Staff Profiles

Geoff Davis is the President of HREC Investment Advisors, and is regarded as one of the top deal makers and hotel investment advisors in the hospitality industry. For over 24 years, Geoff has provided hotel advisory and brokerage services, with extensive experience in capital markets and top-tier asset sales. Based out of New York, Geoff oversees the operation and management of the Investment Advisors offices across the country.

A Principal in HREC's Investment Advisors group, Rick is a specialist in the sales and marketing of hotel real estate, while remaining actively engaged in the management of the Investment Advisors division of HREC. With broad experience in most facets of our business - from franchising, and capital markets to operations and finance - Rick has played a leadership role in our industry for many years.  He is a graduate of Cornell University.

Scott Stephens is a Principal with HREC Investment Advisors, based out of the company’s Tampa, Florida office. For over 16 years, Scott has been providing investment banking and advisory services exclusively to the hospitality industry, specializing in valuations, debt and equity placement, and asset dispositions. Scott is actively engaged in the management and operation of the Investment Advisors division of HREC. Additionally, Scott is a member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI) and a member of the Society of Golf Appraisers (SGA).

Mike Armstrong is an HREC Principal in the San Diego office. Prior to merging with HREC this year, Mike was the founder and president of Neptune Hospitality Advisors where he directed all the company’s advisory activities, including hospitality transactional services, debt & equity raising services, and asset management services. Over its eight year history, Neptune completed over $1.5 billion in real estate sales and financings.  A 25-year hotel industry veteran, Mike brings extensive experience in hotel real estate sales, debt & equity financing, development, acquisitions and hotel management to his leadership role with the company.

Mark Tobin is President of HREC Development Resources. His professional experience spans across $3 billion of hotel real estate assets that have included single asset experience with individual and quasi-governmental ownership entities as well as debt/equity portfolio management with institutional investors. These experiences have been highlighted by opportunities with large-scale and high profile assets that have required proven expertise in the areas of development management, transaction advisory services and complex capital structuring and asset management.

Pat Culligan merged his consulting practice with HREC in 2008 and heads up our Memphis office.  He has managed/conducted market studies reflecting billions in hotel investment; participated in the conceptual development of numerous hotel brands including Hampton Inns and Homewood Suites; participated in the formation of a hotel REIT; created significant value through asset management;  served as the lead negotiator for the acquisition of a European hotel brand; and has successfully served clients in hotel dispositions.  He is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School and a licensed Tennessee RE Broker.

Jill Cahill serves as the Manager of HREC Licensing, with active involvement in the hospitality industry since 1984. Jill offers her extensive experience to HREC by directing the global branding, marketing and licensing activities for the entire Hospitality Real Estate Counselors family of real estate advisory divisions, including HREC, HREC Investment Advisors, and HREC Development Resources.  Jill is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School.

Ronald C. Muzii, Jr. has over 25 years experience in the resort industry and holds a B.S. from Cornell University's prestigious School of Hotel Administration.  He has facilitated the acquisition, financing, and development of over $600 million of resort, timeshare, golf course, residential and commercial transactions.  Ron is Senior Vice President of HREC Investment Advisors and works out of the Boca Raton, FL office.

Larry Kaplan has been actively involved in hotel real estate and finance assignments for nearly 15 years. Based in Denver, Larry has worked on hotel investment sale and financing assignments throughout the United States and Canada. Combining sound judgment, savvy deal making and a focus on client relationships, Larry has provided advisory services to over 500 hotel properties since the mid-1990s.

Chris Stein is the Senior Vice President of HREC - Hospitality Real Estate Counselors. Chris has advised over 50 clients on multiple hotel deals throughout North America and the Caribbean, including appraisals, market and feasibility studies, property sales and litigation support. His previous experience includes management positions with the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. Chris is a graduate of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas with a degree in Hotel Administration and specialization in gaming.

Monty Levy heads up HREC’s Atlanta office, and has extensive experience representing a wide range of hotel sellers.  Monty has particular expertise in the sale of portfolios, having represented the seller’s of several large ($75MM+) portfolios as well as special servicers and lenders dealing with troubled loans and REO assets.  Previously, Monty practiced law as a commercial real estate attorney–both in private practice and in-house with a large financial services company.  Monty holds a BA - Emory University, JD - University of Michigan, member of the Georgia Bar and a licensed RE salesperson in Georgia.

Will is a Senior Vice President of HREC Investment Advisors and is based in New York. Before joining HREC IA, Will has been instrumental in originating, structuring and managing over US$8 billion dollars of commercial real estate equity and debt transactions. These include US$6 billion in hospitality assets during his tenures at Anglo Irish Bank, The Carlton Group and HVS. Will received a M.S. in Real Estate Finance and Investments from New York University and a M.S. and B.S. in Hotel Management from Pennsylvania State University.

Bill Murney has joined the firm as Senior Vice President and is in charge of the new HREC Investment Advisors' office in Phoenix, AZ. Prior to HREC, he was Managing Director of Molinaro Koger’s Phoenix office. Bill has sold over $1 billion in hotel and resort assets during his 25-year career in the commercial real estate industry. Bill graduated with dual degrees in Marketing and Finance from the University of Arizona.

In charge of our Seattle office, Mark has 25 years of experience in all facets of hospitality real estate. Prior to joining HREC he served as SVP for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels and VP of Acquisitions for Wyndham Worldwide. He also worked for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and has extensive hospitality consulting experience with HVS and PKF Consulting. Mark holds an MBA from the University of San Diego and a BA in Hotel Administration from Washington State University. He also holds the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute and is a licensed RE salesperson. 

