HVMG Appoints Pete Sams as President to Lead Growth
Former Highgate executive Pete Sams takes over daily operations at Hospitality Ventures Management Group as founder Robert Cole shifts focus.
The short answer
Hospitality Ventures Management Group has named former Highgate president Pete Sams as president to manage daily operations. Founder and CEO Robert Cole will shift his attention to overall business development and partnership growth.
“His career provides a rare depth and breadth of experience across the hospitality industry—from his first 10 years in finance and accounting, to a decade in property-level general manager roles, to the past 12 years in senior, above-property leadership overseeing full-service, multi-unit operations.”
The short version
- Pete Sams joins HVMG as president after serving as president of Highgate Hotels.
- Robert Cole will step back from daily operations to focus on corporate expansion and owner relationships.
- HVMG marks 25 years of operation since starting from a single property under Cole.
Hospitality Ventures Management Group appointed Pete Sams as president to oversee daily operations and drive property-level performance across the company's portfolio [1]. The executive hire transitions operational oversight away from founder and chief executive officer Robert Cole, allowing Cole to focus on long-term relationships and corporate expansion [1].
What operational changes follow Pete Sams' arrival?
Pete Sams assumes direct control of day-to-day business execution and performance accountability across the HVMG platform, as reported by Lodging Magazine [2]. Founder and chief executive officer Robert Cole steps back from daily oversight to dedicate time toward developing relationships, managing existing partners, and guiding corporate growth [1]. According to Cole, the leadership handoff follows a search process intended to pair property-level operational disciplines with executive oversight [1].
What background does Pete Sams bring to third-party management?
Sams brings more than three decades of hotel industry experience spanning accounting, on-property leadership, and multi-unit corporate roles [1]. His background began with 10 years in hotel finance and accounting, followed by 10 years serving as a property general manager [1]. Over the past 12 years, Sams directed full-service, multi-unit operations in senior above-property leadership posts [1].
Before joining Atlanta-based HVMG, Sams served as president at Highgate Hotels [[1], [2]]. Hotel Business noted his prior history with KSL portfolio entities, including serving more than six years as chief operating officer of Peregrine Hospitality and Davidson Hospitality Group [1]. During his tenure at Peregrine, Sams helped launch an in-house management platform for KSL Capital that managed more than 45 hotels, encompassing destination resort assets [1].
| Career Phase | Organization / Scope | Primary Responsibilities & Reported Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| Most Recent | Highgate Hotels | Served as president [[1], [2]] |
| Executive Leadership (6+ Years) | Peregrine Hospitality & Davidson Hospitality Group | COO; launched KSL platform (45+ hotels); Davidson doubled in size and won J.D. Power Award [1] |
| Above-Property Leadership | Interstate Hotels & Resorts; White Lodging Services | Corporate above-property operational leadership [1] |
| Property Leadership (10+ Years) | Omni Hotels & Resorts | General manager, including 836-room flagship hotel in Washington, D.C. [1] |
| Early Career (10 Years) | Hospitality Industry | Finance and accounting roles [1] |
How does his past operational track record compare?
At Davidson Hospitality Group, the company doubled in portfolio size under Sams' leadership as chief operating officer [1]. In that same period, Davidson earned the J.D. Power Award for top guest satisfaction among third-party operators, according to Hotel Business [1]. His earlier above-property corporate career included roles at Interstate Hotels & Resorts and White Lodging Services [1]. On the property side, Sams spent more than a decade as a general manager for Omni Hotels & Resorts, which included managing its 836-room flagship hotel in Washington, D.C. [[1], [2]].
Where does HVMG plan to focus its next expansion?
The appointment comes as HVMG enters its next phase of portfolio expansion 25 years after its founding [1]. Sams noted that Cole originally established HVMG from a single property 25 years ago [1]. With Sams managing daily property execution, the company seeks to build on that operating foundation while Cole directs business development and strategic partnerships [1].
Reported by
This article was written from the following reporting. Follow the links for the original coverage.
- [1]HVMG Appoints Industry Veteran Pete Sams as President— Hotel Business
- [2]HVMG Appoints Pete Sams as President to Lead Daily Operations— Lodging Magazine
Frequently asked
+Who was appointed president of HVMG?
Pete Sams was appointed president of Hospitality Ventures Management Group. He joins the third-party operator directly from Highgate Hotels, where he previously served as president.
+What responsibilities does Pete Sams assume at HVMG?
Sams oversees day-to-day operations and holds responsibility for portfolio performance, allowing founder and CEO Robert Cole to step back from daily tasks to concentrate on long-term growth and partner relationships.
+What is Pete Sams' professional background in the hotel industry?
Sams has 10 years of experience in hospitality finance and accounting, 10 years as a property general manager, and 12 years in above-property senior leadership overseeing full-service, multi-unit hotel operations.
+What operational milestones did Pete Sams achieve at Davidson and Peregrine?
At Peregrine, Sams helped launch KSL Capital's management platform operating over 45 hotels. At Davidson, the company doubled in size under his tenure as COO and earned the J.D. Power Award for guest satisfaction.
+Where is HVMG headquartered and how long has it operated?
Hospitality Ventures Management Group is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founder Robert Cole established the organization 25 years ago, beginning with a single hotel property.
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