Leadership - Aimbridge Hospitality Leadership Team (2024)

Craig S. Smith, is Chief Executive Officer for Aimbridge Hospitality the world’s leading global hospitality management company. A trusted operator of over 80 globally recognized lodging brands and distinctive luxury and lifestyle assets.

Prior to this role, he oversaw the global operations for the fastest- growing division of the world’s largest hospitality company, Marriott International, with specific responsibility for 2,500+ hotels worldwide with $15B+ USD in sales across 136 countries and territories.

His leadership spanned a diverse workforce of 230,000+ comprised of 54% women and employees who speak more than 60 different languages. He also had oversight of the deployment of 28 iconic brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Westin and W Hotels Worldwide backed by one of the world’s largest loyalty platforms, Marriott Bonvoy® with 150M+ members.

A strong industry advocate with honed global expertise, Mr. Smith is a frequent contributor to G20 public-private sector travel and tourism initiatives. He chairs the board of the US-ASEAN Business Council, is on the board of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), is the lead representative for Marriott International, Inc, for the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and is a sought-after speaker and media source on the state of global travel and tourism and its geopolitical and economic impact.

The son of an Career Ambassador and father of five, Craig has lived in 13 countries and has a deep appreciation for cultural differences across generations and geographies. He is a certified private pilot, master scuba diver, skis, and loves motorcycles. Craig is fluent in English and Spanish and is conversant in Portuguese. A mentor to many, he is appreciated worldwide for championing personal and professional development.

Craig S. Smith
Chief Executive Officer

Craig S. Smith, is Chief Executive Officer for Aimbridge Hospitality the world’s leading global hospitality management company. A trusted operator of over 80 globally recognized lodging brands and distinctive luxury and lifestyle assets.

Prior to this role, he oversaw the global operations for the fastest- growing division of the world’s largest hospitality company, Marriott International, with specific responsibility for 2,500+ hotels worldwide with $15B+ USD in sales across 136 countries and territories.

His leadership spanned a diverse workforce of 230,000+ comprised of 54% women and employees who speak more than 60 different languages. He also had oversight of the deployment of 28 iconic brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Westin and W Hotels Worldwide backed by one of the world’s largest loyalty platforms, Marriott Bonvoy® with 150M+ members.

A strong industry advocate with honed global expertise, Mr. Smith is a frequent contributor to G20 public-private sector travel and tourism initiatives. He chairs the board of the US-ASEAN Business Council, is on the board of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), is the lead representative for Marriott International, Inc, for the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and is a sought-after speaker and media source on the state of global travel and tourism and its geopolitical and economic impact.

The son of an Career Ambassador and father of five, Craig has lived in 13 countries and has a deep appreciation for cultural differences across generations and geographies. He is a certified private pilot, master scuba diver, skis, and loves motorcycles. Craig is fluent in English and Spanish and is conversant in Portuguese. A mentor to many, he is appreciated worldwide for championing personal and professional development.

Eric Jacobs is Chief Global Growth Officer of Aimbridge Hospitality. He is responsible for the company’s global growth pursuits and empowering Aimbridge’s business development teams to fuel the company’s expansion goals domestically and abroad.

Eric was most recently Chief Development Officer, North America at Marriott and has over 35 years of multi-brand hospitality experience. He has successfully developed properties across diverse verticals, brands, and markets. His development background also includes roles at Tarsadia Hotels, Hilton, and IHG. His fresh perspective and ability to anticipate up-and-coming markets make him a valuable member of the Aimbridge leadership team.

Eric received a bachelor’s degree, Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He is a board member of Extreme Response International, board member of ECPAT- USA (PACT), and coach for Leader Mundial, a leading non-profit that aims to position leaders and organizations for greater global impact.

Eric Jacobs
Chief Global Growth Officer

Eric Jacobs is Chief Global Growth Officer of Aimbridge Hospitality. He is responsible for the company’s global growth pursuits and empowering Aimbridge’s business development teams to fuel the company’s expansion goals domestically and abroad.

Eric was most recently Chief Development Officer, North America at Marriott and has over 35 years of multi-brand hospitality experience. He has successfully developed properties across diverse verticals, brands, and markets. His development background also includes roles at Tarsadia Hotels, Hilton, and IHG. His fresh perspective and ability to anticipate up-and-coming markets make him a valuable member of the Aimbridge leadership team.

Eric received a bachelor’s degree, Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He is a board member of Extreme Response International, board member of ECPAT- USA (PACT), and coach for Leader Mundial, a leading non-profit that aims to position leaders and organizations for greater global impact.

