Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, has promoted four associates to more senior operational positions: Ron Mader was promoted to SVP, operations and Margie Vito to the newly created role of SVP, operations and transitions, while Androse Bell and Bob Kisker were promoted to general manager/regional director of operations. Additionally, the company named Robert Babst director of operations for select brands.
“Throughout their careers, whether with HVMG or elsewhere, these individuals have been instrumental to the success of their hotels, from securing the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond status to winning brand Hotel of the Year honors,” said Robert S. Cole, president/CEO, HVMG. “Each brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to her or his new position, and I look forward to their continued success as their roles expand in recognition for all they have achieved.”
Ron Mader
HVMG’s former regional VP, operations, Mader has earned a reputation for mentoring and advancing the careers of dozens of company leaders, according to the company. In his new role, he oversees the company’s full-service hotel portfolio. He was the recipient of HVMG’s 2012 General Manager of the Year award and was promoted to his previous role in 2013. Prior to joining HVMG, heworked with Lodgian and Interstate Hotels & Resorts as a general manager, as well as in leadership roles in F&B management, rooms division management and sales & marketing.
Margie Vito
A 30-plus-year hospitality veteran, Vito joined HVMG in 2006 and most recently led the company’s select-service portfolio while developing a team of general managers, regional directors and area general managers. In her new role, she is responsible for three distinct areas: operational leadership of a portfolio of HVMG hotels; leading the on-boarding and stabilization process for new hotels joining the HVMG portfolio; and leading operational and training & development initiatives across the entire portfolio.
Androse Bell
Since 2021, Bell has served as the lead general manager for the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach and the Delta Hotel by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront in Florida. Prior to joining the Hard Rock as hotel manager, he held the same position at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Melbourne Beach Oceanfront in Florida and was rooms division manager at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores, FL. He joined HVMG’s Circle of Excellence in 2019 and won HVMG’s General Manager of the Year award in 2020. In his new role, he will continue as general manager at the Hard Rock Hotel with additional oversight of a handful of other resort and lifestyle properties.
Bob Kisker
Kisker joined the Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Center as general manager in 2018 upon HVMG’s acquisition of the hotel. Within the first year of his leadership and prior to a major renovation, he assembled and led a new team of leaders that grew RevPAR Index and passed the Hilton Quality Assurance Audit for the first time in six years, the company reports. Prior to joining HVMG, he held several positions with The Dow Hotel Company, starting as the regional director and general manager for the Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. In his new role, he will continue as general manager of Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Center, as well as oversee several of HVMG’s Hilton-branded hotels.
Robert Babst
A nearly 20-year hospitality operations veteran, he most recently oversaw a portfolio of Marriott and Hilton hotels as regional director of operations for InterMountain Management. Prior to that, he held property-level leadership positions with TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotel Group. Babst has received multiple awards for his leadership positions at numerous full- and select-service brands, including the TownePlace Suites Diamond General Manager of the Year Award, TownePlace Suites Diamond Circle Award and Marriott’s Chairman’s Award.