Our Team

Naveen Kakarla serves as HHM Hotels' President and CEO and sits on its Board of Directors. Since 2005, Naveen has driven growth across key operational and strategic disciplines, focusing on investment and development platforms, HHM's Independent Collection, finance, and capital projects. He previously led HHM's New York City operational region, construction division, and centralized shared service departments. Prior to HHM Hotels, Naveen worked in private equity focusing on investments and corporate roll-ups, following a legal career as a corporate and securities partner. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Austin College and a law degree from Cornell Law School.

As Managing Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Dani Elhachem oversees HHM Hotels’ operating platform across North America and the Bahamas, spanning full-service, select-service, lifestyle, and luxury asset tiers. He focuses on scaling hospitality platforms and executing owner investment strategies with tight operational accountability. Prior to becoming COO, Dani spent over a decade in senior executive roles at HHM Hotels, following his tenure as Corporate Vice President of Operations at Denihan Hospitality and leadership roles with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Westin Hotels & Resorts. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality & Tourism Business Administration.

As HHM Hotels' Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Shawn Tuli directs the company’s strategy for investment, third-party growth, M&A, capital allocation, and joint venture asset management. Since rejoining HHM Hotels in 2014, Shawn has spearheaded corporate finance and accounting teams while building the firm's investment growth platform. He began his career in the Real Estate, Gaming & Lodging Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Jeremiah serves as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at HHM Hotels, where he oversees all aspects of the company’s finance and accounting operations. From property-level performance to corporate strategy, he helps deliver strong results for owners, investors, and partners alike. Prior to joining HHM Hotels, Jeremiah held senior finance roles at Highgate Hotels, HEI Hotels & Resorts, and Millennium Hotels, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Finance at Highgate. He’s well-versed in the financial reporting, systems, and controls needed to support both private and publicly traded stakeholders, and brings a thoughtful, steady approach to every challenge.

As Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Dan Liang oversees a team of professionals on all legal matters for HHM Hotels, including those related to hotel operations, acquisitions, and corporate governance. Dan also oversees risk-related matters for HHM Hotels and plays a critical role in the execution of our investment and development strategies. Dan started his legal career as a member of Simpson Thacher’s real estate group where he represented private equity clients in complex real estate transactions, including the sale of the Waldorf Astoria New York and the acquisition of Great Wolf Resorts. More recently, Dan was a member of Ballard Spahr’s real estate group representing clients on various real estate matters ranging from commercial leasing to zoning and land use. Dan earned his J.D. from the New York University School of Law and his B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

As HHM Hotels' Senior Vice President of People Support (HR), Joe Heck is responsible for leading a best-in-class company culture that emphasizes associates as the key to business success. Through the execution of total reward and talent strategies, as well as innovative associate engagement and professional development programs, Joe ensures HHM Hotels remains a leading employer in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining HHM Hotels in 2014, Joe began his career in hospitality working in various HR leadership roles in multiple full-service hotels. Today, he sits on the Management Advisory Board and guest lectures for the Trulaske College of Business at the University of Missouri.

As our Senior Vice President of Information Technology, Mike Gartner guides all aspects of IT, including hotel systems, business systems, security, infrastructure, and leading AI and automation at scale. HHM Hotels prides itself on our capabilities in each of these areas and ensures technology is among our key competitive advantages. Prior to joining HHM Hotels in 2022, Mike worked across many roles in the hospitality industry including as Chief Technology Officer at a national hotel management company and also in a hybrid role that involved leading technology and operations at a highly successful casino outside of Philadelphia. Mike has a solid background in tech and operations, and in leading complex and diverse teams.

Hiram Negron, HHM Hotels' Executive Vice President of Operations, strategically directs a multi-brand and independent portfolio of hotels maximizing profits and achieving brand service standards while providing leadership, direction, and mentorship to hotel General Managers for 45 properties. He directly oversees operations, sales, and revenue management functions in New York City and New England. After working with Highgate hotels, Hiram joined HHM Hotels in 2007 and has continuously grown his career in on-property and above-property operations.

As Executive Vice President of Operations, Cathy O'Brien currently oversees 35 hotels in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Beyond productive operations and GM mentorship, Cathy leads guest service satisfaction programming across our diverse portfolio of branded and independent assets. Cathy lives in Boston and has been a leader at HHM Hotels since the company's early growth in New England.

Chris Lorino is a seasoned hospitality operations executive with more than 25 years of experience in luxury, lifestyle, and full-service hotels. Chris joined HHM Hotels as Executive Vice President of Operations in November 2025. In his new role, he leads operational strategy and execution across HHM Hotels’ portfolio, supporting general managers and regional leadership to drive service excellence, performance, and brand consistency. Previously, Chris served in senior operational roles, including Vice President of Operations at Sage Hospitality and multi-property leadership at Provenance Hotels, where he oversaw hotel operations, openings, repositionings, and performance for upscale and boutique properties. His career is grounded in deep operational expertise and a strong record of elevating guest experience and team performance.