As Chief Legal Officer, Greg Moundas is a member of the Executive Committee team, providing strategic legal leadership and overseeing all legal affairs of the company, including compliance, corporate governance, acquisitions, risk management, and more. In addition to proven experience in these areas, he also brings a profound understanding of Aimbridge’s business model, its owners, and the industry at large, given he spent more than a decade helping build Aimbridge into the company it is today, including overseeing the integration of Interstate.

Moundas first joined Aimbridge in 2011, holding legal positions of escalating responsibility and serving as General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer. Before returning to Aimbridge in April 2024, Moundas served as the Chief Growth Officer and Partner with Mayfair Management Group. In addition to providing strategic legal insights as a long-time executive team member at Aimbridge, Moundas also oversaw a substantial number of transactions for Aimbridge, including the negotiation, structure, completion, and integration of multiple merger and acquisition deals valued at more than $1 billion.

Moundas received a B.A. in economics from Fordham University and a Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in New York and Texas.

Greg Moundas
Chief Legal Officer

As Chief Legal Officer, Greg Moundas is a member of the Executive Committee team, providing strategic legal leadership and overseeing all legal affairs of the company, including compliance, corporate governance, acquisitions, risk management, and more. In addition to proven experience in these areas, he also brings a profound understanding of Aimbridge’s business model, its owners, and the industry at large, given he spent more than a decade helping build Aimbridge into the company it is today, including overseeing the integration of Interstate.

Moundas first joined Aimbridge in 2011, holding legal positions of escalating responsibility and serving as General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer. Before returning to Aimbridge in April 2024, Moundas served as the Chief Growth Officer and Partner with Mayfair Management Group. In addition to providing strategic legal insights as a long-time executive team member at Aimbridge, Moundas also oversaw a substantial number of transactions for Aimbridge, including the negotiation, structure, completion, and integration of multiple merger and acquisition deals valued at more than $1 billion.

Moundas received a B.A. in economics from Fordham University and a Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in New York and Texas.

Ann Christenson, Chief Human Resources Officer, joined Aimbridge Hospitality in 2017 with over 20 years of human resources experience. Previously, Christenson served as the Chief People and Culture Officer for TMI Hospitality, where she oversaw all human resources processes and internal communications. Prior to TMI Hospitality, Christenson was the Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services for Sanford Health, an integrated health system based in North Dakota with more than 28,000 employees.

Additionally, Christenson is a AHLA Foundation Board trustee and on the board of trustees for Sterling Multifamily REIT.

Christenson received a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College and a master’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Ann Christenson
Chief Human Resources Officer

Ann Christenson, Chief Human Resources Officer, joined Aimbridge Hospitality in 2017 with over 20 years of human resources experience. Previously, Christenson served as the Chief People and Culture Officer for TMI Hospitality, where she oversaw all human resources processes and internal communications. Prior to TMI Hospitality, Christenson was the Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services for Sanford Health, an integrated health system based in North Dakota with more than 28,000 employees.

Additionally, Christenson is a AHLA Foundation Board trustee and on the board of trustees for Sterling Multifamily REIT.

Christenson received a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College and a master’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Keryn McNamara is the Chief Information Officer of Aimbridge Hospitality, responsible for the design and delivery of innovative technical and business solutions to meet the diverse needs of the company and its global hotel portfolio.

Keryn joined Aimbridge in 2019 as Vice President, Hotel Technology and served in this role with Interstate Hotels & Resorts, which joined Aimbridge in October 2019. Keryn began her hospitality career with Omni Hotels & Resorts rising from property Revenue Director to Operations Director, to ultimately Vice President of Hotel Technology.

Keryn is a board member of Women Leading Travel and Hospitality, and is a founding member and serves as Co-Chair for Aimbridge Women Excelling (A.W.E.) associate resource group. In addition, Keryn serves on the HITEC Advisory Council. In 2022, Keryn was honored as an “Influential Woman in Hospitality” by Hotel Management magazine.

Keryn McNamara
Chief Information Officer

Keryn McNamara is the Chief Information Officer of Aimbridge Hospitality, responsible for the design and delivery of innovative technical and business solutions to meet the diverse needs of the company and its global hotel portfolio.

Keryn joined Aimbridge in 2019 as Vice President, Hotel Technology and served in this role with Interstate Hotels & Resorts, which joined Aimbridge in October 2019. Keryn began her hospitality career with Omni Hotels & Resorts rising from property Revenue Director to Operations Director, to ultimately Vice President of Hotel Technology.

