BETHESDA, Md., May 16, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- DiamondRock Hospitality Company (the
"Company") (NYSE: DRH), a lodging-focused real estate investment
trust that owns a portfolio of 36 premium hotels and resorts in
the United States, today announced
the promotion of Stephen Spierto to
Chief Accounting Officer effective as of May
15, 2024.
Mr. Spierto, age 34, joined the Company in November 2023 and previously served as Vice
President, Corporate Controller of the Company from November 2023 until his May 2024 promotion to Chief Accounting Officer.
As Vice President, Corporate Controller of the Company, Mr. Spierto
was responsible for overseeing corporate accounting, financial
reporting and technical accounting. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Spierto spent 12 years in the real estate and hospitality audit
practice at Ernst & Young, LLP, most recently as a Senior
Manager. Mr. Spierto is a certified public accountant and earned a
B.S. and Master's in Accounting from the James
Madison University.
In addition, the Company announced that Anika Fischer will join the Company as Senior
Vice President and General Counsel on June
3, 2024. Ms. Fischer, age 35, will report directly to
Jeffrey J. Donnelly, the Company's
Chief Executive Officer, and will assume legal responsibilities
from William J. Tennis, the
Company's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, who
previously announced his retirement effective as of June 30, 2024.
Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Fischer was Deputy General
Counsel at Essex Property Trust, Inc., a multifamily REIT.
During her nine-year tenure at Essex she led its legal department in capital
markets transactions, securities and corporate governance matters
and the teams responsible for closing and underwriting complex real
estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions,
structured finance, joint ventures, developments and financings.
She was also a member of the Essex
senior leadership team and sat on the insurance committee,
environmental/social/governance committee and enterprise risk
management committee. Ms. Fischer began her career as an associate
at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in the Real Estate group. Ms. Fischer
received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, and a B.A. from
Wesleyan University.
"Steve is a valuable member of the team and has already proven
his outstanding business acumen and deep understanding of our
business in his short tenure with the Company. His promotion
underscores his remarkable contributions to DiamondRock. We are
also excited to welcome Anika, who brings both strategic judgement
and a comprehensive legal expertise in the real estate sector. We
look forward to working with both Steve and Anika to continue to
position DiamondRock to be a top performer in the lodging sector,"
stated Mr. Donnelly.
About the Company
DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate
investment trust (REIT) that is an owner of a leading portfolio of
geographically diversified hotels concentrated in leisure
destinations and top gateway markets. The Company currently owns 36
premium quality hotels with over 9,700 rooms. The Company has
strategically positioned its portfolio to be operated both under
leading global brand families as well as independent boutique
hotels in the lifestyle segment. For further information on the
Company and its portfolio, please visit DiamondRock Hospitality
Company's website at www.drhc.com.
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SOURCE DiamondRock Hospitality Company