Ray Perez serves as HHM's Executive Vice President of Operations, currently overseeing over 80 properties for HHM on the East and West Coast, as well as in Texas. With over 30 years of hotel operations experience, Ray brings a unique perspective to the hotels within his portfolio having started his hospitality career in food & beverage and sales. Before joining HHM, Ray worked extensively in hospitality operations and revenue, most recently holding the position of Vice President of Revenue for DePalma Hotel Corporation. After leading HHM's Texas and Midwest portfolios for six years, Ray was elevated in 2019 to his new senior operations role.

Eric Davies serves as Executive Vice President of Operations, overseeing a portfolio of Marriott and Hilton full-service and lifestyle hotels across South Florida, Greater Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia. Eric joined HHM Hotels in 2026 as part of the company's expanded partnership with Wurzak Hotel Group, where he spent 24 years and most recently served as President, leading the Philadelphia-based operator's full-service and select-service portfolio. A hotelier with more than 30 years of experience, he has held leadership roles across premium Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, and IHG portfolios, with responsibility spanning owner relations, operations, financial performance, and development pipelines.

Marsha joined Urgo Hotels Canada in 2025 as Executive Vice President, Head of Canadian Operations. Urgo Hotels Canada is a leading hospitality firm with over 25 years of expertise, specializing in the development, acquisition, and management of a diverse portfolio of hotels across Canada, operating an extensive collection of properties through a strategic partnership with HHM Hotels. Marsha brings over 30 years of industry experience to this role, beginning her career in British Columbia across various properties, including the Westin Bayshore Vancouver. She later returned to her hometown of Toronto, serving as Hotel Manager of the Sheraton Centre and General Manager of the Westin Toronto Airport. From there, Marsha moved to the United States to work for Aimbridge Hospitality, where she rose to Senior Vice President of Operations. Throughout her distinguished career, she has gained extensive experience working with major brands as well as various independent properties across numerous North American markets.

Raul Moronta, Chief Revenue Officer for HHM Hotels, creatively and strategically leads Revenue Management, E-Commerce and Distribution functions across the organization while partnering closely with Sales and Operations leadership. Raul brings over 25 years of extensive experience, recently serving as the Chief Commercial Officer for Remington Hotels, SVP of Revenue Management for Crescent Hotels & Resorts, and also a period with HHM Hotels prior as well. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor of Hotel & Restaurant Management from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra. Additionally, Raul has a Certificate of Hotel Real Estate Investment & Asset Management from Cornell University.

Lindsey Johnson, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales, is responsible for driving our overall sales organization in the areas of sales execution and major account development and optimization. Lindsey partners with all functional leaders in the Commercial department and Senior Operational leaders to ensure our above-property regional sales leaders and on-property sales professionals are executing at the highest level and that they are continually inspired and motivated from coast to coast. Lindsey joined HHM in 2013 as a Regional Sales leader and was promoted to VP in 2019. Prior to joining HHM Hotels, Lindsey worked as the Area Director of Sales for Premier Hospitality Management. Lindsey was named HSMAI Above Property Sales Leader of the Year in 2023 and currently serves on the Marriott Sales Advisory Board.

As Senior Vice President of eCommerce, James leads a team of eCommerce, CRM, and hospitality digital marketing specialists to support HHM Hotels' variety of branded and independent lifestyle, luxury, and resort hotels in the digital space. A 25-year HHM Hotels veteran, James has held several Regional Director roles in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue. He earned his degree from the Hersha School of Hospitality Management at HACC, where he has served on the Advisory Committee for the Hospitality and Lodging program for 17 years. In the early ‘90s, James got his start in the industry as a lifeguard at a resort hotel.

Joining the HHM Hotels senior leadership team in 2023, Doug Wilkins brings a wealth of knowledge in hotel operations to the team. In his role as Senior Vice President of Operations, he supports a select group of strategic assets. His focus is driving operational excellence, optimizing performance, strengthening owner relationships, and helping lead the launch of several exciting new business initiatives that will continue to enhance the platform. Doug previously led operations at prominent hospitality companies, most recently with groups such as Equity Lifestyle Properties and B.F. Saul, serving as SVP of Operations at each of those organizations. Prior to that, he has two decades of experience with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. He also held senior leadership roles in both Sales and Operations at Caesars Pocono Resorts. His extensive background provides a new lens to HHM Hotels.