Keryn is a board member of Women Leading Travel and Hospitality, and is a founding member and serves as Co-Chair for Aimbridge Women Excelling (A.W.E.) associate resource group. In addition, Keryn serves on the HITEC Advisory Council. In 2022, Keryn was honored as an “Influential Woman in Hospitality” by Hotel Management magazine.

Rob Smith, President Full Service, is responsible for managing all facets of full-service branded and independent hotels and resorts in the Americas and the Caribbean, as Aimbridge Hospitality continues to grow its international luxury resort portfolio.

Smith has been with Aimbridge Hospitality for ten years previously serving as Vice President of Operations and Senior Vice President of Operations, and Executive Vice President of Operations respectively.

Prior to joining Aimbridge Hospitality, Smith spent 17 years in the Caribbean managing large scale resorts and casinos, as well as serving the island of Aruba in a public/private sector tourism role as the President and CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and the Aruba Convention Bureau. Prior to his time offshore he held several General Manager positions in the United States under most major flags.

Smith serves on the Board of AHLA and the Westin Advisory Board for Marriott as well as the Stay Safe Advisory Board for AHLA. He is an alumnus of University of South Florida and resides in Plano Texas with his wife and four kids.

Rob Smith
President-Full Service

Rob Smith, President Full Service, is responsible for managing all facets of full-service branded and independent hotels and resorts in the Americas and the Caribbean, as Aimbridge Hospitality continues to grow its international luxury resort portfolio.

Smith has been with Aimbridge Hospitality for ten years previously serving as Vice President of Operations and Senior Vice President of Operations, and Executive Vice President of Operations respectively.

Prior to joining Aimbridge Hospitality, Smith spent 17 years in the Caribbean managing large scale resorts and casinos, as well as serving the island of Aruba in a public/private sector tourism role as the President and CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and the Aruba Convention Bureau. Prior to his time offshore he held several General Manager positions in the United States under most major flags.

Smith serves on the Board of AHLA and the Westin Advisory Board for Marriott as well as the Stay Safe Advisory Board for AHLA. He is an alumnus of University of South Florida and resides in Plano Texas with his wife and four kids.

Simon Mendy, President Select Service, is responsible for leading select service, economy, and extended stay verticals of Aimbridge Hospitality.

Mendy joined Aimbridge Hospitality in 2018 with 20 years of hospitality management experience. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President of Operations for Extended Stay America, where he oversaw operations of 625 hotels across 45 states and over 7,500 associates. He also served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Training, Standards and Guest Relations, Regional Director of Operations and Director of Revenue Management during his time with Extended Stay America. Additionally, Mendy was an Adjunct Professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Mendy is a graduate of the University of Colorado Denver, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Economics and Marketing, and a Master of Science in Finance. He is currently serving on the Extended Stay Lodging Association Board of Directors.

Simon Mendy
President, Select Service

Simon Mendy, President Select Service, is responsible for leading select service, economy, and extended stay verticals of Aimbridge Hospitality.

Mendy joined Aimbridge Hospitality in 2018 with 20 years of hospitality management experience. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President of Operations for Extended Stay America, where he oversaw operations of 625 hotels across 45 states and over 7,500 associates. He also served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Training, Standards and Guest Relations, Regional Director of Operations and Director of Revenue Management during his time with Extended Stay America. Additionally, Mendy was an Adjunct Professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Mendy is a graduate of the University of Colorado Denver, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Economics and Marketing, and a Master of Science in Finance. He is currently serving on the Extended Stay Lodging Association Board of Directors.

Aly El-Bassuni is President, Operations, Owner & Brand Relations at Aimbridge Hospitality. Building on his recent Aimbridge experience as Divisional President, Enhanced Select Service, he is tasked with leading Operations Resources, Commercial Services and fostering robust relationships between Aimbridge, hotel owners, and brand partners. As an experienced executive leader, he brings a unique perspective of operator and franchisor - operating both hotels and student housing facilities, while having spent a significant portion of his career in the brand and franchising space leading well-known hospitality hotel brands.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, El-Bassuni led an experiential and digital transformation within the student housing space, successfully launching and scaling a new, high-growth student housing brand and operator as its Global Chief Executive Officer. As Chief Operating Officer-Americas for Radisson Hotel Group, El-Bassuni was responsible for franchised and managed hotel operations for Radisson's seven brands with direct management of brand leadership, owner relations, and guest experience. In addition to his time at Radisson, El-Bassuni previously served as Vice President of Brand Operations at Wyndham Worldwide, leading the strategic direction, net unit and room growth, financial and operations management, and brand positioning for several brands during his tenure.

