Mark is the co-founder of Direction Hospitality and specializes in Hotel Operations and Revenue and Asset Management.
Direction Hospitality currently manages hotels throughout the United States and Mark focus on driving revenue into these hotels. Mark follows the principle that Revenue Management is a business process designed to optimize the performance of an asset through all market conditions, while price-value considerations need to be made, demand and supply, forecasting, customer segmentation, leveraging product types (i.e. suites versus standard rooms), channel mix, internal communication of strategy and inventory controls all need to be factored in. This formula has proven successful for Direction Hospitality properties in the most competitive markets....
With a specialty managing urban Independent Boutique Hotels, Inns, and destination Boutique Hotels, Mark’s affiliations and relationships are numerous. He maintains strong relationships with several On Line Travel Companies, wholesalers, Tour & Travel Operators and Travel Agencies. Thru these strong relationships, he is able to keep current on emerging trends and changes in market demand.
For sixteen years Mark served as one of three co-founders of Access Hotels & Resorts and specializes in Hotel Operations, Accounting, Renovations and Revenue Management.
Access Hotels & Resorts managed hotels throughout the United States. Access specialize in Full Service Independent Hotels, repositioning hotels and is also approved as an operator for several major hotel brands.
For the previous ten years, Mark was a Principal with The Melrose Hotel Corporation and the Senior Vice President of Operations for the company. He was responsible for defining the brand, acquisitions, repositioning and re-branding of new hotels, all capital improvements, all accounting functions, technology, daily operations and strategic planning.
Mark Lahood began his career in 1982 with Marriott, where he held various positions in accounting and Front Office. In 1985, Mr. Lahood joined a New England-based hotel company where, over the course of 10 years, he held various management positions.
Mr. Lahood holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Hospitality at Boston University.
Kumar Anne is co founder of Direction Hospitality and he is an operational analyst with over 20 years’ rooms & food and beverage management experience in the full service hotel industry.
A veteran in the hospitality industry held various key executive positions. The impact of his 20-years career in the hospitality industry has spanned continents through his senior leadership positions at some of the world’s most well-known hotel companies. From Banquet management at the Plaza Hotel in NYC to Food & Beverage management positions in several high end organizations like Ritz Carlton, Intercontinental Hotels, Marriott, Omni Hotels and Fairmont Hotels. Extensive knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, accounting and revenue management expertise related to rooms and food & beverage management. Over the past decade has worked as General Manager with Marriott, Hilton, ... Mondrian hotels and independent hotels. Proven ability to develop and manage diverse work teams across multi-functional areas of the business. Kumar has done several consulting projects with Access hotels previously for FFE, renovations and turnaround of rooms and food & beverage operations.
Talented in building good teams, restructuring operations for profit and a passion working in the operations and dealing with clients and guests. Top recognition recipient from companies served like Intercontinental Hotels and Omni Hotels. Kumar is an alumnus of Johnson & Wales University and holds a Master’s Degree in Hospitality"
Abe Salam is a seasoned professional in the hospitality industry, with a proven track record in commercial strategy. He excels in the areas of revenue management, analytics, digital marketing, and channel distribution, and has applied his expertise to a diverse range of hotel and resort properties. With experience at top management companies such as Highgate Hotels, Davidson Hospitality and Denihan Hospitality, Abe has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon. He has successfully implemented revenue strategies in some of the most dynamic markets, including New York City, Miami, Boston and San Diego.
Akhil is an accomplished senior sales executive backed by over 20 years of successful management, sales, and customer service experience in the hospitality industry. Having vast experience in sales strategic planning, daily sales operations and excellent knowledge of the sales field, confident to meet and exceed any goals or expectations. Akhil has worked in senior leadership positions at some of the world’s most well-known hotel companies including Hilton, Marriott, Starwood to name a few. His dedication to his profession and sound leadership have earned him numerous awards including two Marriott Tiefel Awards for Outstanding Quality of Service, Hilton’s Excellence in Sales Award and Pyramid Advisors’ Starz Award for Sales Manager of the Year.
Christian Cooper is our CIO advisory for Direction Hospitality with professional Technology consulting & project management services to the Hospitality, Senior Living, and Residential industries. With over 25 years of IT experience working with top hotel brands worldwide, we can offer a comprehensive array of IT services and solutions from hotel new build project management to system deployment.
Christian provides our team with the strategic tools and expert support you need to plan for, and respond successfully to the opportunities and challenges facing technology within the hospitality industry. Working together we can position your organization to meet, and exceed, its performance goals.