Highgate - Our Team - Highgate Corporate

Mahmood Khimji

Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Board

Mahmood Khimji is a founding principal of Highgate, an industry-leading real estate investment and management firm, and has been involved in all aspects of Highgate’s development since its founding in 1988.

Prior to founding Highgate, Mr. Khimji practiced law at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Mr. Khimji is on the Board of Directors of Sagicor Financial Corporation, Playa Hotels & Resorts, and American Hotel Income Properties and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and the Real Estate Forum. He previously held board positions at MeriStar Hospitality Corporation, Interstate Hotels, and Morgans Hotel Group. Mr. Khimji also serves on the National Committee of Aga Khan Foundation USA and on the boards of Aga Khan Museum and the Asia Society. Additionally, Mr. Khimji serves on the Board of Visitors for Columbia Law School.

Mr. Khimji attended the University of British Columbia, holds a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Houston and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.

Mehdi Khimji

Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Board

Mehdi Khimji is a Managing Principal and Co-Founder of Highgate and sits on the Company’s Board of Directors. He founded Highgate with his brother, Mahmood, in 1988. For the past 25 years, he has been actively involved in the acquisition, financing and disposition of over 10 billion dollars of real estate. Mehdi is based in London and leads the Company’s European growth strategy.

Mehdi formerly served on the Board of Directors for the Vancouver General Hospital and University of British Columbia Hospital Foundation.

Mehdi graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Commerce. Upon graduation, he articled with a public accounting firm in Canada and earned his CA.

Zach Berger

Principal

Zach is a ten-year Highgate veteran and leads Highgate’s real estate investment, asset management and corporate finance initiatives. During his time at Highgate, Zach has been involved in over $12bn of hospitality and other real estate transactions.

Prior to joining Highgate, Zach worked in Citigroup’s Real Estate and Lodging Investment Banking Group. While at Citi, Zach worked on public debt and equity raises, and M&A transactions involving REITs, lodging operators and real estate private equity funds.

Zach graduated summa cum laude from Wake Forest University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science, and also studied at The London School of Economics.

Richard Russo

Principal

Richard’s 20 years of hotel industry experience includes the last seven years with Highgate where he has been responsible for spearheading the firm’s business development efforts. In his role as Principal, Rich is focused on identifying new conversion opportunities, leading the due diligence and site selection process, sourcing debt and equity partners, and negotiating long term management agreements.

Prior to Highgate, he was with Morgan’s Hotel Group, where he ran various asset management functions for MHG including asset sales and operational enhancement reviews. Rich was previously a Manager for Ernst & Young, L.L.P. in the Transaction Advisory Services Division, specializing in real estate and hospitality.

Rich has a Master of Business Administration Degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

Matt Gunlock

Principal

Matt Gunlock has 15 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, the last five of which as Highgate’s General Counsel.

Prior to joining Highgate, Matt was an attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where he focused on commercial real estate transactions, hospitality, and private equity.

He holds a BS in Accounting, summa cum laude, from the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University and a JD from the William & Mary School of Law.

Steve Barick

Principal

Steve joined Highgate in 1992 and has over 34 years of hotel multi-unit experience and over 40 years of total hospitality experience. As Principal, Steve is focused on turnaround strategies for distressed and under-performing hotel properties, including the oversight of over $2 billion dollars in renovation and repositioning programs. Previously, he served as Highgate’s COO for 20 years where he was responsible for implementing operating cost controls and effective operating budget management techniques, operational execution of the portfolio, organizational growth and managing a world class team.

Ankur Randev

Principal & Chief Commercial Officer

Ankur joined Highgate in 2003 and was integral in the development of Highgate’s proprietary revenue management, distribution and electronic marketing functions. As Principal & Chief Commercial Officer, Ankur has global oversight of Highgate’s commercial strategy which includes Revenue Management, Sales and Marketing, E-commerce and Customer Relationship Management.

