Kristina D'Amico has joined JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality group as vice president within the company’s Hotels’ Asset Management team. In her new role, D'Amico will be responsible for client service delivery and portfolio growth in the Southern United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.
International Experience
D'Amico spent 14 years with HVS Consulting & Valuation in Miami, where she valued more than $5 billion in hospitality-driven real estate. “During my time at HVS, I developed a really strong foundation in hotel valuation, market analysis [and] investment feasibility in the Caribbean and Latin America,” she told Hotel Management, noting that she specialized in international work. At HVS, she also learned about mixed-use developments with branded residential components and all-inclusive resorts.
After 14 years at HVS, D'Amico was “really eager” to transition into a role that would let her take on “a more hands-on approach in driving asset performance and value creation for owners.” JLL Hotel Group presented her with an opportunity to leverage her background in analytics and appraisals and get directly involved in asset-management strategies, owner relations and operational decision making. “So it really just felt like a natural progression for me to take the skills I have and develop my skill sets in a more hands-on approach with owners.”
D'Amico has international consulting experience across 23 islands in the Caribbean Basin, Mexico and other countries across Latin America. “I really learned how to understand the different nuances of these markets,” she said, noting different regulatory environments, operational challenges in each of the different regions, currency fluctuations and different concepts that owners and investors tend not to see in the United States. “All that experience in the international space really equips me to better help enhance asset performance and unlock value for clients out of the country.”
A number of new projects in resort destinations have limited staff that can work on-site, D’Amico said. In her new role, she hopes to help hotels develop stronger operating teams and find people to work in markets that they typically would not consider. “Since the pandemic, there's been a lot of interest in the region, and the pipeline has been just growing dramatically over the last few years.”
Growing a Platform
Based in JLL's Miami office, D'Amico will report to Executive Vice President Katie Krieger. “My international perspective, and being located in Miami, will really help … grow our platform into these areas that we haven't been working in as much over the last couple years,” D’Amico said.
"Kristina's extensive international experience and deep understanding of the hospitality sector make her an invaluable addition to our team," Krieger said in a statement. " Her expertise will enhance our client service capabilities throughout the Southern United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, while simultaneously expanding our regional influence."
"We're thrilled to welcome Kristina to JLL," said Dan Peek, president, JLL Hotels & Hospitality, Americas. "Her proven track record in hospitality real estate valuation and consulting will enhance our asset management capabilities and drive value for our clients."
D'Amico holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance with a minor in Hospitality Studies from Florida International University, where she currently is completing her MBA in Real Estate.
JLL’s Global Hotel Asset Management practice currently oversees 135 hotels with nearly 46,000 rooms valued at more than $15 billion.