Playa Hotels & Resorts Appoints Matthew S. Cohen as Executive Vice President and General Counsel


FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Playa Hotels & Resorts, N.V. (NASDAQ: PLYA) (“Playa” or the “Company”), the owner and operator of all-inclusive resort brands such as Hyatt, Hilton, Jewel Resorts and Panama Jack Resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, announced today the promotion of Matthew S. Cohen to Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Mr. Cohen is based in Playa’s corporate offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and will report directly to Bruce Wardinski, Playa’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 

Mr. Cohen will be responsible for leading Playa’s legal affairs including the Company’s M&A and commercial transactions, financing activities, securities laws compliance, legal risk management and critical business practices.  With over 25 years of experience, he has successfully guided a wide range of companies through all stages of their corporate life cycle. From 1992 through 2014, Mr. Cohen was a practicing attorney in New York, serving as a Partner in several prominent law firms including Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (2012–2014), Thompson & Knight LLP (2008-2012) and Eaton & Van Winkle LLP (2001-2008).  In recent years, prior to joining Playa, he served as General Counsel to three companies engaged in the energy, health care and online cash back businesses, respectively. Mr. Cohen graduated with a B.A. from Emory University in 1988 and earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1991.

“We are excited to appoint a person of Matt’s caliber to serve as our General Counsel.  Since joining Playa earlier this year, we have been impressed by his work ethic, legal acumen and business instincts,” said Bruce Wardinski. “His background and expertise are a perfect fit for our Company as we continue our efforts to enhance value for our stakeholders.”   

About Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V.
Playa is a leading owner, operator and developer of all-inclusive resorts in prime beachfront locations in popular vacation destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Playa owns and/or manages a total portfolio consisting of 20 resorts (7,769 rooms) located in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. In Mexico, Playa owns and manages Hyatt Zilara Cancun, Hyatt Ziva Cancun, Panama Jack Resorts Cancun, Panama Jack Resorts Playa del Carmen, THE Royal Playa del Carmen, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta and Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos. In Jamaica, Playa owns and manages Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort, Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa, Jewel Runaway Bay Beach & Golf Resort and Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa. Playa also owns five resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic that are managed by a third party and Playa manages the Sanctuary Cap Cana, in the Dominican Republic.

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Laura Lopez
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