Meet Xenia

Thomas Brennan is our Senior Vice President of Asset Management and has held this position since March 2016. Mr. Brennan was most recently Senior Vice President of Lodging Asset Management for The JBG Companies, a development and investment firm focused on office, residential, retail, and hotel assets in the greater Washington, DC region. At JBG, Mr. Brennan was responsible for a $1B hotel portfolio of upscale hotels operating under the Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Westin, Kimpton, and Sheraton brands. Mr. Brennan brings over 20 years of hotel and real estate experience to Xenia, including senior asset management positions with Host Hotels and Resorts, HEI Hotels and Resorts, and DiamondRock Hospitality. His background also includes tenures at Laventhol & Horwath in Washington, DC and Hazel Land Development in Northern Virginia. Mr. Brennan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. He is a past president and board member of the Hospitality Asset Manager Association.

Wade Fischer is our Senior Vice President of Project Management and joined the company in 2022.   In this capacity, Mr. Fischer is responsible for the management of all planning, design and construction efforts related to capital budgets.  He is accountable for the successful execution of all capital improvement work and overall management of annual capital expenditures.   From 2018 to 2021, Mr. Fischer was Senior Vice President of Design and Construction for Aimbridge Hospitality.   From 2004 to 2017, Mr. Fischer held senior positions at Brine Wells Development, Pyramid Hotel Group, and CNL Hotels and Resorts.  Prior to joining CNL, Mr. Fischer was a practicing Architect for notable firms at Morris Architects (now Huitt-Zollars) and HOK Group. Mr. Fischer received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has more than 30 years of commercial design and construction experience.

Shamir Kanji is our Senior Vice President of Investments. Mr. Kanji joined the company in 2012 and most recently served as the Company’s Vice President of Investments from 2015-2021. Mr. Kanji has primary responsibility for overseeing acquisitions, dispositions, and strategic reinvestment analysis.  Previously, Mr. Kanji was a Senior Financial Analyst with CNL Financial Group from 2010-2012 with focused responsibilities on Corporate Finance, Debt Capital Markets, Asset Management and Acquisitions.  Prior to CNL, Mr. Kanji was an Analyst with Tishman Hotel & Realty from 2007-2010 in Asset Management focusing on the Orlando & Puerto Rico owned assets. Mr. Kanji received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Administration/Management from the University of Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Ashley H. Peeper is our Senior Vice President – Financial Reporting & Tax.  Ms. Peeper previously served as Vice President – Financial Reporting & Tax, when her oversight was broadened to include the financial reporting function. Ms. Peeper is currently responsible for our internal and external financial reporting, including SEC filings, and technical accounting as well as tax planning, REIT and tax compliance and property tax. Before joining Xenia in 2015, Ms. Peeper was Vice President of Tax with CNL Financial Group for several years where she was responsible for two public non-traded REITs. Ms. Peeper began her career in the tax practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers and received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Florida.

Amanda Bryant is our Vice President of Finance where she is responsible for corporate finance, capital markets transactions, investor relations, and strategic planning.  Prior to joining us in 2022, Ms. Bryant held various positions in investor relations including Vice President of Investor Relations at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. From 2002 to 2015, Ms. Bryant was a research analyst on Wall St. covering a variety of hospitality related industries including lodging, leisure, restaurants, and REITs. Ms. Bryant received a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the College of Charleston. She has been a CFA charterholder since 2005.

Scott Buxton is our Vice President of Information Technology, where he brings over 20 years of high-tech expertise and is responsible for all of our corporate systems, including technology alignment, information security, managing our technology partners, service and support.   Prior to joining us in 2019, Mr. Buxton held positions as the Director of IT at American Road Group, the largest retailer of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the nation and as the IT Manager at MMGY Global(Ypartnership), the world’s largest integrated marketing company specializing in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Mr. Buxton received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Florida State University

Curtis A. Campbell serves as our Assistant Controller and is responsible for overseeing accounting functions and reporting. Prior to joining us in 2014, Mr. Campbell served as Director of Accounting for CNL Financial Group and previously, as Controller/Vice President for CNL Lifestyle Properties, a public lifestyle REIT, from 2005 through 2014. Mr. Campbell also served as Accounting Manager for CNL Hotels and Resorts, a public lodging REIT, from 2002 through 2005. Mr. Campbell is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Florida State University.

