General Counsel And Corporate Secretary
Charlotte, North Carolina, Us
Responsible for the legal, risk management, and corporate secretarial functions of the largest lodging REIT in North America (by unit and room count) and its paired-share operating company. The combined enterprise (NASDAQ:STAY, since taken private) owned approximately 600 properties, employed over 7,000 team members, earned over $1.3 billion in annual revenues, and had an enterprise value of over $6.2 billion.Hired one year after IPO, with the company’s private equity sponsors owning 70% of the stock and controlling the two Boards of Directors. Served as de facto chief strategy officer to new CEO in identifying, evaluating, and recommending strategic options for the company’s post-exit direction. Managed the company’s transition from controlled to non-controlled status, including working directly with Boards and CEO to identify and recruit new independent directors and implement strategic direction. New strategic initiatives included enhanced asset management function, real estate dispositions and purchases, creation of a hotel management platform for third-party hotel owners and creation of a franchise program.