Edward Pitoniak is the new president and acting chief executive officer of InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust (InnVest), beginning December 1, 2014.

Since April, Pitoniak supervised InnVest’s business as managing director, while also serving as a member of the Board of Trustees, a role which he will continue to fulfill.

From 2004 to 2007, Pitoniak was president, chief executive officer and board trustee of Canadian Hotel Income Properties REIT (CHIP REIT), listed as a leading hotel owner on the Toronto Stock Exchange during Pitoniak’s tenure.

InnVest’s past president and interim chief executive officer, Anthony Messina, will continue to work with the company in his ongoing role with Westmount Hospitality Group.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tony for his valuable contributions to InnVest over these last two years of service as CEO,” said Daniel Lewis, lead independent director of InnVest’s Board. “He led the authorship and execution of a portfolio strategic plan that has established a solid foundation for InnVest’s future.”

The Board is continuing its search for a permanent full-time CEO of InnVest.