Sonesta International Hotels Corp. has grown its franchise and development team under Chief Development Officer Brian Quinn, who was appointed in April to support Sonesta’s continued growth as the company reached 15 brands between the managed and franchised portfolios, more than 1,200 locations and more than 100,000 guestrooms.
Sonesta’s five new franchise and development leaders are:
- Mike Castro, SVP of select-service brands. Castro comes to Sonesta with experience in both franchise sales and hotel operations, having spent much of his career at RLH Corp.
- Keith Biumi, SVP of upscale brands. Biumi began his career in hospitality operations and sales and marketing identifying promising business-to-business opportunities. He has previously worked with IHG Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International and Marriott International.
- Chris Leiser, regional VP of upscale brands. Leiser has worked at Wyndham Hotels Group and Choice Hotels.
- Ahmer Naushad, VP of analytics and administration. Naushad has held positions in operations, strategy, investment and asset management at Gencom, Miral Asset Management and Majjd Al Futtaim Properties.
- Mike Higgins, regional VP of upscale brands. Higgins has executed strategic development plans for franchise and management growth at IHG, Choice and Domio.