First Hospitality, an American hotel management and development company, has appointed Kathleen Hollis as chief growth officer, as announced by president and CEO David Duncan.
In her new role, Hollis will lead and manage the business development team and pursue third-party hotel management contracts. This includes leading the growth of the portfolio by further developing relationships with ownership groups and brand partners. Hollis will also identify new target markets, evaluate new developments and hotel acquisitions that align with the company’s growth strategy. In addition, Hollis will represent First Hospitality at major industry conferences and events.
“Kathleen’s seasoned expertise in the lifestyle and full-service sectors directly aligns with First Hospitality’s growth strategy,” said Duncan. “With her strong relationships across financial and investment firms and her deep understanding of emerging markets, Kathleen is well-positioned to help us expand across the U.S. Her leadership will be key as we continue to diversify our portfolio and deliver exceptional results for owners.”
Hollis joins First Hospitality from Evolution Hospitality, the lifestyle division of Aimbridge Hospitality, where she served in various roles since 2014, most recently as the senior vice president of business development. While in this position, Hollis grew Evolution Hospitality’s portfolio from 27 hotels to 90 hotels. Before this, she was a financial analyst at Wells Fargo Bank.
Founded 40 years ago, First Hospitality has a portfolio of branded and independent properties as well as restaurants and bars throughout the United States.
