Global Hyatt Corporation has announced a development team dedicated exclusively to the Americas.This new and expanded team - led by seasoned industry veteran Jim Abrahamson - will be responsible for all real estate acquisition, joint venture investments, management contracts and franchising for all Hyatt brands in North America and Latin America.

The Americas development team will report into recently appointed Global Head, Real Estate and Development for Global Hyatt Corporation, Steve Haggerty.

“This new team structure and expanded organization underscores Hyatt’s aggressive global growth strategy for all our brands,” said Haggerty. “With the team we have in place - arguably the best in the industry - we’re confident we are well positioned to expand our company-wide distribution, bringing our signature, high performing Hyatt brands to markets that offer the right opportunities for our guests, our owners and the company.”

The Americas development team includes the following senior executives:

Jim Abrahamson, Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Development, The Americas

A 25-year hospitality industry veteran of industry leading full- and select-service hotel brand development, Abrahamson will lead all new development efforts in North America and Latin America for all Hyatt brands. Prior to his new role, Abrahamson, who joined the company in 2004, oversaw the successful brand launches of Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites. Abrahamson’s prior experience and history with leading hospitality industry companies in areas of development, operations and brand launches positions him well for leading the company’s growth initiative.

Chris Ivy, Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Development, North America Division - Western Region

Ivy will be responsible for development activity across all Hyatt full service and select service brands in the Western region of North America and report into Abrahamson. Previously, Ivy spearheaded development efforts for Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites. Chris has a very experienced track record during his career of full service and select service development including Marriott International and Westin Hotels & Resorts

David Tarr, Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Development, North America Division - Eastern Region

Tarr was recently appointed senior vice president, real estate and development, North America Division - Eastern Region by Global Hyatt. He joined Hyatt from Marriott International, where he led regional development efforts across the company’s brands for the past 10 years. David’s experience includes many high profile deals in all full service and select service segments of the industry. He will also report into Abrahamson.

Global Hyatt Corporation expects to announce the key senior executive and a new team for Latin America by year-end. In the interim, Abrahamson will lead all new Hyatt brand development projects in this very dynamic region. Ivy and Tarr will also add additional staff throughout their respective regions.

“This streamlined team approach across all Hyatt segments and brands gives our development partners access to Hyatt’s foremost market experts who can immediately assess which of Hyatt’s signature brands are the right fit for any project,” said Abrahamson. “We see virtually unlimited opportunity in the Americas region for Hyatt’s signature luxury and upscale brands and our Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites combined pipeline is already 250 hotels strong. With this team’s depth and breadth of industry knowledge, we’re certain these numbers will continue to grow at a record pace.”
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