Davidson Hospitality Group has made several executive appointments and promotions, including naming Harris White the company’s new CFO and promoting Jason Rabidoux to chief investment officer.
“The combination of newly added, high-level key players and rising internal talent represents our strongest team in the company’s 50-year history,” said Thom Geshay, CEO/president, Davidson Hospitality Group. “With shared core values, this best-in-class leadership will continue fueling success for our greater team members, owners and investors as we enter this next phase of considered growth while continuing to deliver on operational excellence and performance.”
In his role as CFO, White oversees finance, tax, treasury and systems activities to optimize value creation and ensure long-term growth, according to the company. He brings more than 25 years of executive experience to his position with expertise in the luxury lifestyle and premium hospitality space.
Most recently, White served as CFO at Virgin Hotels Collection, driving the financial strategy for the brand’s 19 hotels and resorts in eight countries. During his approximate eight-year tenure at Sage Hospitality as CFO and head of asset management, he was responsible for leading the finance and accounting teams for an organization generating nearly $1 billion in annual system revenue. His career in the hospitality and leisure industries also includes notable success in scaling businesses; sales and acquisitions; and managing multi-unit teams.
Rabidoux has been instrumental to Davidson’s portfolio expansion since 2013, rising within the acquisition & business development team to now leading the company’s growth efforts as CIO. Building upon his previous experience, his expanded scope includes guiding strategic investment, acquisition and disposition activity, along with oversight of asset management and capital allocation.
After 30-plus years with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Nick Gregory joins Davidson as SVP, strategic operations. In this capacity, he develops and evolves operational strategies focused on increased profitability while maintaining high guest satisfaction scores across the company’s portfolio.
Gregory began his career with Kimpton as a hotel doorman in Portland, OR. Moving with the lifestyle brand to six states across the U.S., he climbed the ranks to VP, hotel operations for the Northeast and Florida regions in 2013. Following a brand acquisition by IHG Hotels & Resorts, Gregory was appointed SVP, hotel operations in 2016, where he created a franchise option with Kimpton, resulting in 12 effective property transitions. With an internal restructuring, he accepted a brand experience and delivery position within IHG before joining Davidson.
Robert Morse brings more than three decades of hospitality industry experience specializing in revenue management to his role as VP, revenue management, Davidson Resorts and Davidson Hotels. His responsibilities include developing and executing topline strategies to maximize profitable revenue across rooms and ancillary services within the Davidson Resorts and Davidson Hotels operating verticals. He comes to Davidson after 12 years with Marriott International, most recently serving as regional VP, revenue management for the brand in Canada.
Kyle McCoy takes on the role of VP, learning & organizational development, with demonstrated expertise in global talent development, employee experience and transformation strategy. His background includes leading talent programs across 30 countries for companies like Genuine Parts Company, ThyssenKrupp Elevator and Mercedes-Benz USA.
Michele Smith advances to the newly created position of chief accounting officer after nearly 11 years with the company. She works with White to spearhead accounting and finance efforts.
