HVS Alumni: News

ALUMNI NEWS

	HVS Alumnus Wins HICSA Award Former HVS India Associate Director for Consulting and Valuations, Saurabh Gupta, was honored at the HICSA conference held in Mumbai April 7th and 8th. Saurabh is the General Manager of the first Premier Inn in India in Bangalore. In his current role, he has been responsible for the pre-opening of the hotel and is actively involved with the strategic decisions of the group. Prior to joining HVS, Saurabh was with the Taj Group in various hotels and also tried his hand as an entrepreneur. He has written numerous articles on the hospitality industry in India, some of which have been widely quoted. Congratulations, Saurabh!

	Erik Warner and Rebecca Ruf Erik and Rebecca here writing to touch base with everyone since we moved on from HVS in 2001 and 2000, respectively. As many of you know, Rebecca went off to Starwood and worked in their international development group under Karen Rubin, and I was hired by Art Adler of Jones Lang LaSalle to do national hotel brokerage. Fast forward to 2003, and I was hired by a Cargill-backed entity called RHF to oversee hotel investment underwriting, and then in 2004, Rebecca left Starwood to pursue her masters in International Development and Advanced International Economics at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Bologna, Italy. By then, Bec and I had been dating for over three years, and our relationship was put to a test as bi-monthly travels to and from Europe became routine. As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and by 2007, we were married in a little town in California called Napa at a little property called Auberge du Soleil. Within a year, we had our first child, Jakob, and moved out of Tribeca to our current home in Brooklyn, near the Brooklyn Bridge. Presently, I am still with RHF but now as a partner (our outstanding portfolio of hotel investments stands at about $200mm). Our business plan has evolved from being a lender to the industry to a buyer. Over the past four months, we have actively bid on over ten deals and $500mm of hotel assets; sadly, not converting any of those bids to purchases. Rebecca switched gears a bit and is now in the capital markets group of Women’s World Banking (“WWB”). Her organization is the godmother of women’s micro-finance initiatives, supporting a network of 40 microfinance providers and banks in 28 countries that provide financial services to low-income women. What is extremely interesting about WWB is that through loans the size of less than $500, her group has been able to serve over 20 million women, helping them move out of poverty. In general, we are both doing well and look forward to hearing from those of you we have not spoken to in awhile. Should you want to reach us our websites are: http://www.ramsfieldrealestate.com/ and http://www.swwb.org/.

	Joining the Ranks of Alumni An 11-year veteran of HVS Hotel Management, Matthew Kent has left the HVS family after accepting the position of Managing Director of Peter Island Resort & Spa (http://www.peterisland.com/) in the British Virgin Islands. The good news is that Peter Island, with whom we have worked with for over two years, will continue to be one of HVS Hotel Management’s valued Asset Management clients. Matt joined HVS Hotel Management back when it was American Hospitality Management Company as General Manager of a hotel in Boynton Beach, Florida, where he also had regional responsibilities over hotels in Daytona Beach. He was instrumental in developing and opening a hotel in Sebastian, Florida, shortly after joining the company. Within a few years, Matt was promoted to Senior Vice President Operations with responsibility for overseeing the company’s entire portfolio. Matt helped HVS Hotel Management develop an excellent team approach to working with first class and luxury hotels, resorts and lifestyle/boutique hotels. In addition to Peter Island Resort & Spa, HVS’ current Asset Management clients include the Sagamore Hotel, Fisher Island Resort & Spa, Carolina Inn, and a Courtyard by Marriott adjacent to the U. S. Capitol. We’d like to wish Matt the very best and want him to know that he will be sorely missed by all. Matt will be succeeded by Terry Bickhardt, formerly Co-President of Waterford Hotel Group. For more information on HVS Hotel Management please contact Kirby Payne at KPayne@HVSHotelManagement.com.

	Hooked, Booked and Soon to be Cooked HVS New York alumni Gustav C. Bjoern and fiancé Alexandra, a doctor in general medicine working in Copenhagen, have known each other since play school. Romance finally bloomed over New Year’s Eve champers in 2006 when he returned from Boston for Christmas with the family. Gustav and Alexandra have spent much of their courtship in two different cities but all that is set to change after their wedding in May 2010 when Alexandra will move to Wiesbaden where Gustav is currently VP Property Finance with Aareal Bank.

