NATIONAL REPORT—The hotel industry has seen a couple of c-suite shifts, in addition to a new director appointment.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resort President, CEO to Leave
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts President and CEO J. Allen Smith will be leaving his position at the end of 2018 upon the completion of his five-year contract with the company. Smith, who was appointed president and CEO in 2013, will continue to lead the hospitality company until the board of directors completes its search for a successor.
“It is a profound honor and privilege for me to lead Four Seasons, and I am deeply grateful to my colleagues whose passion for being the best is evident every day in all that they do,” Smith said. “I have been fortunate to enjoy the tremendous support of our board of directors and hotel owners, who share a deep sense of commitment to our long-term success.”
Blackstone Names Jon Gray President, COO
Blackstone Tony James, president and COO, will be handing over day-to-day management of the firm to Jon Gray, global head of real estate. James will continue in a full-time role at the firm and assume the title of executive vice chairman, co-founder, chairman and CEO. Gray will become president and COO. Two long-time leaders in Blackstone’s real estate group, Ken Caplan and Kathleen McCarthy, have been named global co-heads of real estate succeeding Gray.
Sixty Hotels Appoints New President
Sixty Hotels has appointed Edward Maynard as its president. Most recently, he served as EVP of operations for Denihan Hospitality. Over the course of his career, Edward has worked with Princess Hotels, Millennium and Marriott. In 2004, he helped open Ian Schrager’s Gramercy Park Hotel. He’s also an alum of Starwood Hotels, working as general manager for both the W and Westin brands for nearly a decade.
HFF hires Ryan Lindgren as a director in Chicago office
Holliday Fenoglio Fowler L.P. (HFF) has hired Ryan Lindgren as a director in the firm’s Chicago office. He joins HFF from Waterton, where he was an assistant VP of acquisitions for their hotel team. Prior to that, he worked as an analyst at Watermark Capital Partners, Ernst & Young and PKF Consulting.