HVMG Announces 5 Leadership Additions, Promotions
September 5, 2023
ATLANTA — Hospitality Ventures Management Group is expanding and fortifying its leadership team with five strategic promotions and new leadership team additions, the company announced Tuesday. The personnel moves include Sue Sanders to executive vice president, chief strategy and administrative officer; Wilson Turner to senior vice president, human resources; Angie Cook to senior vice president of accounting and finance; Suzanne Saunders to senior vice president of design and construction; and Bob Kisker to vice president of operations.
“The dedication and focus of Sue, Wilson, Angie, Suzanne and Bob, along with our other 60-plus above property corporate team members has been more than excellent,” HVMG CEO Robert Cole said. “These promotions reflect one of our philosophies that if organizations are not constantly evolving and consistently looking at ways to improve, they can stagnate and not develop. We are very passionate about looking inward when openings and new positions are created, and we recognize that maximizing the top- and bottom-line performance of our existing portfolio is our top priority and most important pathway to achieving our growth objectives.”
In her new role, Sanders will work with company leaders to define strategies to extend and defend the company in the short-term, build emerging capabilities in the medium-term and create viable options for the long-term, according to a press release. Sanders joined HVMG in 2010 as vice president of strategic planning and human resources. During her tenure with the company, she has been responsible for many strategic initiatives and teams, including the design and build of HVMG’s company brand, strategic plan and management routines; design and oversight of the property transition process and playbook; leader of the development of all core human resources and talent programs; and leader of the investor, brand partner and General Manager annual satisfaction assessment process.
Cook is expanding her role to oversee the management company financials, risk management and information systems. She joined HVMG in October of 2015 as the vice president of accounting and finance.
Cook is a certified public accountant with more than two decades of hospitality experience, working with REITs and start-ups on such topics as organization re-structuring and SEC reporting. Prior to joining HVMG, Cook was the controller of Intown Suites Extended Stay Living, vice president at Cratos Capital and manager of accounting and general manager at Lodgian.
As senior vice president of design & construction, Saunders is responsible for the team leading the execution of HVMG’s many renovations and development projects, as well as project management and CapEx processes, working closely with owners, the HVMG business Development team, external consultants and the company’s investor and brand partners.
Most recently, Saunders served as senior vice president of construction for First Hospitality where she oversaw over $90mm in new construction and renovations. Prior to that, she was vice president of design and construction for HVMG and vice president of design services for Hyatt Hotels for the Americas with a focus on launching the Hyatt Place and Hyatt House brands.
Turner is responsible for sourcing and developing talent, executing the TACOE and XLR8 programs and supporting core human resources programs and services in his new role. Among other things, Turner oversees associate relations, HR compliance, human resources leader development, benefits programs and associate engagement. Turner began working with HVMG through a professional employer organization (PEO) partnership in 2017 and officially joined the HVMG team in 2020. He has significant experience in acquisitions, growth-oriented companies, compliance, organizational and leadership development and employee relations.
As vice president of operations, Kisker supports HVMG’s hotels in delivering premium performance that creates value for owners. He joined HVMG in 2018 as general manager and was quickly promoted to area general manager in 2019 and regional director of operations in 2022, successfully working to increase profitability, guest service and RevPar index in the hotels he oversaw. He is a member of the Circle of Excellence, HVMG’s highest honor.