Prior to joining Highgate Hotels in 2003, Ankur worked at Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces and McKinsey & Company.

Ankur received a Bachelor of Hospitality Management, Sales and Marketing and Revenue Management from The University of Huddersfield. He holds certifications from Harvard Business School’s Executive Leadership Program, Cornell University, and Wharton’s Executive Education Program.

Arash Azarbarzin

Principal & Chief Executive Officer

Arash Azarbarzin is Principal & Chief Executive Officer at Highgate. In this role, he will collaborate with Highgate’s Co-Founders and Principals to build upon the company’s culture while expanding relationships with esteemed industry partners. This includes a heightened focus on Highgate’s Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance strategy based on Arash’s expertise in sustainable, modern luxury. Arash will also lead the development of specialized Food & Beverage and Marketing divisions.

Arash brings over 30 years of hospitality leadership experience, including most recently serving as CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts, where was instrumental in the growth and development of 1 Hotels, Treehouse, and Baccarat. Prior to joining SH, Arash was a founding member of sbe Hotel Group, where he served as President for 12 years, prior to which he held leadership roles at W Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis, and Four Seasons. Arash is a seasoned leader with deep operational experience, a track record of mentoring and cultivating exceptional talent, driving corporate culture, and a dedication to innovating and delivering unique guest experiences on a scaled level.

Rob Dann

Chief Operating Officer, Highgate Select

Rob leads the organizational growth and operational execution of Highgate’s Select Service division. Rob also is the leader for Highgate’s ground up development platform focused on select service and extended stay assets.

Previously, Rob was the Chief Operating Officer of Campus Crest Group (NYSE: CCG), the second largest student housing company in the world. Prior to Campus Crest, he was the President of CSM Lodging and held senior roles at Boykin Management Company and Interstate Hotels. Rob also has over 15 additional years of Hospitality experience at the field level with such companies as Ian Schrager Hotels, Helmsley Hotels, InterContinental and Westin Hotels and Resorts.

Rob holds a BSBA in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Denver.

Ned Martin

Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Ned oversees Highgate’s global financial planning, accounting execution and capital partnership development.

Previously, Ned served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Golden Entertainment, Inc. (“GEI”) in Las Vegas, Nevada where he oversaw the Human Resources, Security & Surveillance, Information Technology, and Facilities Departments. Prior to its acquisition by GEI, Ned was the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Chief Operating Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors of American Casino & Entertainment Properties (ACEP). Throughout his career, Ned has held several senior level finance positions with Station Casinos, Inc., Silverton Casino, LLC, and Maloof Companies

Ned holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin and attended the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.

Elizabeth Redmond

Chief Accounting Officer

As Chief Accounting Officer, Elizabeth is responsible for leading Highgate’s global accounting operations and driving innovation across Highgate’s accounting and reporting practices. Prior to joining Highgate, Redmond served as Chief Accounting Officer of Choice Hotels International, Inc., a global hospitality company with a portfolio representing over 7,000 franchised, managed and owned hotels, where she led enterprise-wide process reengineering efforts, implemented complex accounting standards and improved internal control structures and procedures to accommodate the company’s growth and evolving financial structure. Redmond began working at Choice Hotels in 2007 as Director of Compliance and was later promoted to Senior Director, Accounting & Compliance and Vice President, Financial Reporting & Accounting.

Geri Williams-Fitts

Chief People Officer

Geri joined Highgate in 2008 and provides direction to corporate and field-based human resources professionals throughout North America and internationally in all labor-related activities, life-cycle processes, talent acquisition, workforce planning, and compensation strategies.

Prior to joining Highgate Hotels, Geri held a range of senior human resources leadership positions with several hospitality-based businesses, including Wyndham Worldwide and Hilton Hotels. In addition, she spent over seven years with distinguished retail service organizations including May Company and the Federated Organization.

Geri holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management/Administration from Gordon University.

