Bruce Pittet has been appointed senior vice-president, asset management and chief operating officer of American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP (AHIP or the company).

According to the press release in this role, Pittet will be responsible for AHIP’s hotel profitability through working with its independent hotel manager; leading AHIP’s hotel renovations program – including the allocation of reserve capital towards hotel projects; and brand relations with AHIP’s hotel brand partners: Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Choice and Wyndham Hotels.

“The breadth of his hotel management expertise and his strong familiarity with our hotel portfolio will be invaluable as we continue driving organic growth through our 112 properties – including those that have recently received significant renovations. Bruce’s role will be focused on driving higher margins and income from our hotels through our third-party manager, overseeing AHIP’s hotel renovation strategy, and working closely with our brand partners to further align our interests,” said John O’Neill, CEO in the press release.

Pittet brings more than 30 years of hotel management, planning and operating experience across North America, with the last 20 years spent in the U.S. Previously, Pittet completed hotel development and operations consulting work for Starwood Development and held various roles at Intrawest, including general manager/vice-president for Snowshoe Mountain and later, regional vice-president of lodging – where he oversaw the operations and development of 12 Intrawest resort lodging business across North America and Europe.

In his most recent role, Pittet was senior vice-president at ONE Lodging, which is now part of Aimbridge Hospitality – North America’s largest hotel management company and AHIP’s independent hotel manager.

Pittet will join AHIP on May 1, 2019.