Rob Rain has joined OTO Development as CEO. Rain was previously the president of the Industrial Division at Johnson Development Associates. OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, is a private company that develops, owns, and operates select-service and lifestyle hotels throughout the continental United States, many with proprietary restaurant concepts.
As chief executive, Rain will oversee strategic initiatives designed to drive growth across OTO’s portfolio, with an emphasis on increasing efficiency and maximizing profitability while continuing to elevate the guest experience.
Rain is carrying on the legacy of OTO’s former CEOs: the late Corry Oakes, who led the company for its first 18 years, and Todd Turner, who recently retired.
“Rob understands OTO’s culture, and we are excited about the company’s prospects under his leadership,” The Johnson Group CEO Geordy Johnson said in a statement.
Rain has worked with The Johnson Group family of companies for more than a decade, initially working in private equity with WJ Partners. In 2014, he was named president of the Industrial Division at Johnson Development Associates where, over the course of 10 years, he grew the platform into one of the country’s largest private developers of warehouse space.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Rain spent four years as an infantry officer before beginning his private sector career. During tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, his leadership and heroism in combat merited a Bronze Star with Valor.
“It’s a privilege to take on this new role within The Johnson Group,” said Rain, who graduated magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University and also earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. “My predecessors built a resilient, successful company. I’m excited by the opportunity to work alongside OTO’s 2,700 team members to continue to build upon OTO’s legacy and successful track record.”
Rain will be based out of the company’s corporate headquarters in downtown Spartanburg, S.C.