Richard Tudgay

Chief Technology Officer

Richard joined Highgate in December of 2015 as the Vice President of Information Technology and advanced to a Senior Vice President in early 2017. Now as Chief Technology Officer, Richard is responsible for Highgate’s technical product roadmap, as well as overseeing Cyber Security, Cloud, Compliance & Application Development.

A veteran of IT for more than a decade, Richard was previously a Vice President of Technology at OMNI Hotels & Resorts for 14 years. Before joining OMNI, Richard was a Developer/Project Manager for The Container Store.

Richard grew up in Philadelphia and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Penn State University.

Mike Dickersbach

Chief Digital Officer

As Chief Digital Officer, Mike leads Highgate’s technology initiatives, identifying emerging trends, evaluating new opportunities, and guiding strategic decisions. His visionary approach and ability to navigate complex technological landscapes are instrumental in driving Highgate’s digital transformation efforts.

Mike began his career in the hospitality industry, initially serving as a Systems & Control Manager and Restaurant Manager after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Johnson & Wales University. Over the years, he has held various key positions within the industry, including CTO at Highgate, Head of IT for Thayer Lodging and Brookfield Properties, Director of Technology at HEI, and Global Head of Hospitality Services at Infor.

Mike’s contributions to the industry extend beyond his professional roles. He has actively participated in industry committees and advisory boards, such as the HITEC advisory committee, Advisory Board for Hospitality Technology Magazine, Advisor for Thayer Ventures, Hilton Advisory Board, and Chairman of the American Hospitality and Lodging Association’s Technology and e-commerce advisory committee.

In 2014, Mike further enhanced his educational background by earning a Master’s Degree in Information Systems from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, graduating Suma Cum Laude.

Brian Winston

EVP, Sales and Marketing

Brian re-joined Highgate in April 2013, bringing to the company over 25 years of experience as a dynamic sales and marketing professional in the hotel and hospitality industry.

Brian came to Highgate from the Trump Hotel Collection, where he served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing and oversaw the company’s domestic and international sales and marketing growth, competing in the high-end luxury sector. Prior to Trump, Brian held senior sales and marketing positions with Highgate, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels Corporation and Westin Hotels & Resorts.

A native of Boston, Brian graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Management.

Paul McElroy

EVP, Construction and Design

Paul re-joined Highgate in 2020 as the Executive Vice President of Design and Construction, overseeing all aspects of the company’s Design and Construction division. Paul originally joined Highgate in 2014 as Vice President of Construction, overseeing all Hawaii and West Coast based projects.

Prior to Highgate, Paul was Vice President of Development at Trinity Investments. Before that, he served as Vice President of Design and Construction for Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts where he oversaw all major renovations and redevelopments at its four Waikiki properties. Paul moved to Hawaii in 2000 and began his career at Rider Levett Bucknall, a construction consulting firm.

A native of Donegal in the northwest region of Ireland, McElroy earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in quantity surveying from the University of Ulster.

Kerry Mack

EVP, Revenue & Distribution

Kerry Mack is the Executive Vice President of Revenue & Distribution for Highgate Hotels. She joined Highgate in 2005 and has almost 30 years of hotel experience with 25 of those years in Revenue Management. Kerry’s responsibilities include direct oversight for Highgate’s 350+ properties as well as the planning and execution of the company’s property level revenue management strategies, pricing policies, CRM Program, and E-Commerce initiatives.

Prior to joining Highgate, Kerry has held property, regional and corporate Revenue Management positions throughout Manhattan with the Melrose Hotel Company and the Camberly Hotel Company. In 2004 she received an award for “Highest RevPAR Growth in North America” at the SRS World Hotel Conference and in 2008 she received the “Revenue Management Professional of the Year” award from the Big Apple Chapter of HSMAI. Most recently, she was honored in 2017 as one of HMSAI’s Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization.

