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PEACHTREE HOTEL GROUP and its affiliates, Peachtree PC Investors for capital markets and Peachtree Hospitality Management, made four changes at the senior leadership level recently. The promotions are intended to support the company's real estate investment platform and operation services, according to a statement. The Atlanta-based company, led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals, promoted Greg Zabinski as executive vice president, capital markets for Peachtree PC Investors. Vivian Clarke is now senior vice president for people and culture. Steve MacKenzie was promoted to senior vice president over operations for Peachtree Hospitality Management, and Michael Ritz is now senior vice president for investments. "The success Peachtree is experiencing is creating significant opportunities for us in the talent space," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO. "These promotions support our strategic growth objectives, and we expect to have additional promotions and appointments as we further scale up our operations."

Peachtree Group recently promoted 15 senior-level executives to support business initiatives within its investment and investment services teams. From the investment team, Nicholas Huddleston is promoted to vice president, loan servicing; Matthew Larre to vice president, portfolio management; Kendall Burrus to assistant vice president, debt asset management; John Schellhase to assistant vice president, development investments; and Matthew Weatherford to assistant vice president, dispositions and acquisitions. Promotions in the investment services team include: Daniel Puglisi to senior vice president, corporate operations, hospitality management; Lee Shuman to senior vice president, hospitality development; Jenelle Zadik to senior vice president, people, culture, and workplace initiatives; Allison Frazier to vice president of revenue management; Sophia Koehl to vice president of hotel accounting; and Charles Talbert to vice president, corporate communications. Also promoted in the services team were Eugene Barber III to assistant vice president, construction and design; Zachary Bollinger to assistant vice president, debt capital markets; Sean Hondorf to assistant vice president, renovation program; and Katherine Atkinson to controller.

NOBLE INVESTMENT GROUP has announced leadership promotions across its investment, capital markets, finance, and asset management teams - reflecting the firm's continued commitment to the professional development and advancement of its talented and long-tenured team. According to a company statement, Dan Konzelmann is promoted to vice president and will be responsible for executing strategies across Noble's investment platforms. Emily Feeney has been promoted to senior director and will look after financing new asset acquisitions, managing capital market relationships and asset sales. Jeff Pennington is elevated as senior director and will be in charge for internal and external reporting, fund modeling, and valuations. Bo Zhang has been promoted to senior associate, and will be responsible for information, data, and analytics for our asset management team and investment management strategies, the statement added. "We are extremely proud of these Noble leaders and their well-deserved promotions," said Mit Shah, Noble CEO. "We look forward to their continued growth and contributions to the success of our organization as we expand and execute the depth and breadth of our investment strategies."

Zubin Saxena is the new senior vice president and country head for Hilton India. Saxena joins Hilton from Radisson Hotel Group, where he worked for more than eight years, most recently as the managing director/area senior vice president for South Asia. He is scheduled to assume his new responsibilities in January, Hilton said in a statement. Saxena has a 24-year career in hospitality, including a 4-year tenure at IHG as director of development for South Asia, Hilton said. He held senior advisory positions at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in India and HVS in New York. In his new role, he will oversee Hilton's 25 operational hotels in India and lead the company's expansion in South Asia with 20 properties in the development pipeline. He takes over the position from Navjit Ahluwalia, who leaves Hilton after six years.

TWO MAJOR COMPANIES in the real estate finance space, Noble Investment Group and Peachtree Hotel Group affiliate Stonehill, recently announced major changes in their senior leadership team. Noble, led by Mit Shah as CEO, announced triple promotions in the firm. Dustin Fisher, Lisa Smith and Judd Ledet have been promoted as senior vice presidents for investments, asset management and development, respectively. Fisher will be responsible for the sourcing and execution of acquisition opportunities across Noble's institutional investment platforms, a statement said. Smith will lead the firm's asset management team and oversee a majority of Noble's third-party hotel operating relationships and overall asset performance.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association recently announced three promotions among its leadership team. Kiersten Pearce was promoted to senior vice president for executive and strategic initiatives; Adrienne Weil was promoted to senior vice president for member engagement and services; and Kara Filer was promoted to senior vice president for strategic partnerships and business development. Pearce joined AHLA in 2018 and previously served as its vice president of member engagement and services, according to AHLA. In her new role she will develop industry initiatives that align with AHLA's strategic plan and organizational priorities. She'll also oversee the coordination of the AHLA board of directors, executive committee and associated committees, as well as operational functions, including legal. Weil previously served as AHLA's vice president of strategic partnerships and business development and led efforts to accelerate "non-dues" revenue growth from industry service providers and suppliers. In her new role, she will lead AHLA's membership team and spearhead efforts to optimize AHLA's committees and networks and ensure AHLA's differentiated value proposition remains relevant as member needs evolve.

