SAN FRANCISCO—COO David Chin will take over hotel management company Engage Hospitality, based here, as president and CEO. Founding President and CEO Yvonne Lembi-Detert has stepped down after 30-plus years of building and managing boutique hotels to pursue other opportunities.
“I can’t think of a better person to take the reins,” said Lembi-Detert. “David has been with the company since the inception of Engage Hospitality, and I’ve worked alongside him at Personality Hotels since 2006. Much like me, he has an incredible passion for the business and a deep understanding of what it takes to run a successful hotel.”
Chin was responsible for the day-to-day operations of Engage Hospitality and its portfolio of hotels. He was the inspiration behind Engage Hospitality and its third party management services and has been instrumental in growing the company’s portfolio since its launch.
“I’m very excited to carry on Yvonne’s vision,” said Chin. “She’s built an incredible company from the ground up, and I’ve learned so much from her over the years. I’m honored that she feels she can pass the torch along to me, and I plan to continue to grow the Engage Hospitality brand, while pushing the envelope and staying ahead of trends, just as she did.”
Launched in 2010 by Lembi-Detert, Engage Hospitality has grown with 13 hotels in its current portfolio, and serves a diverse range of owners including private owners, REITs, real estate investors and private equity funds. In 1982, and at the age of 22, Lembi-Detert opened the first boutique hotel in San Francisco, Hotel Union Square, according to the company.