building in Chicago, Illinois. Represented a major insurance company with a preferred equity investment in the renovation of two well-known Walt Disney World hotels in Orlando, Florida. Represented a national lending institution with a preferred equity investment in the acquisition and development of a mixed-use property in New York City for a total project cost of $87 million. Represented a joint venture in the acquisition of a 34-story, one million square foot skyscraper in Boston, Massachusetts for $561 million. Represented an institutional lender with the $159.5 million mortgage and mezzanine financing of a historic hotel in Washington, DC. The transaction included the sale of one of the floors as an air space parcel to a vacation club and the negotiation of the documents governing the relationship between the hotel and vacation club. Represented a major insurance company with the upsizing of a $177 million preferred equity interest in a hotel located in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. Advised Israel Discount Bank of New York with a $31.5 million mortgage loan to Berit Realty LLC, owner of SIXTY hotel 6 Columbus, located at 6 Columbus Circle (308 West 58th Street), New York City. Representation of an operator in the negotiation of a joint venture agreement for the acquisition and development of a to-be-constructed 128-room Mondrian hotel in the Old City of Istanbul, Turkey. Representation of an operator in the acquisition, lease and management negotiations with respect to food and beverage operations at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada, and related documentation and negotiation with respect to Delano, Las Vegas, Nevada. Representation of a developer in the negotiation of a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of a newly constructed 185-room Hyatt Place in New York City (Midtown). Representation of an owner in the negotiation of management and license agreements for a Crowne Plaza in Charlotte, North Carolina. Representation of a developer in the negotiation of management and license agreements for a Courtyard by Marriott in College Park, Maryland. Representation of a joint venture in the negotiation of a $350 million loan secured by the St. Regis in Laguna Beach, California. Representation of a joint venture in the negotiation of a $201 million loan secured by the Anaheim Hilton in Anaheim, California, and negotiated the joint venture agreement and related documents on behalf of the developer. Representation of equity in the refinance of a $250 million loan secured by the historic and award-winning Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, in Washington, DC. Representation of a joint venture in the acquisition and $130 million financing of a 35-acre mixed-use development project (including hotel and branded residences as well as commercial, retail and residential) in Huntington Beach, California, known as Pacific City, and negotiated the joint venture agreement and related documents on behalf of the developer. Representation of equity in the acquisition of a 20-acre mixed-used development project (including retail, restaurant, hotel, entertainment, commercial, residential, education and civic space) in Miami, Florida, known as Miami Worldcenter, and negotiated the joint venture agreement and related documents on behalf of equity. Representation of a developer in the $46 million refinance of a GSA leased office building in Washington, DC. Representation of a developer in the restructure of a $200 million real estate portfolio of undeveloped land, hotels, mixed-use, office and development holdings in California and Texas. Representation of an equity investor in a $262 million purchase of two office buildings and a development parcel located in Washington, DC.

  Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

  Partner

  Moderator

  Rori Malech

  Partner

  Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Opening Remarks

• 

  Jonathan Aberman

  Jonathan Aberman is a highly respected thought leader on entrepreneurship and innovation. His experience as a venture investor, innovation consultant, university professor, and media commentator gives him a 360-degree perspective on entrepreneurship and technology innovation. He is identified as a leader of change and influence in print and television media, recognized by Washingtonian magazine as a “Tech Titan,” by the Washington Business Journal as a member of the “Power 100” and by the Commonwealth of Virginia as one of its “50 Most Influential Entrepreneurs” in the Commonwealth.” Forbes Magazine described him as the “unsung hero” of the successful attraction of Amazon HQ2 to Arlington, Virginia. Jonathan has unique expertise in the melding of national security and entrepreneurship with technology commercialization. He has worked on these matters with a number of national security agencies and universities including DOD Laboratory establishment, DARPA, the Air Force, the Army, the Department of Homeland Security, George Mason University, and the University of Maryland at College Park. His activities regarding entrepreneurship and national security resulted in the formation of Tandem National Security Innovations, a national innovation community that has helped national security entities such as DARPA, DHS, SOCOM, JSOC, and others find and engage with nontraditional sources of innovation. Through his closely held investment business, Amplifier Ventures, Jonathan has helped to start 16 technology businesses since 2005. Among these businesses are successful companies in cybersecurity, mobile communications, internet, and mobile content and software. Before starting Amplifier Ventures, he had a 15-year career as a partner and senior manager of a number of national law firms, and prior to that, he was an associate in the investment banking industry in London, England. He uses his commercial experience to provide valuable strategic advice, business model and customer discovery acumen, and deal management. His experiences and contacts in the venture capital industry inform his views on technology innovation and provide a hard-earned commercial perspective that he applies to his work. Jonathan is a committed educator. Prior to joining Marymount, he spent 11 years as a Lecturer of Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, where he taught a broad range of courses including business formation, corporate finance, business strategy, and family entrepreneurship. He also has a significant media footprint. He hosts What’s Working in Washington, a podcast and weekly radio show on Federal News Network’s WFED (AM 1500) examining innovation in one of the least understood business communities in the country. From 2015 until joining Marymount, Jonathan had a regular column, first in the Washington Post and then in the Washington Business Journal, covering the region’s business community, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development. He is often quoted in national publications including Bloomberg, CNN, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, and he actively participates on panels and serves as a keynote speaker for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology events. During his career Jonathan has helped to create many successful communities of entrepreneurs. In 2011, he founded Startup Virginia, Startup Maryland and StartupDC as part of the Obama Administration’s StartupAmerica Initiative. These efforts resulted in the formation of regionally impactful programs including 1776 Accelerator and the iCorps program. In 2012 he formed FounderCorps, a not for profit that aggregated many of the Greater Washington region’s most prominent entrepreneurs and promoted mentorship. In 2018, he formed the Tandem Product Academy, an educational program focused on teaching founders and senior executives essential skills necessary to scale technology product-based businesses.

  Marymount University

  Dean, BILT

  Jonathan Aberman

  Dean, BILT

  Marymount University