Ben Timashenka joined HHM Hotels in 2026 as Senior Vice President of Operations, overseeing the company’s entire portfolio across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. In this strategic role, Ben focuses on driving financial performance and operational excellence for the region’s diverse assets. He brings a wealth of experience from a long-standing career at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, where he was instrumental in the brand’s integration into IHG. Most recently, Ben held executive operations roles at Crescent Hotels & Resorts and Sonesta International Hotels. His career is defined by a commitment to people-first culture and a unique ability to scale performance while maintaining distinct brand character.

John Pasley serves as Senior Vice President of Operations at HHM Hotels, where he oversees a coast-to-coast portfolio for a key long-term partner and ownership group. Since joining the team in 2022, John has utilized his deep operational expertise to drive performance and consistency across a diverse range of assets. Before coming to HHM, he served as Divisional Vice President of Operations for Remington Hotels (formerly Chesapeake Hospitality). John’s foundational leadership was built during an impressive 18-year tenure with John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, where he rose to become Vice President of Operations. He is known for a steady, results-oriented approach to large-scale portfolio management.

As HHM Hotels' Senior Vice President of Finance, Shari is a vital member of our executive team and leads a group of expert corporate finance, operational accounting, and shared services professionals. Shari is responsible for working closely with operations and ownership partners on financial reporting, analysis, and budgeting which includes critical business functions such as payroll, cash management and forecasting, and financial systems. Prior to joining the firm in 2017, Shari held numerous leadership positions where she gained extensive experience in financial and SEC reporting, project leadership, and accounting management.

Marcus Marshall joined HHM Hotels in 2026 as Vice President of Food & Beverage, bringing extensive hospitality experience and a proven track record of leading food and beverage operations across hotel portfolios. Marcus is responsible for overseeing HHM’s F&B strategy, with a focus on elevating the guest experience, driving financial performance, and developing innovative, scalable culinary and beverage programs. He has previously held food & beverage executive leadership roles with leading hotel management companies, overseeing full-service, luxury, and lifestyle hotel operations and driving performance across diverse portfolios. With a strong understanding of hotel F&B strategy, operations, and guest experience, Marcus plays a key role in advancing HHM’s culinary identity and delivering operational excellence across its growing portfolio.

Wes Morton leads culinary strategy and concept development across HHM Hotels’ national portfolio, overseeing menu innovation, restaurant identity, and operational execution for new and existing venues. A classically trained chef with experience leading acclaimed restaurants and boutique hotel kitchens, he brings a refined, ingredient-driven approach that strengthens HHM’s Culinary Collective and elevates the guest dining experience across brands.

Mathew Jalazo serves as our Executive Vice President, Head of Development, where his responsibilities include sourcing management, acquisition and development opportunities, as well as underwriting, due diligence, market feasibility, entitlement, design, development, construction, and equity & debt financing. During his tenure with Urgo Hotels & Resorts, Mathew deployed more than $250 million of capital on new construction and acquisition projects helping to grow the portfolio from 18 to 45-plus hotels. Mathew served as executive vice president of development at Winston Hotels where he focused on sourcing acquisition and development opportunities. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received his BSBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School. He remains actively involved in the school, serving on the Kenan-Flagler Business School Alumni Council. He has spoken at several industry events and institutions, including the New York New Hotel Development & Construction Conference and the Cornell University Baker Program in Real Estate, as well as published articles in the Cornell Real Estate Review.

Alex Lalos Church serves as Senior Vice President of Business Development for HHM Hotels, where she is tasked with driving the company's third-party management growth initiatives along with key retention initiatives. She leverages over a decade of institutional-grade hospitality real estate experience, with a proven track record of originating and executing more than $6B in hotel and resort transactions throughout North America and the Caribbean. Her expertise covers investment sales, debt, and equity placement. Prior to HHM Hotels, Alex served as a Managing Director at Hodges Ward Elliott and held various leadership roles at HFF, focusing on luxury resorts and condo-hotel assets. Alex is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

As Senior Vice President of Investments, Luke Callinan is responsible for guiding HHM Hotels' investment and acquisition strategies. He brings a sophisticated understanding of the hospitality operating model coupled with an established investment record, having successfully completed approximately $2B in complex transactions, including the acquisition of over 9,000 keys. Prior to joining HHM Hotels, he served as Principal, Head of Hotel Investments at Kasa Living, Inc., and held an extensive tenure at The Chartres Lodging Group. He is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

Romy is HHM Hotels' senior leader on all investment hotel asset management. He leads a team of asset management professionals in the Philadelphia Corporate Office dedicated to maximizing owner value. As Senior Vice President and Head of Asset Management, Romy is focused on owner relations and capital planning for a coast-to-coast portfolio of over thirty joint ventures within the organization. Romy joined HHM Hotels with considerable experience working with REITs, major hotel brands, and AM firms. He held roles that include SVP of Real Estate and Asset Management for Delta Hotels & Resorts, Executive Vice President at hotelAVE, and SVP of Portfolio Management at Brookfield Asset Management. He also holds a Masters degree from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration.