LEADERSHIP TEAM
FRANK ORENSTEIN
Chairman & Founder
Frank founded Hospitality Investors Group after a storied and accomplished career tenure in luxury hospitality development. Frank was previously Executive VP of Development for Four Seasons Hotels where he assisted in creating the original Four Seasons concept and developed the first Four Seasons properties in the United States, Canada, and Europe. During his career, he has developed many hotels worldwide and provided strategic advice and guidance to major international corporations.
Frank was also the co-founder of Park Plaza/Park Inns Hotels and Resorts, and along with his partner, Hicks Muse and Olympus Real Estate, expanded the portfolio and eventually sold the company to Radisson Hotels Worldwide.
Over the years, Hospitality Investors Group has grown its capabilities and expanded due to demand. Frank has led its evolution and been at the forefront of HIG’s mission to offer quality service, global expertise and ensure optimum success of its’ key partnerships. Frank is a graduate of Queens University Law School and currently resides in Palm Beach, Florida.
ANTHONY TROPEA
Managing Partner & Director
Anthony manages the acquisitions and investments for Hospitality Investors Group. His wide ranging experience makes him a dynamic and creative partner in this venture. Anthony offers a wealth of expertise in property negotiation, investment, sales and development. He specializes in global business growth and investment as a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS). Additionally, he serves as Co-Founder of a real estate consortium in Toronto, Ontario including a financial and property management division.
JAVIER BATTLE
Managing Director
Javier manages the acquisition and asset management functions for Hospitality Investors Group and represents BlackRock’s European hostel acquisition program. Previously he was part of the Christie & Co team, leading hotel property specialist in Europe, where he worked as Director in charge of the hospitality advisory team for Spain and Portugal. Prior to this, Javier was jointly responsible for real estate investment/asset management activities for a Russian family office.
Javier holds a BSc in International Hospitality Management from Ramon Llull University and an MBA from EADA BS and the Pepperdine University of Los Angeles. He also holds a PDP in Real Estate and Hotel Investments by Cornell University. He speaks English and Spanish.
BARRY DIAMOND
EVP, Design & Development
Barry brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality, art and design industries as a highly creative and accomplished strategic marketing, licensing and sales leader with a keen ability to identify emerging growth markets with design trends. Barry has been privileged to collaborate with leadership teams for top brands such as Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, The Walt Disney Company, Jane Seymour Designs, Wyland Worldwide, National Geographic Fine Art Galleries, Britto and
CBS Studios among others.
Barry has also used his expertise to develop global fulfillment and custom business solutions for organizations such as Choice Hotels, Norwegian Cruise Lines and PictureFrames.com which has broadened his multi-channel and marketplace perspective.
TIMOTHY WHITEHEAD
Managing Director, Asset Management
For over 30 years, Timothy Whitehead has managed hotels in different parts of the world including the Cavendish Hotel and Brown’s in London, England before joining Westin Hotels where he spent the next 15 years managing hotels in Copenhagen, Montreal, Winnipeg and Ottawa.
Subsequent to establishing a successful and stable operating environment at the Westin Ottawa, Timothy moved on to
the Canadian Pacific Hotel and Resorts (now Fairmont Hotels) and became Vice President & General Manager of Toronto's landmark hotel the Royal York.
More recently, Timothy spent several years with AFM Hospitality Corporation as Vice President of Ramada Canada and as Senior Vice President of their management division, NorthWest Lodging, where hewas responsible for 15 hotels in Canada and the United States.
JEROME SNYDER
Managing Director, Gaming
Jerome has been a Las Vegas resident for over 40 years and practiced law in the region for 12 years. He phased out of active practice and conceived and created the Bingo Palace Casino which became the predecessor to Station Casinos (NYSE).
His current business interests as an active principal include: Apex Industrial Park, Baseline Nevada, Border Billboard and Mobility, Inc.
Jerome is actively involved in many community organizations, with emphasis on his involvement as Honorary Consul to Great Britain, the World Affairs Organization, and the Consular Corps of Nevada.
SAMUEL KATZ
Director of Development, Europe
Samuel was previously Director of Innovation & Strategy for the Barrière Group, one of the leading hospitality and entertainment operators in France. Sam holds a Master in Management from ESCP EUROPE and currently resides in
Paris, France.