US: Rhode Island-based StepStone Hospitality has promoted Blair Wills to president and CEO, with the company’s founder Tom Russo continuing his role as chairman.
Wills has spent the previous 10 years as StepStone’s president and chief operations officer.
Prior to joining the company, he spent eight years in multiple asset management roles with hotelAVE, first as an analyst and working up to vice president.
Commenting on his promotion, Wills said: “I am honoured to be part of the StepStone Hospitality family and humbled to take on this expanded role. I look forward to continuing to work with our StepStone team members who show incredible resolve and focus day in and day out, and building on the strong foundation already in place. We, as a team, remain focused on executing on our ownership’s goals and objectives and driving results.”
Russo added: “Over the past 10 years, Blair has been instrumental in guiding and implementing the growth of StepStone Hospitality, skill-fully combining asset management and operational knowledge in fulfilling his previous role as president and COO. Anyone who has ever met Blair instantly appreciates his understated, yet collaborative and steady leadership style, which has garnered confidence from a wide range of ownership clients as well as helped foster a cohesive leadership team. With Blair in this new role, we look forward to continuing our growth trajectory and delivering superior results to our owners while maintaining our strong company culture.”
Founded in 2009, StepStone Hospitality specialises in management for full-service and select-service hotels, restaurant operations and renovation oversight.
It currently or has previously managed hotels under multiple brands including Hilton, Homewood Suites, Marriott, Sheraton, Hotel Indigo, Wyndham, as well as independent assets.
