ATLANTA—Hotel Development Partners (HDP) recently welcomed Robert J. “Bob” McCarthy, former COO of Marriott International, to the firm as chairman.
As chairman of the firm’s executive board, McCarthy will set forward the strategy for the growth of HDP. His experience in all markets and his strong brand knowledge highlight his ability to lead HDP’s expanding portfolio with a focus on Marriott-branded hotels.
HDP’s active development projects include new Residence Inns in both Miami Beach/Surfside and Dunwoody/Atlanta Perimeter Center as well as the Hampton Inn & Suites Dunwoody/Perimeter Center. More than a dozen acquisition and new development deals are in process including several existing Marriott-branded hotels under contract.
“Bob’s depth of knowledge and his network of relationships within the hospitality industry are invaluable to HDP and will enhance the quality of our portfolio and operations,” said Allen T. O’Brien, CEO, Hotel Development Partners. “I look forward to working with him as we identify unique opportunities for hospitality investment.”
McCarthy retired from Marriott International in March 2014 where he spent 38 years in multiple assignments including sales and marketing, brand, operations and executive positions. Before joining HDP, he founded McCarthy Investments, LLC and currently serves as its chairman.
“I am excited to have someone of Bob’s caliber and experience join HDP at this critical time of high growth and expansion,” said Fred Cerrone, COO, Hotel Development Partners and CEO of Hotel Equities. “I have known Bob for 20+ years and consider him a friend and a mentor. I look forward to working alongside Bob and Allen to help make HDP an extraordinary hotel development and ownership company.”
McCarthy’s Marriott International responsibilities culminated in the role of COO where he oversaw Global Lodging Services, The Ritz Carlton, and shared reporting responsibilities for Marriott’s four continental operating divisions spanning 4,000 hotels across 20 lodging brands in 75 countries.
Prior to that role, he served as group president of the Americas with oversight of more than 3,000 hotels and 120,000 associates. In addition, his Global Lodging Services role encompassed many of the staff oversight functions and strategies in sales, revenue management, marketing, brand management, operations, architecture, and construction and information services.