	New York Nuptials HVS New York alumni Susanne Frey and Sunil Hariani tied the knot on July 11, 2009. They are now back in New York after a honeymoon filled with bicycle rides in Maine. The happy couple is looking forward to Honeymoon Part Deux in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam over the forthcoming Christmas holidays.

	Welcome Baby Hugo! HVS London alumni Carine Bonnejean and husband Guillaume Thevenot are delighted to share the arrival of their son Hugo who was born on 3rd July. Mummy and baby are doing very well!

	Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has appointed Karen Rubin SVP/Global Development-Feasibility and Development Policy. She now works with Starwood's divisional development, finance, legal, franchise operations and global brand teams and reports to Simon Turner, president/Global Development. Since joining Starwood in 2000, Karen has held both divisional and global leadership roles in feasibility. Most recently, she supported Starwood's North American division with it feasibility needs. Prior to joining Starwood, Karen worked in a number of senior roles during her 18-year tenure with HVS in New York.

	HVS New York Alum Linda Yang married Garrick Yau in Tarrytown, NY on September 27, 2008. Many HVS alumni were in attendance to help celebrate the big day, including Yoo Mee Pak, Mark Owens, and Alison Tan, as well as Petr Kulic and Lucienne Anhar who traveled all the way from London and Bali. It was a perfect day and the rain held out just long enough to get outdoor photos. After the wedding, the happy couple left for a two week honeymoon, spent at two of Lucienne's amazing Indonesian resorts - Hotel Tugu Bali and her newest resort, Hotel Tugu Lombok. They had a wonderful time and praise Lucienne and her family for their luxury accommodations and amazing hospitality.

GISLE SARHEIM	Gisle Sarheim, HVS New York alumni currently working for the Feasibility & Investment Analysis Hilton International team in London, and Lara Sarheim, who works for HVS London are expecting a little baby boy in late November. Gisle and Lara met at the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne and married in Norway in July 2004. We wish them all the best in their new adventure!

LAURENT DE KOUSEMAEKER	In August 2008, Laurent de Kousemaeker was appointed Senior VP Development Latin America & Caribbean for Marriott International based out of the headquarters in Washington D.C. Previously, Laurent was Vice President in charge of development for Spain and Portugal for Marriott International. Before joining Marriott, Laurent worked with HVS for six years. In 1999, Laurent joined the HVS London office, and in 2002 he successfully opened and managed the HVS Madrid office. On a personal note, Laurent and his wife Paula just had a second child, a baby daughter called Felicia who was born on June 21st. Laurent and Paula also have a son, Sascha, who is about to turn three.

GERARD GREENE	Gerard Greene, CEO and partner of Yotel recently participated in the Tri For Life inaugural triathlon in the United Kingdom. The event was conceptualized to raise money for several charities that help children who are terminally ill and other worthwhile causes. Some of these charities are Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Teenage Cancer Trust. Gerard helped raise over £1700 to date! If you haven't sponsored him yet, get online and make your donations at www.justgiving.com/gerardgreene. On a mission to revolutionize the hotel industry and save consumers from expensive and boring hotels, Gerard gave up work after five years as a hotel analyst, sold his home and joined forces with Simon Woodroffe, founder of the YO! Group to develop YOTEL, "the world's most radical hotel". Gerard's vision for YOTEL is to provide a first class experience at an affordable price. As a director at HVS International, Gerard has worked on consultancy projects throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia advising groups such as Goldman Sachs and Kingdom Holdings with brands from Four Seasons to Express by Holiday Inn. Previously, Gerard worked at an operational level for Hyatt International, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Conran Restaurants. You may find him on his bicycle training for a triathlon, scuba diving or even snooping around hotels, checking out the competition.

CHRISTOPHER BALFE	Christopher Balfe (Eco Services, New York) is currently working as a freelancer based on environment initiatives for the hospitality industry clients including Tishman, Mario Battali, Gemstone Resorts, The French Culinary institute among others. He is married with two kids and resides in Bergen County.