Nina DeMartino serves as Vice President of Project Management and is responsible for the oversight of renovation and large capital projects.  Prior to joining Xenia, Ms. DeMartino served as Director of Design and Construction with Shingle Creek Real Estate Advisory Company, working on many notable projects in the Central Florida area. Ms. DeMartino also held previous positions with Tishman Hotel Corporation, CNL Hotels and Resorts and Walt Disney Imagineering. Ms. DeMartino received a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida, which included enrollment at the Vicenza Institute of Architecture in Vicenza, Italy.

Matthew J. Devine is our Vice President – Senior Counsel and is responsible for managing a wide variety of legal matters related to acquisitions and dispositions, finance transactions, and providing general legal support to the asset management and project management teams.  Prior to joining our company in 2016, Mr. Devine served as an associate in Burr & Forman LLP’s commercial real estate practice group. Mr. Devine is a licensed Florida attorney and earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics, summa cum laude, from Florida State University and a J.D., summa cum laude, from the Florida State University College of Law.

Bill Goeller is our Vice President of Project Management Infrastructure and joined the company in 2022.  In this capacity, Mr. Goeller is responsible for the oversight of large MEP Systems, building envelope, property grounds, and ESG initiatives across the portfolio. Mr. Goeller has over 20 years of experience in hospitality engineering. Prior to joining Xenia, Mr. Goeller served as Director of Engineering at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, managing over $100M in annual capital projects. Prior to relocating to Central Florida, Mr. Goeller worked at the Intrawest Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, with responsibilities for capital planning, and regional maintenance programs across Florida.  Prior to joining the hospitality industry, Mr. Goeller spent 10 years in the construction industry.  Mr. Goeller earned his degree in Construction Management from the University of North Florida.

Arsheena Khan is our Vice President of Human Resources where she provides strategic leadership and guidance to the organizations HR, Benefits and Payroll operations and ensures that all HR programs and initiatives are integrated and effective in supporting the overall mission, goals, and objectives of the organization.  Ms. Khan also serves on the company’s Retirement Plan Committee and the Corporate Responsibility Committee.   Prior to joining us in 2017, Ms. Khan held human resources roles in various capacities at National Retail Properties, Inc. and Time Warner, Inc.  Ms. Khan received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources from Baruch College and has obtained her Senior HR Professional, SHRM-SCP, and Compensation Professional Certifications.

Marina Kostic is our Vice President of Asset Management and has held this position since June 2022.  Prior to joining the company, Ms. Kostic was Vice President of Asset Management at L+R Hotels, an international private equity firm, where Ms. Kostic was responsible for a portfolio of 20 full-service upscale hotels operating under Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Accor brands. Ms. Kostic brings to Xenia an extensive experience in hotel asset management, feasibility, underwriting, market research, and due diligence, including asset management positions with Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST), Turnberry Associates, and Driftwood Capital. Ms. Kostic earned a Master’s of Management degree in Hospitality from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Real Estate and Infrastructure from Johns Hopkins University.

Lori Miller serves as our Vice President of Portfolio Initiatives where she is responsible for identifying value enhancement opportunities within the portfolio and partners with the Asset Management team on maximizing the investment return of our hotels.  Ms. Miller is a lead member of our Corporate Responsibility Committee and facilitates our ESG initiative.  Prior to joining the Company in 2014, Ms. Miller held various corporate and operational positions with Tishman Hotel & Realty, Hard Rock Hotels, Marriott, Hilton, and several other independent brands.   Ms. Miller received a Bachelor of Science from Rochester Institute of Technology and holds a Master of Business Administration from Webster University.

Kristine A. Osburn serves as our Vice President of Project Management and is responsible for the oversight of multiple renovation and large capital projects. Prior to joining us in 2010, Ms. Osburn was a Vice President of Development for Inland American Communities Group that successfully developed mixed use student and multifamily housing projects throughout the United States from 2005 to 2010. Prior thereto, Ms. Osburn held positions in project management, development, and design including working with a division of Security Capital Group. Ms. Osburn is LEED AP Certified and a Licensed Architect. She received a Bachelor of Architecture from Drury University and studied at Lansdowne College in London, England.

