TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Plasencia Group, Inc., the leading national hospitality transaction and consulting services firm representing owners of hotels, resorts, and golf courses, has appointed Richard C. Conti as its President. Mr. Conti succeeds Lou Plasencia, who has served as President of The Plasencia Group, Inc. since its founding and who remains as Chairman and CEO.
"I am extremely pleased that Rich has joined our organization," Plasencia said. "He brings 30 years of industry experience and key relationships to our team, and he is highly respected by his peers. Rich's wealth of knowledge continues to enhance the position of The Plasencia Group as an industry leader in lodging investment advisory services and is in line with our growth strategy. This certainly provides me more time to focus on delivering for our clients," Plasencia added.
"My main goal is to work with a team of highly skilled and successful professionals who are 'Best-In-Class,'" said Conti. "By joining Lou and his team, I feel I have more than accomplished that goal." Conti, who will relocate to Tampa, will provide direct support to the company's sales personnel and its clients, ensuring prompt execution of engagements.
Conti has been Chief Operating Officer of Boykin Lodging Company, based in Cleveland, since May 1998 and assumed the additional responsibility of President of the hospitality REIT in 2001. Prior to joining Boykin Lodging, Mr. Conti was a Principal and Director with Coopers & Lybrand LLP in their National Hospitality Consulting Practice.
Mr. Conti obtained his undergraduate BS degree in Business Administration at the State University of New York, at Brockport, NY, and received his MBA in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from Michigan State University. Mr. Conti serves as Vice Chairman of the Hotel Development Council of the Urban Land Institute.
About The Plasencia Group, Inc.
Founded in 1993, The Plasencia Group is the leading hospitality transaction and consulting services firm representing owners of hotels, resorts, and golf courses, with offices in Tampa, Austin, Hartford, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Little Rock, San Francisco and San Diego. In conjunction with its affiliates, Regent Street for luxury properties and Sun Hospitality Advisors for select service properties, The Plasencia Group has provided personalized, valued-added investment opportunities and services to clients such as Hilton Hotels Corporation, Host Hotels & Resorts, AEW Capital Management and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The Plasencia Group offers a full range of value-added solutions, including transactions, property valuation analysis, financial and strategic planning, development and project management, and proprietary industry research.