Six years after joining Trump Hotels as its CEO, Eric Danziger is leaving the company to serve in the same role for The Braintree Group, an Idaho-based family of companies focused on fostering smart and sustainable community advancement and growth. He will assume his new position on March 28.
“I have surely had a unique life experience these past six years,” Danziger told Hotel Business. “An intense time of course, but very meaningful and memorable in every way. The Trump family has been amazing to work for and unwavering in its support of the people and for the business. My team is the best in the business. It was a great pleasure to run Trump Hotels.”
He continued, “Now, however, yet another unique life experience presents—namely the intersection of my personal and professional life. The Braintree Group is an exceptional company. The founders have created an amazing company guided by genuine and meaningful values and principles. The people in the firm are fully committed to those values and principles and are driven with great passion to continue to build and grow their wonderful company.”
In his new role, Danziger will oversee the Braintree entities in the group’s portfolio of companies including real estate investment and development; hospitality management; and venture capital investments.
The company has several business units including Braintree Hospitality (owner/operator of midscale and select-service properties), Braintree Properties (including multifamily and self-storage facilities) and Athlos Academies (development and learning enhancement of Charter Schools), among other business units. The business plan calls for significant growth in each of the business lines, according to Danziger.
“I am thrilled to have the occasion to lead the way forward as we capture the enormous potential in each of the business lines,” he said. “It’s clear to me that the company’s diverse businesses all have significant growth opportunities nationwide. My experience reminds me that when you have talented, energized and passionate people, a thoughtful business plan and a solid execution strategy opportunities in the marketplace are found; great and enduring success follow. And being able to do this domiciled where I already have a home and where some of my family resides is the perfect intersection I referred to.”
He started his hotel career as a bellman at The Fairmont San Francisco at the age of 17 and has served as the head of several of the hotel industry’s leading hotel companies. He joined Trump Hotels following roles as president/CEO, Starwood Hotels; president/COO, Carlson Hotels Worldwide; and president/CEO, Wyndham Hotel Group.
Ryan Van Alfen, cofounder, Braintree, said, “Eric is a grower of companies. We are confident in his leadership experience and proven ability to grow companies and excited by his potential to enhance the Braintree offering, not just in the hospitality industry, but in each sector Braintree is engaged in.”
Jason Kotter, cofounder, Braintree, said, “Eric is a titan of industry. He will bring a depth and breadth of executive prowess previously unseen in the Treasure Valley and further Braintree’s impact in communities across the West.”
At Braintree, Danziger will join his son Evan, who serves as a regional director.