Dive Brief:
- Miami-based investment firm Gencom has restructured its organization into two divisions: Gencom Capital, focused on the investment side of the business, and Gencom Real Estate, focused on development, construction and asset management, according to a Monday news release.
- In line with the restructuring, Gencom named Chief Investment Officer Alessandro Colantonio to lead Gencom Capital and promoted Donald McGregor to president of Gencom Real Estate. The firm also made several other leadership appointments to support the newly established divisions, per the release.
- Gencom’s new organizational structure and strategic leadership changes “position the company for its next phase of growth as a global real estate investment and hospitality platform,” according to the release.
Dive Insight:
Gencom Founder and CEO Karim Alibhai will continue to lead the organization, overseeing both divisions and guiding the firm’s long-term strategy, investment philosophy and growth initiatives, per the release.
As the leader of Gencom Capital, Colantonio is tasked with overseeing the firm’s investment strategy, acquisitions, capital formation and allocation, capital markets, portfolio management and investor relations across its equity and debt platforms.
Gencom also promoted three longtime members to assist with leadership of Gencom Capital. The firm named Ignasi Puig as managing director of acquisitions and investments, Peter Trujillo as managing director of corporate investments and Blythe Pierre-Louis as managing director of special situations, per the release.
The restructuring follows large-scale investments by Gencom, including its February acquisition of The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park hotel in Midtown Manhattan and other New York acquisitions, such as Thompson Central Park and InterContinental New York Times Square.
Following the February acquisition, Colantonio told Hotel Dive the firm was bullish on future luxury hotel investment in New York, Miami, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, as leader of Gencom Real Estate, McGregor is tasked with “ensuring disciplined delivery from acquisition through stabilization and exit, while creating long-term value across the portfolio,” according to the firm. Supporting McGregor are Shaun Johnston, who was promoted to head of portfolio finance and accounting; and Jake Lynch, who was hired as senior vice president of asset management.
“The strength of any investment platform ultimately comes down to the quality of its people and the clarity of its leadership,” Alibhai said in a statement. “Today’s announcement … positions Gencom to continue growing while remaining disciplined, entrepreneurial, and focused on creating long-term value for our investors, partners, and guests.”
Gencom’s portfolio comprises nearly $8 billion in assets under management and includes 24 owned assets in operation or under development with more than 6,000 hotel rooms worldwide, per the release. The firm’s portfolio spans luxury hospitality brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood and Auberge Resorts Collection.