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Jamey Cua is the new vice president of business development for Peachtree Hotel Group's hotel operations and management division. Cua will oversee expansion of the Atlanta-based company's third-party management partnerships. Peachtree Hotel Group is led by Managing Principals Mitul Patel and Jatin Desai and CEO Greg Friedman. Prior to joining Peachtree, Cua was senior vice president for third-party managed development at Sage Hospitality. Before that he served as vice president of development for Marriott, International, Inc., and senior director of development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He has a master's degree in business administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, and a bachelor's degree in pre-med and sports medicine from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.

Stonehill CRE, the real estate arm of Stonehill, has finalized a $52 million senior loan agreement with Starpoint Properties to fund the construction of Lotus Point Apartments, a 245-unit multifamily development in Mesa, Arizona, within the Phoenix Metropolitan Statistical Area. The construction of this four-story building is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2025, Stonehill said in a statement. "This investment mirrors our sought-after strategy - a quality property with an experienced sponsor in a growing market," said Taylor Pike, senior vice president at Stonehill CRE. "Phoenix stands as a strong job growth market due to diverse employment opportunities. Single-family home development has not kept pace, and with rising mortgage rates, well-located multifamily projects will remain in high demand." This 6-acre site, adjacent to a retail center and within walking distance of the metro light rail, will provide studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, along with amenities such as a fitness center, clubhouse, co-working area, pool, and parking options, Stonehill said.

Joel Eisemann is now the senior advisor of real estate investment managing firm Noble Investment Group, the company said in a statement. Previously he was chief development officer for the Americas for IHG Hotels & Resorts. He will work with the Noble team to develop and scale the company's investment strategies as the firm continues the meaningful growth of its platform that serves institutional investors around the world, the statement added. Eisemann was with IHG for the past 11 years and retired last year. Under his leadership, IHG launched five new brands in the Americas and grew to approximately 5,000 hotels open and in the pipeline.

Sameer Nair is now senior vice president of acquisitions and development for Atlanta-based hotel investment and management firm Hospitality Ventures Management Group. Prior to joining HVMG, Nair oversaw transactions worth more than $600 million as vice president of investments and capital markets for Delray Beach-based Kolter Hospitality, the company said in a statement. In a career span of 11 years, Nair has sourced and closed deals worth more than $350 million across Hilton-, Hyatt-, IHG-, Marriott-franchised hotels and also negotiated and restructured $1 billion of existing debt. "An industry expert with more than a decade of hospitality real estate experience, Sameer immediately brings a wealth of knowledge and industry relationships he's acquired during his decorative career thus far. His presence immediately augments and broadens our already strong bench strength, and we look forward to Sameer playing an important role in helping HVMG and our owners and investors achieve their growth goals," said Robert Cole, HVMG president and CEO.

Matthew Hostetler, chief development officer at Red Roof, has been operating outside his wheelhouse for about 18 years now. In this installment of Asian Hospitality's Leadership Series, he explains how he does it all with a smile on his face. Hostetler was at the Hunter Hotel Conference in March in Atlanta when he took time to talk about his history in the hotel business along with the current status of Red Roof. Topics also included AAHOA's 12 Points of Fair Franchising, the company's preparations for possible economic headwinds this year and the success of Red Roof's newest brand. Same job, different industry In 2002, Hostetler was recruited by Cendant Hotel Group, which is now Wyndham Hotel Group, to conduct franchise sales under Phil Hugh, who was at that time senior vice president for franchise sales. That was when he stepped out of his comfort zone. "I said yes to an opportunity that was way, in sales was not outside of my wheelhouse, but outside of my industry," Hostetler said. "I was in transportation for 15 years before that. So yeah, that definitely outside the wheelhouse." In 2014, he joined Red Roof as the senior vice president of development, again working under Hugh. In 2020, when Hugh left the company, Hostetler became chief development officer. Now he's settled into the job. "I love the hotel business. I love hospitality. I love the people in this business, how they are so entrepreneurial," Hostetler said. But there's also so people oriented as well. That's what attracts talent so much right? Hospitality. Everyone has a smile on their face most of the time."

Rodney Williams is retiring from his position as principal and chief investment officer at Noble Investment Group at the end of the year. He will continue to serve on the firm's investment committee as a senior advisor. Williams joined Noble in 2004 as the company's first CIO overseeing the company's sourcing and investment underwriting as well as executing project developments. Prior to joining Noble, he was a managing principal with Hardin Capital, a joint venture between DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners and Hardin Construction, and held senior executive roles with Coopers & Lybrand, InterContinental Hotels, and Laventhol & Horwath. "Rodney's impact on our Noble organization has been profound," said Mit Shah, Noble CEO. "His vision, integrity, and devotion have made us a better team. His benevolence and grace have made me a better person. Perhaps Rodney's most important legacy will be his most valued endeavor - helping to develop and inspire our next generation of Noble stewards to lead lives that matter."