Ameya Shinde is our Vice President of Asset Management and has held this position since May 2017. Mr. Shinde was most recently Vice President of Asset Management for Laurus Corporation, a private equity group that invests in hotels, offices and retail assets across the US. At Laurus, Mr. Shinde was responsible for their $750M+ hotel portfolio of upscale hotels operating under the Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and Accor brands. Mr. Shinde brings over 13+ years of hotel and real estate experience to Xenia. Prior to Laurus, he held various positions within Starwood Hotels & Resort’s Real Estate Development team ranging from branded residential development to disposition of owned assets. Mr. Shinde holds a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from State University of New York at Buffalo.

Joel VanderLey is our Vice President of Project Management and joined the company in 2022.  In this capacity, Mr. VanderLey is responsible for the oversight of renovation and large capital projects. Prior to joining Xenia, Mr. VanderLey served as Director of Facility Asset Management at Walt Disney World with oversite of renovation and large capital projects at the theme park’s hotels.  Mr. VanderLey also previously served as a Vice President of Design and Construction for Miller Global Properties and held several project management roles at Welbro Building Corporation.  Mr. VanderLey is a Florida State Certified General Contractor.  He received his bachelor’s in Construction Management from the University of West Florida.

Sami Zeitoun is our Vice President of Asset Management and has held this position since September 2017. Prior to joining us, Mr. Zeitoun was Senior Vice President of Operations with Crescent Hotels & Resorts where he oversaw a diversified portfolio of 30 hotels in several major markets. Mr. Zeitoun brings over 25 years’ hotel experience to Xenia including senior management positions with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Crestline Hotels & Resorts. His career spans lead roles as general manager as well as leading food and beverage operations. Mr. Zeitoun holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Management from the American Lebanese University.

Joanna Zook is our Vice President of Asset Management and has responsibility for a number of our boutique and lifestyle hotels. Prior to joining us in 2015, Ms. Zook worked in the same capacity at LaSalle Hotel Properties overseeing a diverse hotel portfolio from 2008 to 2015. Before her role in Asset Management, Ms. Zook held the position of Controller with Hyatt Hotels Corporation at a number of properties. Ms. Zook holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Christopher Elder serves as our Director of Financial Planning & Analysis and is responsible for preparing the company’s annual operating budget, updating forecasts, and providing strategic analysis to the company’s management. Mr. Elder first joined the Xenia team in 2021 as Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis. Prior to joining Xenia, he served as Senior Finance Manager at Marriott Vacations Worldwide where he was responsible for managing the finances for the company’s vacation ownership trusts. Mr. Elder has also worked various financial analyst roles at Lockheed Martin and PepsiCo. Mr. Elder holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida.

Christopher Fincham is our Director of Financial Reporting. Most recently, Mr. Fincham was Manager of Financial Reporting and was responsible for an array of financial reporting and technical accounting duties. Prior to Xenia, Mr. Fincham held roles at Hilton Grand Vacations from 2016 to 2021, focusing on SEC reporting, technical accounting and general corporate accounting. Mr. Fincham is a Certified Public Accountant and a CFA® Charterholder and received his Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Central Florida.

Morgan Lemis is our Director of Investments. Mr. Lemis is responsible for managing acquisitions, dispositions, and strategic reinvestment analysis. Most recently, Mr. Lemis was Manager of Portfolio Initiatives and was responsible for an array of asset management duties. Prior to Xenia, Mr. Lemis worked on the Acquisitions team at CNL Financial Group from 2014-2017 where he focused on the firm’s multifamily development and healthcare real estate funds. Mr. Lemis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Florida State University and a Master in Business Administration degree from Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business.

Shawn Martin is our Director of Project Management and joined the company in 2023. In this capacity, Mr. Martin is responsible for the management of our capital budgeting process and capital projects. Prior to joining Xenia, Mr. Martin served as the Capital Project Manager at Gaylord Palms of Ryman Hospitality and as Dual Chief Engineer at Grande Lakes Orlando.  Mr. Martin has also held several key positions in the restaurant industry and attended Texas Tech University for structural architecture.