VANCOUVER, Sept. 12, 2018 – American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP ("AHIP") (TSX: HOT.UN, HOT.U and HOT.DB.U) is pleased to announce that John O'Neill has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of AHIP, effective October 1, 2018. Mr. O'Neill is an accomplished hospitality professional with over 30 years of experience in hotel investment, development and management. John oversaw the management of AHIP's hotel operations as the portfolio grew from 32 to 115 hotels over the past six years, while serving as President of ONE Lodging Management Inc. until Aimbridge Hospitality assumed AHIP's hotel management duties in April 2018. John has a deep understanding of the U.S. hotel industry and thorough knowledge of AHIP's hotel portfolio, making him the best candidate to assume the role of CEO and to lead AHIP into its next growth phase.
This appointment follows an extensive executive search conducted by AHIP's Board of Directors (the "Board") over the past four months, which was led by a well-recognized executive recruitment firm. After interviewing and evaluating numerous highly-qualified and impressive candidates, the Board was unanimous and confident in selecting John as AHIP's new CEO.
"We are pleased that our international search and selection process has concluded with the appointment of John as Chief Executive Officer. He is an impressive hospitality professional with significant experience in the United States and possesses deep institutional knowledge of AHIP's portfolio," noted Michael Murphy, Chair of AHIP's Board of Directors. Mr. Murphy continued, "We believe that John's appointment will mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for AHIP."
As CEO, Mr. O'Neill will provide effective leadership to AHIP and will work with the Board to set and fulfill AHIP's strategic objectives. Mr. O'Neill will also oversee and work with AHIP's internal asset management team to maximize the performance of AHIP's existing portfolio and identify suitable M&A and capital recycling strategies to ensure the optimal mix of properties to drive strong long-term results for AHIP's unitholders.
"I am excited and grateful to have been selected by the Board to take on this unique leadership opportunity with AHIP, and look forward to working with our team and Aimbridge in delivering sustainable, long-term growth, to drive cash flow and enhance the value of our company for our investors," said Mr. O'Neill.
John O'Neill will succeed Rob O'Neill, AHIP's co-founder, who has been Chief Executive Officer and a valued Board member since AHIP's inception in 2012. Rob O'Neill will remain on AHIP's Board following his retirement as CEO in October.
"We thank Rob for his strong leadership and vision over the last six years, and we are grateful for the significant contributions he has made towards AHIP's success, including diversifying the hotel portfolio with the addition of 67 premium branded hotels over the past five years. We look forward to Rob's continuing contributions as an esteemed member of our Board and his continued support as one of AHIP's largest shareholders," said Mr. Murphy.
"After 46 years in the hotel and hospitality business, I would like to thank the thousands of associates, executives and business partners who have made my career possible and look forward to spending more time with my family in active retirement," said Rob O'Neill.