Aside from her day job, Kerry has been an adjunct professor at New York University’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management for 20 years where she teaches graduate students in the classes that pertain to the discipline of Revenue Management. In 2011 she received a Teaching Excellence Faculty Award from NYU. She is also a member of HSMAI and was on the Board of Directors in 2007 to help jumpstart the Special Interest Group for Revenue Management in the Big Apple Chapter. She also is on the Executive Board of Directors for NYC & Company, which is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York.

A New York City native, Kerry holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel Management from New York University.

Gopu Menon

EVP, Revenue & Distribution

Gopu Joined Highgate in 2007. As EVP of Revenue & Distribution he oversees Revenue Management Operations for Highgate Hotels. He has opened & set up several properties in new markets for Highgate.

Gopu recently relocated back to NY after a 5-year stint in UK/EU where he assisted in setting up Highgate’s London office & oversaw Revenue & Distribution for Highgate’s EU portfolio.

Gopu was awarded the coveted HSMAI Revenue Management Professional of the Year in recognition of exceptional contribution to the discipline in the year 2013.

Prior to joining Highgate, Gopu worked with the Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces. Gopu has a Bachelors Degree in Hospitality Administration form Welcomschool, Manipal.

Marianne Balfe

VP, Sustainability

As Vice President of Sustainability, Marianne is responsible for driving Highgate’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy across the company’s guest experience, construction projects, external reporting, and corporate culture.

Prior to Highgate, Marianne was Director of Energy and Environmental Sustainability for the Americas at Marriott International where she was responsible for the development and implementation of sustainability strategies, establishing strategic partnerships across all sectors, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, contributing to ESG reporting, and delivering annual carbon, water and waste footprint reductions.

Before joining Marriott, Balfe founded a sustainability strategy consulting firm after completing an MBA while working in the solar industry. Marianne holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. She has served in advisory roles for the Cleantech Open Competition, Business Renewables Centre Canada, The Water Risk Monetizer and Marriott International’s Women’s Engineering Advisory Council.

Jeff Toscano

EVP, Luxury and Lifestyle Operations

As Executive Vice President Jeff will oversee Highgate’s portfolio of lifestyle, luxury, and independent hotels.

For decades, Jeff has been at the forefront of the boutique lifestyle segment – working with hotel management, ownership, and developers in creating, innovating, and executing distinctively unique hotel products and concepts. Toscano originally joined Highgate in 2011 specializing in new hotels, from acquisition, design and construction and branding and marketing to hotel openings and asset stabilization. Some of his most notable hotel projects include The Refinery NYC, The Gates Key West, Washington Park South Beach and The Quin Central Park. He is returning to the brand most recently from Davidson Hotels & Resorts where he served as the Executive Vice President of Pivot. He also brings unmatched experience from Hyatt’s newly formed lifestyle division, where he led the integration of legacy Two Roads Hospitality following Hyatt’s acquisition of the company, and as Executive Vice President of Operations at Two Roads. His early career included senior level corporate roles at Amsterdam Hospitality, Denihan Hospitality Group and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Rachel Winter

VP, Communications and Brand Strategy

Rachel joined Highgate in 2020 and is responsible for corporate Highgate positioning and public identity as well as developing holistic marketing campaigns for new luxury and lifestyle hotel openings.

In her previous role as Senior Director of Marketing at Lightstone, Rachel managed all pre-opening and opening marketing efforts for their new Moxy Hotels throughout New York City. At Dream Hotel Group, Rachel was responsible for creating a cohesive brand identity for current and future Dream Hotels across marketing platforms and programs. Rachel previously managed social media and communications for various travel brands including Paradisus Resorts and Booking.com.

Rachel graduated from Indiana University’s Liberal Arts and Management Honors Program with a B.A. in Sociology and certificates in Business and Management.

Kristi Blake

Regional Director of Marketing and Comms, East

Kristi has almost 20 years of international experience working in Marketing, Public Relations and Communications across luxury lifestyle hotel brands. Before joining Highgate in 2021, Kristi oversaw both New York City and Boston markets for Four Seasons as Senior Director of Public Relations & Communications.