Bradley Nelson is the new senior director of facilities at Noble Investment Group, overseeing strategic product quality and directing the capital expense program across the firm's portfolio. He transitions from Spire Hospitality, where he served as corporate director, facilities, overseeing the development and maintenance of facilities and ensuring operational efficiency and sustainability, Noble said in a statement. Nelson previously held positions at Sage Hospitality, InterContinental Hotels Group, Concord Hospitality, and Twin Tier Hospitality, the statement said. "Brad is an outstanding addition to our asset management team, bringing a wealth of experience that will help support the continued growth of our institutional investment management platform," said Steven Nicholas, Noble's managing principal, head of asset management.

BPR Properties, led by Birju Patel as president, has sold its Home2 Suites by Hilton Savannah Airport in Pooler, Georgia. The deal was brokered by Hunter Hotel Advisors. A large private equity group purchased the hotel to increase its select-service portfolio. "The Home2 Suites Savannah Airport should provide the new owner continued strong performance in the market as the premium Hilton brand will be able to take advantage of its location along Interstate 95, proximate to strong corporate demand and just minutes from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) and Downtown Savannah." said Mayank Patel, senior vice president for Hunter Hotel Advisors. "Mayank and Hunter have been strategic partners as we implement and execute our disposition strategy that will ultimately be accretive for our portfolio and future growth." Birju Patel said.

U.S. HOTEL DEVELOPERS have a new choice of brands now. InterContinental Hotels Group is now signing franchise agreements stateside for its Vignette Collection, previously focused on development in Asia with its first properties in Australia and Thailand. The Vignette Collection is part of IHG's luxury and lifestyle portfolio that includes more than 400 hotels and 100,000 rooms. Hotel owners and operators in the U.S. are invited to attend an online symposium on franchising with the brand on Dec. 7. "Vignette Collection gives owners and guests an inspiring new choice and, while each hotel in the collection will maintain its unique story and guest experience, guests will also enjoy the assurance of a consistent and high-quality experience backed by IHG," said Julienne Smith, IHG's senior vice president of development for the Americas. "There is outstanding potential in the Americas region for this brand, specifically in urban and resort locations, with Vignette Collection offering high value and flexibility for hotel owners."

PEACHTREE HOTEL GROUP and its affiliates added five executives to its management teams. These new appointments aim to strengthen the company's ability to support strategic growth objectives to scale its investment platform and further diversify allocation strategies, the company said in a statement. The Atlanta-based company, led by Jatin Desai and Mitul Patel as managing principals, appointed Matthew Ram as senior vice president of acquisitions and Susan McClure as vice president leadership and executive development. Will Woodworth assumed the role of vice president for investments, Nicole Havens is vice president of revenue management and Kelly Mascari is vice president of operations at PHG's affiliate Peachtree Hospitality Management.

Mark Sergot is InterContinental Hotels Group's new vice president for global sales operations and enablement. Previously he was chief sales officer for Associated Luxury Hotels International. Sergot spent 16 years at FRHI Hotels & Resorts, the parent company of the Fairmont, Raffles & Swissotel brands. He became FRHI's senior vice president for its global sales organization. He will be based on the company's Americas headquarters in Atlanta and report to global sales Vice President Derek DeCross.

Tara Investments of Charlotte, North Carolina, recently sold its Hyatt Place in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The deal was brokered by Hunter Hotel Advisors and Apple Hospitality REIT bought the property. Mayank Patel, Hunter's senior vice president, oversaw the sale. Tara Investment is led by Anish Patel as managing partner. "We are very happy to announce the consummation of this transaction for our client," Mayank said. "The Hyatt Place is another example of Tara's premium grade developments, strategically located in Greenville's captivating downtown allowing the hotel to take advantage of strong business and leisure demand," Apple Hospitality bought the 130-room hotel in a continued effort to add newer vintage, high RevPAR assets to their select-service portfolio.

THE UPWARD MOVEMENT of ADR for U.S. hotels lifted the forecast for the market by STR and Tourism Economics. The travel research firms released the new forecast during the opening sessions of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles on Monday. The recovery timeline laid out in the new forecast remains mostly the same as the previous forecast released in November, with ADR will near full recovery this year. RevPAR is anticipated to exceed 2019 levels in 2023, but when adjusted for inflation ADR and RevPAR are not projected to reach full recovery until after 2025. Occupancy is projected to surpass 2019 levels in 2023. "The industry recaptured 83 percent of pre-pandemic RevPAR levels in 2021, and momentum is expected to pick up after a slow start to this year," said Carter Wilson, STR's senior vice president of consulting. "With so much of that RevPAR recovery being led by leisure-driven ADR, however, it is important to keep an eye on the real versus the nominal. Terms of recovery are not playing out evenly across the board, and many hoteliers have had to raise rates to minimize the bottom-line hit from labor and supply shortages. We are anticipating inflation to remain higher throughout the first half of the year with a gradual leveling off during the third and fourth quarters. If that happens, and we avoid major setbacks with the pandemic, this year will certainly be one to watch with demand and occupancy also shaping up to hit significant levels during the second half."