Biography
Jim
joined the faculty of the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State
University in August 2019 as director of the Hospitality Business Real Estate
minor. He retained his position as operating
partner with Passionality Group, an investment firm focused on accelerating the
growth of early stage hospitality concepts. He is also a board member of Ceterus, Inc., a
SaaS enabled accounting and financial reporting services enterprise providing
support for small business enterprises, accounting firms and franchisees.
Jim
grew up in the hospitality business beside his grandfather and father. Throughout his successful 35-year career he has
held numerous executive leadership positions and diverse operating roles
including: General Manager, VP Real Estate, SVP Brand Management, SVP Design,
Architecture and Construction, SVP Franchise Development and Chief Development
Officer. He has led teams across some of
the world’s leading hospitality and restaurant companies namely: The Residence
Inn Company (prior to its acquisition by Marriott International), Choice Hotels
International, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Dine Brands Global.
Jim
was mentored by some of the industry’s most inspiring and imaginative leaders
and educators, honing his abilities to assess trends, develop strategies,
attract talent, build teams, and execute complex initiatives. Jim is recognized
as a serial “intrapreneur” having orchestrated the creation and growth of five
innovative hospitality brands, led the acquisition or development of real
estate assets exceeding $1.0 billion total investment, built service-focused
franchisee support systems, successfully completed the delivery of complex
renovation and remodel programs and overseen the sale of over 1,000
franchises.
Jim
received a bachelor's degree in marketing from Emory University and a master’s
degree in hospitality business from Michigan State University. He has been a
popular and frequent guest speaker at both universities throughout his career. He is a member of the of the board of
directors of the Michigan State University School of Hospitality Business Alumni
Association and one of the founding alumni of the Real Estate and Investment
Management program at Michigan State University. Jim was recently asked to join the industry
advisory council at Georgia State University’s Cecil B. Day School of
Hospitality. He is a Certified Hotel Administrator
(CHA) and is a founding member of both the Extended Stay Lodging Council of the
American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Atlanta Hospitality Alliance. He has served on the boards of the
International Franchise Association, the Atlanta College of Art and Design (now
SCAD) and the Sandy Springs Youth Sports Association. Jim is passionate about
his family, his friends, cycling, snow skiing, giving back and the future.
