Companies are making additions to their employee rosters, including both Aimbridge and PM Hotel Group adding two new execs.
Aimbridge makes new hires
Aimbridge Hospitality, a leading global hospitality company, is continuing to strengthen its roster of top industry talent with the hiring of two professionals in emerging focus areas: Tim Pruiett, SVP, acquisitions and investments, and Emily Gerstner, VP, philanthropic partnerships & community outreach.
In his new role, Pruiett is responsible for driving portfolio growth through M&A, corporate partnerships and investments in hotel management and related businesses.
“Tim’s talent and keen understanding of the investment and acquisitions landscape positions him to be a leader at Aimbridge from day one,” said Thomas Song, CFO. “He has been at the forefront of large-scale transactions aligned with corporate growth throughout his career, and this deep skill set aligns with the dynamic trajectory for growth we are fostering at Aimbridge as we continue to deliver exceptional experiences for our owners.”
Pruiett brings 12 years of experience with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in various finance and strategy roles. In his positions leading M&A and strategic investments at Wyndham, he executed more than $2.5 billion in transactions that grew the company’s hotel portfolio and diversified its brand mix, including acquisitions of the La Quinta, AmericInn and Dolce brands and associated hotel management companies, as well as strategic growth partnerships with multiple hotel investors and developers under Wyndham’s brands. Prior to Wyndham, he started his career in investment banking at JPMorgan.
In her new role, Gerstner oversees the company’s charitable foundation initiatives including fundraising, donor relations and community engagement and visibility. Additionally, she manages Aimbridge’s Corporate CARE Committee to help foster the positive and high-performing culture that keeps Aimbridge associates highly engaged and thriving, according to the company.
“Emily’s career focus on philanthropic strategy and programming will be essential for Aimbridge as we strengthen our commitments to the communities we serve and the people on our team around the world,” said Ann Christenson, chief HR officer. “We are inspired by Emily’s vision for empowering our colleagues and impacting the world around us, and we look forward to applying her skills across all aspects of the company.”
Gerstner brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit industry, with a proven track record in strategic development, account management and team leadership. Most recently, she worked at the American Heart Association, where she served as VP of development leading the Go Red for Women movement in Dallas. She began her career with the YMCA in Wichita, KS, as a program director.
PM Hotel Group makes additions
PM Hotel Group, a leading hotel management company, has made additions to its business development team. These additions follow the company’s acquisitions of Paramount Management Associates and Modus Hotels in the first quarter.
Raina Taillon joins the business development team as VP, lifestyle + luxury, a newly created role. Drawing on her expertise in development, acquisitions and dispositions, feasibility and underwriting, together with her passion for experiential hospitality, brand development, architecture and design, she leads new business growth within this sector. Her previous roles include positions with Sage Hospitality Group, LaSalle Hotel Properties and Hilton where she was part of the corporate luxury &corporate development team.
David Hale has been named VP, development + acquisitions. He leads new business growth concentrating on expansion of the franchised core hotel portfolio, sourcing and analyzing acquisition opportunities, working with owners seeking additional opportunities and overseeing the expansion of third-party management contracts. His previous roles include positions with Paramount Hotel Group, Spire Hospitality and Hilton Hotels where he held various regional roles and led many brand training leadership courses in revenue management, sales and operations.
“Raina and David both bring extraordinary talent and passion to their roles and are valuable additionsto our team,” said Joseph Bojanowski, president, PM Hotel Group. “Their insights, expertise and relationships across the industry positions us to scale our success and positions us for exciting development opportunities.”
John Starr joins Timbers Company as CFO
Timbers Company, a leading developer and operator of boutique luxury resorts and private residence clubs, has appointed John Starr to CFO.
With more than 20 years of financial management experience, he joins the company’s executive leadership team in Winter Park, FL, further supporting its strategic growth and new locations and announcements to come.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome John Starr to the Timbers Company team,” said Greg Spencer, CEO, Timbers Company. “John brings a deep experience gained through years of leadership in the REIT industry and will play an important role in the future growth of Timbers as a company.”
As CFO, Starr oversees and manages business development and financial operations across the Timbers portfolio, including external capital raising efforts for future projects, managing Timbers’ investments, investor relations and management of the company’s accounting, acquisitions, asset management and information technology departments.
He previously served as COO of CNL Financial Group, specifically in REIT fund management where his principal area of focus included developing and implementing strategies to maximize the financial performance of CNL’s real estate portfolios. Before serving as COO, he also served the company as CNL Private Equity Corp’s SVP, asset management, COO of CNL Healthcare Properties II and chief portfolio officer of both Global Income Trust and Global Growth Trust.
He began his career at First Union Bank as a commercial lender.
