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Lodging Development
Leadership Team

Meet One Of The Hardest-Working Teams In Hospitality

The Sonesta Franchise & Development Leadership Team is made up of bright minds working hard for you every day.

They’re hotel industry veterans with decades of experience in their field and committed to providing our owners and prospects with the support and knowledge they need.

About us
leadership team

Keith Pierce

Executive Vice President, President of Franchise & Development

Keith Pierce

Executive Vice President, President of Franchise & Development

Keith Pierce is the Executive Vice President and President of Franchise & Development. He leads the franchise and development organization for Sonesta.

Brian Quinn

Chief Development Officer

Brian Quinn

Chief Development Officer

Brian Quinn is the Chief Development Officer and oversees the development effort for the entirety of Sonesta.

Phil Hugh

SVP Lodging Development, Luxury & Lifestyle Brand Portfolio

Phil Hugh

SVP Lodging Development, Luxury & Lifestyle Brand Portfolio

Phil Hugh leads the lodging development team responsible for Sonesta’s Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio. He and his team are responsible for the growth and development of The Royal Sonesta and The James lifestyle brand.

Jason Yarbrough

SVP, Lodging Development Value Brands

Jason Yarbrough

SVP, Lodging Development Value Brands

Jason Yarbrough is Senior Vice President Development, Value Brands. He leads the Premium sales team and brand growth through new franchise development for Red Lion Inns & Suites, Signature Inns, Knights Inn, GuestHouse Extended Stay, and Americas Best Value Inn.

Marco Roca

Lead, Lodging Development LATAM/Caribbean

Marco Roca

Lead, Lodging Development LATAM/Caribbean

Marco Roca is the Development Lead for Sonesta in South & Central America, Mexico & Caribbean.

Joshua Benson

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development Value Brands

Joshua Benson

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development Value Brands

Josh Benson oversees franchise growth in the central region of the U.S. for Value Brands. This region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin.

Andre Giannandrea

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development - Canada

Andre Giannandrea

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development - Canada

Andre Giannandrea leads Canadian development for all value brands.

Mike Higgins

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Mike Higgins

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Mike Higgins oversees Luxury and Lifestyle Brands in the Western region of the U.S. This region includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Connor Murray

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Connor Murray

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Connor Murray oversees Premium Brands in New England and the central region of the U.S. This region includes Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. His region also includes the eastern Canadian provinces, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.

Dallas Setser

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Dallas Setser

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Dallas Setser oversees Value Brands the southern U.S. This region includes Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Justin Snyder

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Justin Snyder

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Justin Snyder oversees Premium Brands in the eastern U.S. This region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. His region also includes western Canadian provinces, Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory.

Tom Williams​

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Tom Williams​

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Tom Williams oversees Luxury & Lifestyle brands in the southeastern U.S. This region includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Jacob Ham

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Jacob Ham

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Jacob Ham oversees Value Brands in the western U.S. This region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

Jacob Irvine

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Jacob Irvine

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Jacob Irvine oversees Value Brands in the southeastern U.S. This region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Jason Heard team members page image

Jason Heard

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Jason Heard team members page image

Jason Heard

Regional Vice President, Franchise Development

Jason Heard oversees Value Brands in New England and the eastern U.S. This region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Ahmer Naushad

Vice President of Analytics/Franchise Administration

Ahmer Naushad

Vice President of Analytics/Franchise Administration

Ahmer Naushad is Vice President of Analytics & Franchise Administration. He oversees analytics and underwriting for single and portfolio deals.

Cindy Kelly

Vice President, Franchise Administration

Cindy Kelly

Vice President, Franchise Administration

Cindy Kelly is Vice President of Franchise Administration.

Taylor Goff

Vice President, Franchise Development & Re-licensing

Taylor Goff

Vice President, Franchise Development & Re-licensing

Taylor Goff is Vice President Franchise Development & Re-licensing. He oversees all areas that include contract renewals, relicenses, and ownership changes across all brands.

Sarah Howard

Lodging Development Support Manager

Sarah Howard

Lodging Development Support Manager

Sarah Howards is Lodging Development Support Manager. She primarily supports event management and lead generation.