Ted Anka is a Vice President located in our downtown Chicago office. Joining HREC in April 2006, Ted is an industry veteran in the hotel franchise sales arena having worked with USFS, IHG and Cendant over the last 10 years. Ted has an extensive background in the Midwest with future plans to represent HREC in the Canadian marketplace.

Peter Laack joined HREC in 2000, and has been with HREC Investment Advisors since 2004. Over that time, Peter has analyzed and advised on over 200 hotels and casinos in 40 states and Mexico, with extensive hotel disposition, valuation and debt financing experience. Peter is currently based out of HREC IA’s Tampa, Florida office, and is a licensed real estate broker in the State of Colorado.

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Jeff's career combines a unique mix of hotel operations, consulting and development skills. A graduate of the University of Denver's Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism program, Jeff has worked in management operations for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, has been a consultant with Pannell Kerr Forster, and has been a partner in several hotel developments.

Mark Darrington is a Vice President with HREC Investment Advisors, with over 20 years of experience in the hotel industry. Mark brings a "hands on" perspective to each real estate transaction for both the buyer and the seller, with expertise in corporate managed, franchised, and independent assets in resort destinations, suburban and city center locations. Since joining HREC, Mark has been involved in $67 million of hotel real estate transactions.

Tom is a Vice President of HREC Investment Advisors. His 18-year career in the hotel industry has included a wide range of experience in various facets of the business. Most recently Tom served as Vice President with Mumford Company in their Chicago office where he focused on investment sale brokerage for mid-scale and economy hotels throughout the United States. Tom is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

Patrick Bajdek is a Vice President located in our Dallas office. Patrick was Managing Director with Neptune Hospitality Advisors before joining the HREC team. With specialization in hospitality consulting, asset management, development and real estate brokerage for more than 40 years, Patrick brings an unparalleled level of expertise to all facets of HREC’s services. During his four decades in the industry, he has helped manage the development of more than 100 hotels, conference centers and resorts throughout the United States. 

Paul Sexton heads up HREC’s Orlando office. During his 20-year career, Paul has worked primarily as a senior acquisitions/ development professional for three publicly traded hospitality companies. He was responsible for investments totaling nearly $750 million. As consultant and broker, he has advised clients–including individual developers, public companies and private equity funds–on hospitality projects throughout the US, the Caribbean and Latin America. Paul has a degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management, is a licensed State of Florida broker and is a member of ULI.

Steven Senft has over ten years experience in hotel operations, ownership and real estate. He is based in Los Angeles and represents sellers and buyers, with a focus on assets in the Pacific states. Steve earned his BS in Hospitality Management and holds a MBA from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He earned his Certification in Real Estate, Development, and Hotel Investment from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Steve is a licensed RE Salesperson in California and is the current President of the Collins College of Hospitality Management Alumni Chapter.

Alex Pierson is a Senior Broker in the HREC San Diego office. As Senior Broker, Alex plays a key role at every stage of the marketing process, including property valuations, marketing strategy, investor outreach and tours, buyer selection, due diligence, and closing. Prior to the merge, Alex was an Associate at Neptune Hospitality Advisors. Mr. Pierson earned his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. Alex is the current Co-President of the Cornell Hotel Society-San Diego Chapter, an active member of ULI, a licensed RE Salesperson in the state of California and a LEED Accredited Professional.  

Bryan Esposito is a Vice President of HREC - Hospitality Real Estate Counselors, where he specializes in market and feasibility studies and appraisals. Bryan has over seven years of experience in hotel operations, most recently at various casino-hotels in Atlantic City. As a Vice President with HREC, Bryan provides lead support for engagements and assists in the professional development of new associates. Mr. Esposito is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School.

Chris Eckstein is a Senior Associate-Brokerage where he provides investment banking analysis and support for the brokerage service division. He specializes in single and portfolio asset dispositions, valuations, as well as third-party debt and equity placement support. Chris has asset repositioning experience in full service and luxury hotels, most recently serving in a project management role with the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Chris is a graduate from the Cornell Hotel School.

Melanie Milton serves as Director of Research and Administration in the Memphis office. She has managed and conducted hospitality research that includes hundreds of corporate demand generator interviews for both proposed and existing hotels.   Melanie also manages the administrative responsibilities of the office and oversees report production and delivery.  Her background includes experience in corporate law and franchise compliance.  She attended the University of Mississippi and is a graduate of the Southwestern Paralegal institute in Houston, Texas.

Colin Toole is an Senior Associate-Consulting, where he specializes in market and feasibility studies and appraisals. Colin has gained a diversity of hotel management experience at five separate full-service lodging facilities, most recently at the Four Seasons Aviara in San Diego. Mr. Toole is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School.

Mackenzie Snyder is a Senior Associate-Consulting where she specializes in Market Studies, Feasibility Studies, and Appraisals.  Mackenzie has hotel operations experience, most recently at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City and at Le Parker Meridien in New York City.  Mackenzie is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School.

Patrick Culligan, Jr. is an Associate-Consulting where he specializes in market research and feasibility studies. Patrick conducted research and analysis on market feasibility studies while at the Hospitality Consulting Group, Inc. and gained diverse operational experience with an award winning Courtyard by Marriott hotel and the Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis.  Mr. Culligan is a graduate of the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management program at the University of Memphis.