for over 30 years, Jeff has been in the hospitality and financial services industries and he has been directly involved in developing/advising clients on over $2 billion in transactions.

 

In 2010, Jeff created a wholly-owned development entity named Vine Street Ventures, Inc. (“VSV”) which was responsible for the development of hospitality-centered mixed-use projects in upscale urban markets throughout the US & Mexico. Notable developments include: (i) W/E Philadelphia - a $450 million, 51 story, 755-room, dual-branded property in Philadelphia, PA., and (ii) The Pittman Hotel - an $80 million, 164 room historic adaptive re-use in Deep Ellum entertainment district of Dallas, TX.

 

Prior to forming VSV, Jeff served as the Chief Operating Officer of Gatehouse Capital Corporation where he oversaw the financing, entitlement, development and asset management of three urban hotel mixed-use projects during the period of 2003 - 2010; (i) the $65 million W San Diego, CA; (ii) the $260 million W Victory Hotel & Residences located in Dallas, and (iii) the $350 million W Hollywood Hotel & Residences located in Hollywood, CA.

 

From 1997- 2003 Jeff worked at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., initially as a Director in the Asset Management Group and later as a Director in the Acquisitions & Development Department where he was responsible for the Company’s northeastern hospitality brand development and acquisition initiatives. Brands included (St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W, Westin & Sheraton).

 

Jeff began his career in portfolio management for Kidder Peabody and Co. Inc. in its Institutional Trading Department and then worked in the Project Finance Department of Union Bank of California/Bank of Tokyo where he managed multi-million-dollar, middle market multi-national petroleum and co-generation facility related relationships. 

  

Jeff holds a Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington & Lee University.