Phil Norman is executive vice-president of people resources and development for third-party hospitality management company Twenty Four Seven Hotels. Previously, he was chief human resources officer with Canyon Ranch where he operated human resources functions for 1,840 U.S. employees across hotels and cruise ships.
Norman will provide oversight for talent management, including leadership development, organizational capability and change management in this newly created role, the company said. He also held similar positions as human resources director at the Homestead, America’s oldest resort property dating to 1766, and the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, where he oversaw 1,250 team members, while ensuring safety and building an inclusive environment.
“With 35 years of hospitality human resources experience, Phil is the ideal candidate to take over our people resources and development team as well as provide immediate support to our on-property teams,” said David Wani, CEO for Twenty Four Seven Hotels. “His performance at both the hotel and corporate levels has been amazing, creating workplaces where every associate is gratified by their work and where they feel they belong. Phil’s reputation of aligning systems and processes and his focus on workplace culture create the potential for exceptional stakeholder returns and in turn support the growth of the company.”
Norman is a senior certified professional by the Society for Human Resource Management and Senior Professional in Human Resources by HRCI.
“We are confident Phil will successfully recruit and retain top talent for the company even in the current challenging economic and social conditions," said Drew Hardy, president of Twenty Four Seven Hotels. “The creation of Phil’s role is a natural next step toward Twenty Four Seven Hotels’ continued success, one with a high focus on workplace culture, diversity and inclusivity in the hotel industry.”
Lallani & Fan Recognized for Lifetime Excellence in Hospitality at CLIC
Dorraine Lallani, senior director of asset management at Westmont Hospitality Group, and Joseph Fan, president of Brighton Management, will receive a lifetime achievement award from the California Lodging Investment Conference. They will be honored at the Westin Long Beach on March 5 to 6.
Lallani, former senior vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, specializes in hotel acquisitions, due diligence, franchise relations and asset dispositions. Fan founded Brighton Management in 1994, serving Los Angeles, San Diego and Northern California, CLIC said in a statement.
“Dorraine and Joseph have already made lasting impressions in the California hospitality industry, and we look forward to their continued contributions,” said Craig Sullivan, CLIC’s founder and president. “From managing more than 500 hotels worldwide for Westmont Hospitality to founding a leading property management firm in Greater Los Angeles, both have forged respected careers in California.”
Lallani managed a portfolio of select- and full-service hotels, handling properties from $2 million to more than $50 million and overseeing franchise development. Fan supports nonprofits, including the Special Olympics and Give Kids the World Foundation, and serves on the boards of the Taiwanese Hotel & Motel Association of Southern California and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Advisory Board.
CLIC is offering final reduced pricing of $650 through March 4, the statement said. The door price will be $750.
James Risoleo, president and CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts, will headline the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference on March 20.
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Jim Risoleo to Exchange Hospitality Insights at Bharat Shah Leadership Series
James Risoleo, president and CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts, will join Mit Shah, CEO of Noble Investment Group, for the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference on March 20. The series, honoring Bharat Shah, is presented in partnership with Noble Investment Group and Georgia State University's Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration.
“Jim and I have shared a deep bond and friendship throughout my career, during which I’ve had the privilege of witnessing his dynamic vision, unwavering leadership, and remarkable generosity,” said Shah. “His ability to propel Host Hotels & Resorts to extraordinary success is a testament to his strategic brilliance and deep expertise. More than that, Jim embodies the essence of servant leadership, always championing our industry and inspiring those around him to reach new heights.”
Risoleo joined Host, an S&P 500 lodging REIT and luxury hotel owner, in 1996 and became president and CEO in 2017, the statement said. He has more than 35 years of experience in finance and real estate, including roles at Interstate Hotels Corp. and Westinghouse Electric Corp. He holds a business degree and a juris doctor from Duquesne University and is a member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania bars. He also serves on boards of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Nareit, and the U.S. Travel Association’s CEO Roundtable.
Previous Bharat Shah Leadership Speakers include the late Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International; Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton; Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation; the late Mark Elliott, president of Hodges Ward Elliott; Vince Carter and Grant Hill, NBA and NCAA basketball legends, business leaders, and philanthropists; Sara Blakely, founder and executive chairwoman of SPANX; Jesse Itzler, New York Times best-selling author and entrepreneur; and Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
Leslie Hale, president and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust, was featured in 2024.
“Each year, Mit invites us into the living rooms of our country’s most influential leaders, allowing us to witness the personal and professional journeys that have defined them,” said Lee Hunter, chairman of the Hunter Hotel Conference. “Jim’s story, his insights, and the leadership lessons he has cultivated throughout his remarkable career will leave an indelible impact on our students and conference attendees, inspiring them to carve out their own paths to success.”
Indian American hoteliers, including Shah, Mitch Patel, president and CEO of Vision Hospitality, and Al Patel, president of Baywood Hotels, were speakers at the 2024 Hunter Conference.
