Hospitality Asset Managers Association Announces 2023 Board of Directors
January 31, 2023
Officials of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (“HAMA”) today announced the 2023 board of directors of the organization. The diverse members of the board include a wide range of hospitality industry professionals with decades of experience under their belt.
Appointed at the group’s semi-annual conference, the new members include:
Derrick Yee, Placemakr, CHAM – President
Sarah Gulla, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, CHAM – Vice-President
Chad Sorensen, CHMWarnick, CHAM – Membership Chair
Kerry Gaber, Host Hotels & Resorts – Treasurer
Justin Epps, BARINGS – Marketing Chair
Dina Winder, Highgate, CHAM – Industry Chair
David Danieli, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust – International Chair
Adam Tegge, Ashford, CHAM – Education Chair
Matthew Arrants, The Arrants Company, CHAM – 2022 President
Carly Thorp, McWhinney – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair
Emily Miller, Atrium Holding Company – At-Large Board Member
“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,” said Derrick Yee, HAMA’s newly appointed president. “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 vice president of asset management for Placemakr, an innovator in the hospitality living sector that seeks to maximize real estate value by creating the ability to flexibly use inventory for either multi-family or hospitality stays. Prior to 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 wide range of hospitality products, ranging from select-service to luxury and gaming resorts and ranging in size from 120 to over 4,000 rooms. He has maintained direct oversight on more than $3.0B in assets, with yearly revenues ranging from $10 – $200M. He also has overseen more than $75M in renovations and repositionings, as well as assisted in the underwriting more than $300M in acquisitions. Yee earned both his Certified Hotel Asset Manager (CHAM) and Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) designations. Yee attended Cornell University, where he received both a Masters in Management in Hospitality (MMH) and his Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
“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.
About HAMA
HAMA members are involved in asset management, acquisition, financing and disposition of hotels and resorts and are directly responsible for making decisions concerning capital investments, renovations, asset repositioning, operational policies and management selection. Its U.S. members represent more than 3,500 hotels and resorts across every major brand, accounting for 775,000 hotel rooms, 250,000 employees, $40 billion in annual revenue and $3 billion in capital expenditures. The organization boasts an additional 245 international affiliate members, as well.