Omni Hotels Names New Senior Vice President of Development to Lead Aggressive Growth Efforts
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Omni Hotels Names New Senior Vice President of Development to Lead Aggressive Growth Efforts
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - Careers
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This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2007-11-14
Omni Hotels announced that Mike Garcia, formerly the company’s chief financial officer, has been promoted to senior vice president of development, effective immediately. Garcia is charged with extending the brand through new property development. He will also serve as senior vice president of business development for TRT Holdings, Omni’s parent company.
“Mike is a great leader who has excelled in creating an aggressive development plan,” said Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels. “He has helped us capitalize on our ability as a privately held company to partner with other firms and close deals on property developments quickly and effectively.”
Garcia is a 12-year veteran of Omni Hotels and has played a vital role in establishing key accounting and financial reporting procedures when TRT Holdings initially acquired Omni Hotels. He has continued to be a strong leader in the organization, taking his strategic expertise beyond the financial realm into numerous areas of the organization. In the last few years, Garcia has taken on a more active role in Omni’s development efforts, and he will now be able to further accelerate aggressive growth strategies in his new position.
Despite the recent slowing in hospitality development due to limited credit, Omni Hotels has experienced a sustained period of growth in the past 18 months with new developments and major projects across North America:
* In March 2006, Omni purchased the La Mansion del Rio and the Watermark Hotel & Spa, the number two hotel in the U.S. according to Condé Nast Traveler.
* In August 2006, Omni broke ground in Fort Worth to mark the beginning of construction of the $170 million Omni Fort Worth Hotel and Condominiums. The 604-room, 34-story hotel and 89 luxury condos will be located across the street from the expanded downtown convention center and within walking distance to the numerous restaurants, entertainment and cultural sites.
* In October 2006, Omni announced a $60 million transformation to the Omni Tucson National Resort. The project will double the size of the luxury boutique resort and include several new culinary concepts keeping with the property’s award winning golf course, spa and recreational facilities.
* In July 2007, another property was added to the Texas portfolio with the purchase of a former Sheraton hotel in downtown Houston with Songy Partners of Atlanta. The comprehensive conversion of the property will reduce the number of guest rooms from 800 to approximately 400 oversized rooms and concierge suites. The property will also include several culinary options and an extensive fitness and spa facility. The hotel is located just blocks from the convention center and adjacent to the Houston Pavilions project, anchored by a House of Blues and Lucky Strike Lanes.
* Also in July 2007, Omni announced the purchase of 90 coastal acres in Pontoque, Mexico that will be home to a boutique luxury hotel, villas and condominiums. The first phase is expected to open in 2010 and include exceptional golf, spa and culinary venues.
* In September 2007, the building housing the current Omni Austin Hotel in the downtown area was purchased by the company. The hotel is located in the heart of Austin’s business and entertainment district, and a major renovation is currently in progress.
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