To expand its portfolio and capital partner alliances, Meyer Jabara Hotels has welcomed Ian McAuley as the company’s new chief investment officer.
In this newly created position, he sources acquisition opportunities, equity investors, debt financing and third-party management contracts. His 30 years of publicly traded and privately held real estate experience and hands-on hotel development, operations and ownership expertise will set the course for continued growth and profitability, according to the company.
“Good things really do come to those who wait,” said Justin Jabara, president, Meyer Jabara Hotels. “Ian is the rainmaker we have been searching for—for well over a year. He spent his career raising capital from kitchen tables to Wall Street, cofounded a management company, operated hotels and knows where the money is made. His breadth of experience is profoundly unique in this space. With Ian running the investment side of our business, we can focus more closely on operations, profitability and growth. We welcome him aboard.”
McAuley will relocate from Toronto to the company’s office in West Palm Beach, FL. Short term, he will focus on getting to know the people, culture and operating practices that drive margins and reap investment returns. Midterm, he will speak to the investment community about MJH’s differentiators and focus on securing sources of capital. Long-term, he will seek out capital partners that don’t know about MJH and introduce them to the company’s fundamental principles and buy/develop assets to add to the portfolio.
“Meyer Jabara Hotels has been around for 47 years, and it’s my job to make sure the company is set up to thrive over the next 47,” McAuley said. “What excites me about this new role is there is no rush to monetize the assets or sell off properties; no gun to my head to get deals done. At MJH, there is a different mindset to growth…find the right assets and capital partners, then bring MJ in to provide returns for investors. It’s a great marriage.”
Over the years, McAuley has incorporated more than $2 billion in real estate transactions across North America. His corporate finance experience with private equity and institutional capital partners includes more than 100 ground-up developments and acquisitions, along with several initial public offerings. He also has been instrumental in the growth and expansion of numerous international hospitality companies.
Prior posts include cofounder/CEO/president and director of VM Hotel Acquisition Corp., where he raised $100 million at the company’s IPO on the Toronto Stock Exchange; Canadian president of Aimbridge Hospitality, where he more than tripled the number of Canadian hotel management agreements during his first six months; president of American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP; president/COO of Superior Lodging Corp.; cofounder/EVP of Royop Hospitality Corp.; and cofounder/VP of InnVentures Hospitality Corp.
“Timing is everything,” McAuley said. “Family-owned and operated companies like Meyer Jabara Hotels that span three generations are the ones that are successful. I’m honored that they were not afraid to let a visionary like me in. It’s going to be a win-win-win for everyone. Now it’s time to get to work.”