Prior to Four Seasons, Kristi re-opened Loews Regency New York as Director of Public Relations after a $125+ million renovation. Earlier in her career, she held numerous Sales and Marketing roles with Starwood Hotels working across various brands. Most notably, Kristi opened the iconic W Hollywood Hotel & Residences and later joined the team at W South Beach Hotel & Residences.

As a true global citizen, Kristi has lived in six countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, UK, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Kristi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Journalism from the University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia) and a Master of Arts in International Communication from Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia).

Nicole Kramer-Axelrad

Regional Director of Marketing and Comms, Southeast

Nicole comes to Highgate from The Setai in Miami Beach, where she was Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Previously, she spent 20 years in the luxury watch and jewelry industry, having worked with brands including Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, IWC and Baume & Mercier, where she was the Director of Marketing and Communications in Latin America and Caribbean. Nicole also was the Marketing Director for several years in travel retail for the Americas with Dufry, a leader in the global travel retail industry.

Nicole is an American and Swiss citizen, born in Iran and raised in Colombia. Nicole is fluent in English and Spanish. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Business from Arizona State University and an MBA in International Business from Schiller International University in Madrid, Spain.

Suzanne Wenz

Regional Director of Marketing and Comms, New England

Suzanne Wenz joined Highgate in 2017 and is responsible for the development and implementation of marketing communications programs for New England.

Most Recently, Suzanne was the Regional Director of Public Relations for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in the Northeast U.S. and Bermuda. Based at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, Suzanne managed public relations and communications programs, including hotel openings and repositionings, in Boston and Bermuda, as well as Fairmont’s properties throughout the Northeast US including the reopening of The Plaza in New York.

Before joining Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Suzanne was Vice President, Travel and Hospitality, at Clarke & Company, a Boston-based public relations, and issues management firm.

Suzanne is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and Associate at Large on the Eastern Chapter Board. In addition, she is currently serving on the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau branding committee.

Active in the community, Suzanne has served on the board of The Friends of Copley Square, as a committee member for Mayor’s Rose Garden Party, as a Director-at-Large on the Emmanuel College Alumni Association Board, and on the Board of Advisors for Historic Hotels of America. Suzanne has been a guest lecturer at Emmanuel College and Boston University’s Shaw School of Hospitality and College of Communications.

Steve Batta

EVP, Operations

As Executive Vice President of Operations, Steve oversees the performance of Highgate’s east coast portfolio. He is responsible for the delivery of both product and service quality in accordance with the hotel’s profitability goals.

Prior to joining Highgate in 2019, Mr. Batta served as Sr. Vice President of Operations, at MCR where he led the operations for all of MCR’s independent full-service hotels across the country, including the 60-room The High Line Hotel in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood and the 512-room TWA Hotel at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Mr. Batta also served at Marriott International for almost 25 years and held numerous senior roles, including the General Manager of the 1,780-room Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, the luxury JW Marriott Essex House New York and the Renaissance New York Hotel.

A leader in New York City’s hotel industry, Mr. Batta is the Secretary of the Hotel Association of New York City, where he chairs the finance committee and is a member of the audit and nominating committees. He also serves as a Trustee for the New York Hotel Trades Council & Hotel Association of New York City, Inc. Employee Benefit Funds. In addition, he is the President of Les Amis d’Escoffier Society Foundation Inc., a nonprofit that provides scholarships for culinary arts students, and Vice President of Inside Broadway, a New York City-based children’s theater company.

Mr. Batta received a B.S. in Business Marketing from Marist College.

Jason Kreul

EVP, Operations

Jason Kreul serves as Highgate’s Executive Vice President of Operations, supporting Highgate’s West Coast hotels which consist of a variety of full-service branded and lifestyle independent hotels.

