At its semiannual conference, the Hospitality Asset Managers Association announced its 2023 board of directors.
The new members are:
- President: Derrick Yee, VP of asset management at Placemakr
- Vice president: Sarah Gulla, SVP of asset management at Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
- Membership chair: Chad Sorensen, managing director and COO at CHMWarnick
- Treasurer: Kerry Gaber, market VP of asset management at Host Hotels & Resorts
- Marketing chair: Justin Epps, managing director of the hotel group at Barings
- Industry chair: Dina Winder, SVP of asset management at Highgate
- International chair: David Danieli, SVP of asset management at Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
- Education chair: Adam Tegge, VP of acquisitions at Ashford
- 2022 President: Matthew Arrants, principal of The Arrants Company
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion chair: Carly Thorp, VP of asset management at McWhinney
- At-large board member: Emily Miller, VP of asset management at Atrium Holding Co.
“As the new HAMA president for 2023, I look forward to furthering several of the initiatives started in 2022, including expanding our outreach programs to groups underrepresented in our industry, as well as to our university partners to continue to mentor students who are interested in a career in asset management,” Yee said in a statement. “Additionally, I will work with our board to expand the education and networking opportunities we provide for our members to ensure they have access to valuable opportunities to increase on their knowledge base."
A veteran hospitality investment and asset management specialist with more than 15 years of experience in hotel asset management, acquisitions development and hotel operations, Yee currently serves as VP of asset management for Placemakr. Before joining Placemakr, Yee served in senior asset management roles at Watermark Lodging Trust, Istithmar World/Dubai World and the Chartres Lodging Group. His portfolio experience has included a variety of hospitality products, ranging from select-service to luxury and gaming resorts and ranging in size from 120 to more than 4,000 rooms. He has maintained direct oversight on more than $3 billion in assets, with yearly revenues ranging from $10 to $200 million. He also has overseen more than $75 million in renovations and repositionings, as well as assisted in the underwriting more than $300 million in acquisitions. Yee earned both his Certified Hotel Asset Manager and Certified Hotel Administrator designations and attended Cornell University, where he received both a masters in management in hospitality and his masters in business administration.
“The new board will continue to work diligently to make sure we represent the interest of our members within the industry and the many organizations with whom we partner,” Yee added.