Summary:
- Pierce and Leer will become Sonesta co-CEOs, succeeding John Murray.
- Pierce has been on Sonesta’s executive team since 2021, leading global franchise growth.
- Leer has led AlerisLife Inc. as president and CEO since 2022.
Keith Pierce and Jeff Leer will become co-CEOs of Sonesta International Hotels Corp. on April 1. They will succeed John Murray, who is retiring from Sonesta and his role as executive vice president of The RMR Group on March 31.
Pierce is executive vice president and president of franchise and development at Sonesta and Leer is executive vice president at The RMR Group, Sonesta said in a statement.
Pierce has been on Sonesta’s executive leadership team since 2021, leading the expansion of its global franchising operations. He previously held executive roles at The Passionality Group, Wyndham Hotel Group and Cendant Corp.
Leer, a member of RMR’s management committee, has held senior finance and accounting roles at the organization since 2013, most recently serving as president and CEO of AlerisLife Inc. since 2022. In that role, he led AlerisLife’s post-pandemic recovery, increasing senior living net operating income by 440 percent, the statement said.
Pierce and Leer issued a joint statement.
“We are honored to lead Sonesta into its next phase of growth,” they said. “Over the past several years, Sonesta has transformed its management and franchise operations, technology and commercial infrastructure under John’s leadership, creating a strong foundation for the future. Building on this progress, we are committed to advancing Sonesta’s ‘asset-right,’ franchise-focused growth strategy, leveraging innovative technology and driving operational excellence to expand market share and deliver an exceptional guest experience across all segments.”
In October, Phil Hugh became chief development officer at Sonesta, succeeding Brian Quinn, who resigned to join Equinox Hospitality as senior advisor. The Florida-based company owns, manages and franchises more than 1,000 properties, including 69 hotels managed for Service Properties Trust.
