Denver-based hospitality management company Stonebridge has appointed Aimbridge Hospitality executive Rob Smith as president and CEO, Hotel Management first reported Friday, and Stonebridge confirmed to Hotel Dive.
Smith is expected to join Stonebridge in July. He leaves a more than 10-year tenure at management company Aimbridge Hospitality, where he most recently served as president of full-service, according to the company’s website. In that role, he managed all facets of Aimbridge’s full-service branded and independent hotels and resorts in the Americas and the Caribbean.
Prior to working at Aimbridge, Smith managed large-scale resorts and casinos in the Caribbean for 17 years and served as the president and CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and the Aruba Convention Bureau, according to Aimbridge’s website. He currently serves on the board of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Westin Advisory board for Marriott International.
In his new role, Smith will oversee the operations of Stonebridge, executing on the company’s long-term strategies, Hotel Management reported. He succeeds Stonebridge founder Navin Diamond, who will become company chairman.
Smith’s appointment comes one week after Stonebridge acquired Real Hospitality Group, growing its portfolio to more than 160 hotels across some 20 states.
“I am thrilled to lead the immensely talented Stonebridge team during this exciting time of growth and opportunity in our industry,” Rob Smith said in a statement, first published by Hotel Management.”
