Hospitality Ventures Management Group, an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, has promoted four associates to more senior operational positions: Ron Mader was promoted to SVP of operations, Margie Vito to the newly created role of SVP of operations and transitions while Androse Bell and Bob Kisker were promoted to general manager & regional director of operations, respectively.
The company also named Robert Babst director of operations for select brands.
"Throughout their careers, whether with HVMG or elsewhere, these individuals have been instrumental to the success of their hotels, from securing the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond status to winning brand Hotel of the Year honors,” HVMG President and CEO Robert Cole said in a statement. “Each brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to her or his new position, and I look forward to their continued success as their roles expand in recognition for all they have achieved.”
Formerly HVMG’s regional VP of operations, Mader will now oversee the company’s full-service hotel portfolio. Before joining HVMG, Mader worked with Lodgian and Interstate Hotels & Resorts as a general manager as well as in leadership roles in F&B management, rooms division management and sales & marketing.
Vito joined HVMG in 2006 and most recently led the company’s select-service portfolio while developing a team of general managers, regional directors and area general managers. In her new role as SVP of operations and transitions, she will be responsible for three distinct areas: operational leadership of a portfolio of HVMG hotels; leading the on-boarding and stabilization process for new hotels joining the HVMG portfolio; and leading operational and training & development initiatives across the entire portfolio.
Since 2021, Bell has served as the lead general manager for the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach and the Delta Hotel by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront. Before joining the Hard Rock as hotel manager, Bell held the same position at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Melbourne Beach Oceanfront in Fla. and was rooms division manager at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores, Fla. As general manager and regional director of operations, Bell will continue as general manager at the Hard Rock Hotel with additional oversight of a handful of other resort and lifestyle properties.
Kisker joined the Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Center as general manager in 2018 upon HVMG’s acquisition of the hotel. Before joining HVMG, Kisker held several positions with The Dow Hotel Company, starting as the regional director and general manager for the Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. As general manager and regional director of operations, Kisker will continue as general manager of Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Center and also will oversee several of HVMG’s Hilton branded hotels.
Babst most recently oversaw a portfolio of Marriott and Hilton hotels as regional director of operations for InterMountain Management. He also held property-level leadership positions with TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotel Group.