George Terpilowski is now senior vice president of operations at Salamander Collection, the luxury hotel company founded by Sheila Johnson. He will oversee day-to-day operations across the company’s hotels and resorts.
“George has an outstanding background in luxury operations with acclaimed independent and branded gateway city and resort properties,” wrote Prem Devadas, Salamander Collection president, in a Facebook post. “His leadership style will complement Salamander’s unique approach toward luxury, while his experience will allow us to continue to deliver results and enhance our growing reputation as a hospitality partner of choice.”
Terpilowski was regional vice president, Northeast, at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, overseeing Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston, Raffles Boston and The Plaza Hotel in New York. He also served as managing director and regional vice president of Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda.
He began his career at Grand Heritage Hotels, managing The Brazilian Court in Palm Beach, Union Station Nashville, and The Clift Hotel San Francisco.
Terpilowski said Salamander Collection is a respected hospitality company, and he is pleased to join its culture.
“The company’s portfolio features extraordinary properties, and I look forward to working with the collection’s extremely talented managers and service professionals as we continue to grow,” he said.
In October, Johnson won the 2024 Peggy Berg Castell Award at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix, presented by the AHLA Foundation’s ForWard initiative to recognize contributions to advancing women in hospitality.
Michael Brunner Leads Peachtree Group’s Credit Investments Growth
Michael Brunner is the new executive vice president of credit investments at Peachtree Group. In this role, he will oversee the company’s credit platform and lead strategic growth initiatives.
Brunner has more than 25 years of financial experience, handling securitized products, asset finance and commercial real estate, Peachtree Group said in a statement.
“Michael’s leadership in securitized finance and commercial real estate finance makes him an invaluable addition to our team,” said Michael Harper, Peachtree Group’s president for hotel lending. “His deep institutional relationships and ability to streamline deal execution will strengthen our credit platform, broaden our market reach, and enhance our portfolio. With Michael on board, we are well-positioned to optimize our credit strategies, unlock new capital sources, and drive superior risk-adjusted returns for our stakeholders.”
Brunner previously worked at ATLAS SP Partners, overseeing warehouse finance and securitized products, the statement said. He also held leadership roles at Credit Suisse in the Securitized Products Asset Finance division, focusing on commercial real estate finance and commercial mortgage-backed securities.
Earlier, he spent 18 years in real estate capital markets at J.P. Morgan, managing loan securitization and underwriting teams and working with bond investment clients on new issue offerings.
Brunner said he looks forward to joining Peachtree Group as it expands its credit platform.
“Peachtree’s ability to pivot across the capital stack, combined with its track record in private credit, positions it as a commercial real estate market leader,” he said. “I look forward to contributing to its continued success and growth.”
Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by CEO and managing principal Greg Friedman, managing principal and CFO Jatin Desai, and principal Mitul Patel.
Peachtree deployed $1.6 billion in credit transactions in 2024, up 54 percent from 2023. Hospitality and multifamily led with $876 million and $392.3 million, followed by $297.4 million across industrial, land, mixed-use, retail, office and single-family residential assets.
Harper said Peachtree Group’s credit platform has consistently delivered strong results, supported by a team of professionals dedicated to originating, underwriting, and managing private credit investments.
“With Michael’s leadership, the credit platform is poised for further growth, reinforcing its position as an industry leader,” he said.
In January, Peachtree Group named Jordan Hylton senior vice president of multifamily acquisition for its Delaware Statutory Trust platform, which recently added multifamily investments.
AAHOA Elevates Geetika Rana & Dennis Smith to Key Leadership Roles
Geetika Rana is now AAHOA’s executive vice president of membership and events, while Dennis Smith is the new executive vice president of business development. Rana, with AAHOA since 2012, and Smith, who joined in 2022, were most recently SVP of membership and VP of business development, respectively.
"Geetika's extensive experience with our members and events, combined with Dennis's expertise in building strategic partnerships, will significantly enhance AAHOA's ability to meet the evolving needs of our members,” Blake said. “These leadership advancements position AAHOA for continued success in leading the hospitality industry forward."
Rana said she is honored to take on the role and continue serving AAHOA's members, partners and the hospitality industry.
"Our members are the backbone of this association, and I look forward to growing and strengthening the community through enhanced programs, events, and opportunities," said Rana, who previously served as general manager of two hotels.
Smith called this an exciting time for AAHOA and its partners.
"I look forward to taking on this expanded leadership role and fostering stronger connections that bring value to our members and partners,” he said.
Meanwhile, AAHOA also promoted Alyson Corey to vice president of conventions and Frederick Thompson to vice president of finance and strategic planning.
"I am thrilled about the promotions of Alyson and Frederick," Blake said. "Alyson's dedication to delivering exceptional conventions and Frederick's strategic financial expertise will further strengthen AAHOA's efforts to lead the hospitality industry into the future."
Blake and Neal Patel of Patel Partners were named among The Hill’s Top Lobbyists of 2024 for their advocacy for the hotel industry.