Prior to joining Highgate, Jason was the Senior Vice President of Operations for White Lodging, responsible for all owned and managed full-service hotels as well as owned select service Hotels. Before his tenure at White Lodging, Jason held numerous leadership roles for Winegardner & Hammons. Jason’s property level experience includes numerous General Manager positions with Lifestyle Independent and Marriott Full-Service Hotels in various urban and resort markets throughout North America. During his tenure as General Manager Jason was the recipient of many brand awards including General Manager of the Year and Hotel of the Year for Marriott International.

Jason has served on many industry and community organizations including the Marriott Rooms Advisory Board and Food and Beverage Advisory Board. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University – Hotel Management & Finance and also studied Culinary Arts at the University of Strasbourg, France.

Kelly Sanders

EVP, Operations

At Highgate, Kelly oversees the management of an expanding portfolio of properties in Hawaii —including the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. An accomplished industry expert, Kelly brought with him over 30 years of hospitality experience, including 21 years with Marriott/Starwood.

Sanders was appointed a board member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) by Governor of Hawaii David Ige. In addition to his extensive background in the hospitality industry, Sanders is active in numerous philanthropic endeavors. He is a supporter of the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI), a non-profit organization committed to returning the indigenous koa, milo and sandalwood trees back to the Hawaiian Islands. He was previously Chair of the Diamond Head Theater and is a board member of Gregory House Charities, Euro Cinema, Boy Scouts of America and The American Red Cross. He is also the Creative Entertainment Director for the Heart Ball benefiting the American Heart Association of Hawaii.

Matt Greene

EVP, Luxury Residences

As Executive Vice President of Luxury Residences, Matt Greene is responsible for overseeing Highgate’s growing portfolio of managed condo-hotels and residences. Prior to joining Highgate, Greene served as Executive Vice President, Lifestyle Operations for Evolution Hospitality & Aimbridge Hospitality, where he oversaw the Lifestyle hotel portfolio as well as 10+ new hotel developments across the US & Mexico. He previously held senior operations roles at Hotel ZaZa Dallas, which first sparked Greene’s interest in the condo-hotel space after successfully opening an adjacent condo tower to the hotel. Greene then took his experience at ZaZa to Starwood Hotel & Resorts as Senior Director of New Builds & Conversions for W Hotels Worldwide, where he opened the iconic W Dallas Victory, which featured the first residences under the W brand. Greene also managed the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, a condo hotel located in the city’s entertainment corridor.

Kimberly O'Fallon

COO, InnVentures

Kimberly O’Fallon began her career with InnVentures in 1994 as the Front Office Manager at the Residence Inn-Lloyd Center in Portland, Oregon. She has since held several management positions including Director of Sales at the Residence Inn-Portland North Vancouver. Kimberly was the Opening General Manager at the Stonebrook Suites-Seattle Southcenter (now TownePlace Suites) and the Residence Inn-Portland Downtown at RiverPlace; where she was recognized nationally as a Diamond GM of the Year in 2005. Kimberly was promoted to Regional Director for the Marriott hotels in 2006 and took on the role of Sales Support in addition to her Regional Director position in 2010. She was promoted to Senior Regional Director in 2014, Director of Operations in 2018 and Chief Operating Officer in 2019.

Kimberly has served on the Board of Directors of the Tri-County Lodging Association (Oregon) and the Portland Streetcar Advisory Committee. She has been a member of the Oregon and Washington Lodging Associations and has worked on the Hutch Holiday Gala, benefiting Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Kimberly has served on the Courtyard Brand’s System Marketing Fund Committee as well as the Residence Inn Brand’s National Culture Council. She is currently a member of the Residence Inn System Standards Committee.

Kimberly is a graduate of the Washington State University’s Hospitality Program.