Aly holds a bachelor’s degree in business from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and earned his MBA from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania’s John L. Grove College of Business.

Aly El-Bassuni
President, Operations, Owner & Brand Relations

Aly El-Bassuni is President, Operations, Owner & Brand Relations at Aimbridge Hospitality. Building on his recent Aimbridge experience as Divisional President, Enhanced Select Service, he is tasked with leading Operations Resources, Commercial Services and fostering robust relationships between Aimbridge, hotel owners, and brand partners. As an experienced executive leader, he brings a unique perspective of operator and franchisor - operating both hotels and student housing facilities, while having spent a significant portion of his career in the brand and franchising space leading well-known hospitality hotel brands.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, El-Bassuni led an experiential and digital transformation within the student housing space, successfully launching and scaling a new, high-growth student housing brand and operator as its Global Chief Executive Officer. As Chief Operating Officer-Americas for Radisson Hotel Group, El-Bassuni was responsible for franchised and managed hotel operations for Radisson's seven brands with direct management of brand leadership, owner relations, and guest experience. In addition to his time at Radisson, El-Bassuni previously served as Vice President of Brand Operations at Wyndham Worldwide, leading the strategic direction, net unit and room growth, financial and operations management, and brand positioning for several brands during his tenure.

Aly holds a bachelor’s degree in business from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and earned his MBA from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania’s John L. Grove College of Business.

David Anderson is President of Aimbridge EMEA, he is responsible for over 120 hotels in the UK, Ireland, Continental Europe, and CIS.

David has more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry across Europe and the Indian Ocean, spanning both luxury resorts and midscale hotel portfolios. He leads the senior management and support teams to provide superior returns for hotel owners and plays a pivotal role in the company’s growth.

Prior to joining Aimbridge Interstate, David spent 3 years as Chief Executive Officer of SUN Ltd (Hotels & Resorts) in Mauritius. He also held the position of Regional Vice President of the Wyndham Hotel Group, directly managing a European portfolio of 182 hotels across 5 brands. During his tenure as Managing Director of Dolce Hotels and Resorts, David had responsibility for a portfolio of leading MICE hotels across major European cities. David also held the position of Regional Vice President for Northern Europe for the Louvre Hotels Group.

David Anderson
President, Aimbridge EMEA

David Anderson is President of Aimbridge EMEA, he is responsible for over 120 hotels in the UK, Ireland, Continental Europe, and CIS.

David has more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry across Europe and the Indian Ocean, spanning both luxury resorts and midscale hotel portfolios. He leads the senior management and support teams to provide superior returns for hotel owners and plays a pivotal role in the company’s growth.

Prior to joining Aimbridge Interstate, David spent 3 years as Chief Executive Officer of SUN Ltd (Hotels & Resorts) in Mauritius. He also held the position of Regional Vice President of the Wyndham Hotel Group, directly managing a European portfolio of 182 hotels across 5 brands. During his tenure as Managing Director of Dolce Hotels and Resorts, David had responsibility for a portfolio of leading MICE hotels across major European cities. David also held the position of Regional Vice President for Northern Europe for the Louvre Hotels Group.

Leandro Castillo is President of Aimbridge LatAm, the leading operating hotel company of international hotel brands in Mexico.

Previously, Leandro was Managing Partner for KPMG, where he was responsible for human resources, administration, operations, business development, risk management and innovation. He was also the Global Lead Partner of various public multinational companies where he was responsible for the coordination and execution of due diligence of several acquisitions in more than 35 countries, including tax and legal coordination.

Leandro is a Certified Public Accountant graduate of Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Occidente. He also has extensive executive education and certifications from Cornell, IPADE, University of Navarra Spain and Harvard Business School.

Leandro Castillo
President, Aimbridge LATAM

Leandro Castillo is President of Aimbridge LatAm, the leading operating hotel company of international hotel brands in Mexico.

Previously, Leandro was Managing Partner for KPMG, where he was responsible for human resources, administration, operations, business development, risk management and innovation. He was also the Global Lead Partner of various public multinational companies where he was responsible for the coordination and execution of due diligence of several acquisitions in more than 35 countries, including tax and legal coordination.

Leandro is a Certified Public Accountant graduate of Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Occidente. He also has extensive executive education and certifications from Cornell, IPADE, University of Navarra Spain and Harvard Business School.