3 management companies announce executive appointments

Three hotel management companies have announced new leadership appointments in recent days.

Meyer Jabara

Hotel management and ownership company Meyer Jabara Hotels appointed Richard Sprecher to VP of development. The 40-year hospitality veteran will focus on growing the company’s third-party hotel management contracts as well as structuring joint venture agreements, obtaining hotel receivership assignments and identifying hotels the company should acquire. 

Operating from MJH’s new development office in Rolling Meadows, Ill., Sprecher will also spearhead a new distressed asset division—Hospitality Strategic Services—designed to assist banks and special servicers in dealing effectively with hotel assets in their portfolios.

Richard Sprecher

“Amidst today’s economy, owners, banks, and special servicers need an experienced and engaged management company that understands the operational and legal intricacies that come along with the receivership process,” Sprecher said. “Meyer Jabara Hotels is expert at ensuring that assets and cash flow are protected. The company has weathered every economic storm, and it will continue to navigate the challenges ahead and steer its hotels to recovery. This is just one of many reasons why I joined the Meyer Jabara Hotels team—plus, many hotel franchise executives told me that they are one of the best management groups in the business and they are nice people, too. I look forward to working with a company comprised of engaged and responsive hoteliers who come to work every day willing to do whatever it takes to support their hotels and each other. I am confident that with MJ leading the way, the future will be bright for those they serve.”
 
Sprecher is a senior hotel executive and dealmaker in all areas of hospitality. He comes to Meyer Jabara Hotels from Aimbridge Hospitality, where he served as vice president of business development for 11 years. Before that, he served as director of franchise sales for Choice Hotels International where he sold more than 200 hotel franchises. Before joining Choice, Sprecher held senior positions with Amerihost Properties, Bradbury Suites and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts. In those positions he directed and was involved in the opening of new properties from 115 to 320 keys, in the full-service, luxury, and limited-service hotel sectors.    
 
“Rich is in sync with every aspect of the hotel business, and the experience, integrity and knowledge he brings to the table is extraordinary,” said MJH President Justin Jabara. “He’s a hard-working guy who gets things done right, and he’s spent a lot of time developing markets that we haven’t been in for a while. More importantly, Rich has made a positive impact on every person he’s worked with throughout his career, and we are delighted to have him on board to expand our third-party management portfolio and grow into additional receivership assignments.”

Hotel Equities

Bryan DeCort

Hotel ownership, management and development company Hotel Equities promoted Bryan DeCort to the position of COO. In his role, DeCort will be responsible for enterprisewide performance, profitability and corporate strategy for the company's portfolio of more than 160 hotels and resorts throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

DeCort joined Hotel Equities in 2017 as SVP of operations and most recently served in the role of executive vice president. He was the architect for a comprehensive internal reorganization while the firm simultaneously added more than 50 hotels, 1,700 associates and opened three regional office locations. 

“Bryan is a natural servant leader ... that attribute, coupled with his appetence for driving performance and accountability make him the right leader for this critical role,” said Brad Rahinsky, president and CEO of HE. “The COO role allows Bryan to do what he does best…focus on the people, their aspirations and the overall performance of the organization. I couldn’t be more confident and proud to move forward with Bryan at the helm of HE’s operations.”
 

Preserving the company culture remains a key focus for DeCort. “This opportunity allows me to shift from a tactical to a more strategic approach moving forward,” DeCort said. “That’s only possible because we were intent on growing the company in a strategic way with the right people. We hired the best talent in the business and I’m so proud of the team we’ve put together. My commitment is to continue providing guidance and support ... while ensuring we create continued growth opportunities for associates and stakeholders. This is how we get better.”

While overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operations, DeCort also plays a critical role in all owner, investor and brand relationships. With more than 30 years of diverse hospitality experience, he has held progressive executive leadership positions with Marriott, Renaissance, Sheraton & Omni Hotels. DeCort holds a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Central Florida where he concentrated in hospitality management and marketing.

McKibbon Hospitality

Matthew Ram
Matthew Ram

Hotel management company McKibbon Hospitality has appointed Matthew Ram VP of acquisitions.

Bringing more than 10 years of financial analysis expertise to McKibbon, Ram will be responsible for leading the charge as the family-owned and operated company moves into the acquisition space, managing deal sourcing, underwriting and investment analysis, acquisitions, dispositions, asset management, transaction support and investor relations.

Before joining McKibbon, Ram most recently served as investment manager for the Tampa-based commercial real estate investment, development and management company Liberty Group, where he oversaw real estate investment activity, conducting investment analysis, financial planning and more. Over the course of his career, Ram has held financial analyst positions with companies including J.J. Haines and Co., Wells Fargo and John Hopkins Hospital’s Department of Radiology.

Ram holds a bachelor of science in finance from the University of South Florida and serves on its Real Estate Investment Council board.