USA, Tampa, Florida. October 07, 2020

Ryan McNamara has joined The Plasencia Group's investment advisory team as Managing Director based in the company's Chicago, Illinois office. Mr. McNamara will cover the firm's Midwest and West regions and will serve some of The Plasencia Group's most active lodging industry clients. He is responsible for providing investment advisory services to hotel and resort owners, investors, and lenders on individual and portfolio transactions, advising on capital markets and strategic consulting needs, and cultivating asset management and development relationships.

Mr. McNamara joins the team with an impressive track record in hospitality development spanning a decade at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, most recently serving as a Vice President of Development, where he was responsible for the expansion of Hyatt's brands domestically. Having worked in Chicago, London and Zurich for Hyatt Corporate, he previously gained investment and operations experience at Four Seasons, Marriott, and a boutique private equity firm.

"Given The Plasencia Group's reputation for deep local knowledge and unmatched hospitality expertise, I am excited to add to the firm's national presence by working alongside a respected and seasoned team of hotel and resort investment professionals," said Mr. McNamara. "The firm's depth of institutional knowledge and resources is impressive, and I am eager to add to the passion, access and certainty that The Plasencia Group is known for."

"During his tenure in the industry, Ryan has built lasting relationships with a great many hotel and resort investors while becoming intimately familiar with numerous markets, especially in the Midwest and West," said Lou Plasencia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "His expertise across various lodging segments and his background in strategic development bring a vast skillset that greatly benefits The Plasencia Group's clients."

Mr. McNamara earned a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Real Estate Development from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration where he remains a frequent guest lecturer. A Chicago native, he and his wife reside in the city's western suburb of Hinsdale.