HAMA names 2023 board of directors

Officials of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) has named the 2023 board of directors of the organization. The members of the board include a range of hospitality industry professionals with decades of experience under their belt.

Appointed at the group’s semiannual conference, the new members include:

Derrick Yee, Placemakr, president
Sarah Gulla, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, VP
Chad Sorensen, CHMWarnick, membership chair
Kerry Gaber, Host Hotels & Resorts, treasurer
Justin Epps, BARINGS, marketing chair
Dina Winder, Highgate, industry chair
David Danieli, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, international chair
Adam Tegge, Ashford, education chair
Matthew Arrants, The Arrants Company, 2022 president
Carly Thorp, McWhinney, diversity, equity and inclusion chair
Emily Miller, Atrium Holding Company, at-large board member

“As the new HAMA president for 2023, I look forward to furthering several of the initiatives started in 2022, including expanding our outreach programs to groups underrepresented in our industry, as well as to our university partners to continue to mentor students who are interested in a career in asset management,” said Yee. “Additionally, I will work with our board to expand the education and networking opportunities we provide for our members to ensure they have access to valuable opportunities to increase on their knowledge base.”

A veteran hospitality investment and asset management specialist with more than 15 years of experience in hotel asset management, acquisitions development and hotel operations, Yee currently serves as VP, asset management for Placemakr. Prior to Placemakr, he served in senior asset management roles at Watermark Lodging Trust, Istithmar World/Dubai World and the Chartres Lodging Group. His portfolio experience has included a range of hospitality products, ranging from select-service to luxury and gaming resorts and ranging in size from 120 to more than 4,000 rooms. He has maintained direct oversight on more than $3B in assets. He also has overseen more than $75 million in renovations and repositionings, as well as assisted in the underwriting of more than $300 million in acquisitions.

“The new board will continue to work diligently to make sure we represent the interest of our members within the industry and the many organizations with whom we partner,” Yee added.