NICOLE VAN DEN DOOL	Riikka Moreau (Consulting and Valuation, London) an alumnus of the London Office, returned to work at the beginning of January after six months maternity leave following the birth of her son Alexis. Riikka currently works for Marriott as a manager in their feasibility department, where she works alongside another HVS Alumnus, Nicole Van Den Dool. Nicole Van Den Dool ( Consulting and Valuation , London) announced her engagement on New Year's Eve to Ian Philips. Nicole is now a Vice President, International Hotel Development Planning, with Marriott in London and will be married on 20 September 2008 in the Dutch Antilles.

	HVS New York alum Kate Henriksen (Consulting and Valuation, New York ) can now add "mommy" to her list of responsibilities! Kate and her husband Keith Ohlinger are the proud parents of Ms. Gabrielle Marie, born October 2, and weighing 8 pounds 13 ounces. We wish Kate, Keith and little Gabrielle all the best. Kate is with RLJ Development in Bethesda, Maryland, as Director (Development).

PATRICK & LIAM (BOGDAN VASILESCU)	Bogdan Vasilescu (Consulting and Valuation, New York) has been at Starwood in Feasibility for almost 3½ years now and was promoted to Senior Director in August of last year. On the personal level - most of his time away from work is spent taking care of the boys; that is very labor intensive, so, unfortunately, at the end of the day, he and his wife are too tired to do anything else other than rest. They took their first vacation together, as a foursome, last June; spent a week at Rocking Horse Ranch, a family-resort in Highland, NY, about an hour NW from Scarsdale. They haven't decided what they want to do this year. His wife, Maura was talking about a Disney cruise with the extended family.

PHIL GOLDING	Phil Golding (Consulting and Valuation, London) formerly an Associate Director with the London Office and now Vice President with Cedar Capital where he works alongside another HVS Alumnus, Ramsey Mankarious, has just returned from his honeymoon. The happy couple were married on 8 December 2007 in St Pauls Cathedral, London and spent their honeymoon in India and Sri Lanka.

JUSTIN LANZKRON	London Office Alumni Philippa Bock (HVS, London) and Justin Lanzkron (HVS, London) are both expectant parents in 2008. For Philippa and her husband Mark this will be their first child, and is due in the beginning of April. For Justin and Louise its third time around as they already have two boys who were both born on the same day - 31 July - but two years apart ! Their third child is due in the middle of May. Both former research analysts who worked their way up to be senior consultants, Philippa is currently working as an Investment Manager for Dawnay Day Structured Finance and Justin is now a Development Manager at Louvre Hotels. Both are still based in London.

	Katerina Giannouka (Consulting and Valuation, London) alumni of the London Office, was thrilled to announce her recent engagement to Patrick Finn. Katerina is currently working at Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Brussels, where she is in charge of hotel development for Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and CEE countries.

EVENTS

April 6 - 7, 2011 - Hotel Investment Conference - South Asia (HICSA), Mumbai, India - HICSA 2011 promises yet once again lining up some of the most illustrious global influencers sharing their views. Over the past six years the conference has played host to 30 global CEO's, 2,500 plus delegates, and has had a wide range of attendees from owners, real estate developers, operators, bankers, architects and consultants. More...

April 20 - 22, 2011 – China Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC), Shanghai, China - Meet the key players. Tap into the latest industry trends and economic insights. More...

If any of our alumni will be organizing reunions around the globe... Or if there are any conferences or special occasions when HVS’ers and alums will be participating...

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FEATURED PROFILE(S)

	Matt Kent Matt Kent, an 11-year veteran of HVS Hotel Management, Matthew Kent has left the HVS family after accepting the position of Managing Director of Peter Island Resort & Spa (http://www.peterisland.com/) in the British Virgin Islands.

	Elif Bali In her role at Loews Hotels, Ms. Bali is responsible for growing the company through acquisitions, management contracts and new developments. Most recently these have included the development of the Loews Atlanta Hotel slated to open in 2010, the acquisition of the Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort in Henderson, NV (formerly a Hyatt Regency) and the addition of The Madison, A Loews Hotel in Washington DC to Loews Hotels' managed portfolio.