David Montrose

EVP Operations, Highgate Select

With 35 years of experience leading premium branded full service, focus, and boutique hotels, David brings veteran skills to his role. Throughout his career, David has opened over 20 hotels in the most dynamic growth markets in the US. He has extensive experience in revenue generation, operational excellence, asset maximization and organizational capabilities.

Most recently, David served as SVP of Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection – named the No. 1 Resort Hotel in the U.S. two years in a row by Travel + Leisure. David was also Chief Executive Officer of Janko Hospitality, responsible for the strategic, financial, and operational leadership of the organization. Prior to that, David spent 25-years with White Lodging serving as an award-winning General Manager, Regional Vice President, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations, and eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer.

David graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Management. He previously chaired the Purdue Northwest School of Hospitality Advisory board and now sits on the Penn State School of Hospitality advisory Board.

Tom Poehailos

EVP Operations, Highgate Select

A 35-year hospitality veteran, Tom returns to Highgate after leading operations for Hotel Equities hotels in the US and Canada. During this tenure he helped grow Hotel Equities portfolio from 80 hotels to 140 through a series of M&A’s, hotel transitions from previous management companies as well as the opening of several new builds that were under development.

Prior to joining Hotel Equities he spent 9+ years with Highgate, serving as Vice President of Operations and then Senior Vice-President of Operations. During his time with Highgate, Tom had oversight over a diverse portfolio of hotels including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG branded full and select service hotels, as well as independent, full service and resort properties.

Tom holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Southern New Hampshire University.

Jason Gold

SVP, Business Development

Jason joined Highgate in 2020 and brings to Highgate a wealth of industry-related experience, having most recently spent over two years with Crescent Hotels & Resorts, as the Senior Vice President of Business Development, leading the business development team and personally generating over $200M in new revenue under management, with a focus on premium full service, branded and lifestyle hotels.

Prior to Crescent, Jason spent over six years as Vice President of Acquisitions & Business Development for Two Roads Hospitality (formerly Destination Hotels & Resorts), the then largest operator of independent hotels & resorts in North America, where he was instrumental in strategically developing and expanding growth within the Two Roads portfolio before the subsequent sale to Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.

Jason also worked for Denihan Hospitality Group as Director of Acquisitions & Development and was involved in the acquisition and subsequent growth of the James brand in New York City and Miami. Jason has also held positions with Lehman Brothers and PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York City.

For Business Development opportunities, contact Jason at:

JGold@highgate.com

Matt Wechsler

SVP, Acquisitions and Development

Matt joined Highgate in 2011 and is adept at underwriting and analyzing complex portfolios, seasonal resorts, lifestyle urban hotels, and mixed-use developments. He joined Highgate after a successful career as a Senior Analyst with Rockbridge during their peak hotel investment period and began his career with Choice Hotels.

Matt is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Real Estate and Development.

MWechsler@highgatecapinv.com

Sarve Eshtehardi

VP, Development

Sarve brings over 15 years of real estate expertise to Highgate. She previously served as Vice President of Acquisition and Head of Real Estate at Butler Hospitality, leading the national market expansion strategy, and the acquisition and asset management of the real estate portfolio, where she expanded the company’s hospitality footprint from five locations in NYC to 35 locations across 13 top 25 markets.

Sarve’s professional career has been concentrated in institutional commercial real estate roles in hotel acquisitions, investment banking and development. Prior to joining Butler Hospitality, Sarve was Director of Acquisitions and Development for GFI Hospitality, handling acquisitions, fundraising, development and asset management across a portfolio of full service and boutique hotels. Sarve has held previous roles with JLL’s Hotel Investment Banking team, Tishman Speyer and RealFoundations.

Sarve earned her M.B.A from NYU Stern School of Business with specializations in Real Estate and Corporate Finance and holds a B.A. from the University of California Irvine. Additionally, she is an active board member of the Urban Land Institute – Young Leaders Group, the Stern Real Estate Club Alumni Board and is a member of the WX Women in Real Estate Mentorship committee.

SEshtehardi@highgate.com

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