PHILADELPHIA—HHM Hotels promoted Dani Elhachem to chief operating officer, effective immediately. Having held over 10 years of senior and executive roles at HHM Hotels, Elhachem has driven results for new and existing ownership partners, cultivated future leaders, and crafted approaches to commercial strategy, in particular around distribution, for both branded and independent verticals.
The management and investment firm has a portfolio of hotels spanning the United States, Canada, and the Bahamas. Their operating portfolio includes branded and independent hotels such as 100 Marriott-branded hotels, 65 Hilton-branded hotels, over 50 independent and soft-branded hotels and resorts, plus properties in the Hyatt and IHG brand families.
“Dani’s well-deserved appointment as COO marks an exciting chapter for HHM Hotels. His people-centric approach, coupled with a forward-thinking mindset for our partners, has been instrumental in creating differentiation within our industry,” said Naveen Kakarla, president and CEO of HHM Hotels. “We are confident that Dani’s leadership will propel HHM Hotels towards continued operational success in the new year and beyond.”
Elhachem started his hospitality career working in various hotel leadership positions within Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Marriott Hotels of Canada for a public REIT, and private equality firm hotel owners to name a few. He then held senior regional and corporate roles within Denihan Hospitality Group. In 2013, Elhachem joined HHM Hotels as senior vice president of operations to lead its New York City portfolio. Dani branched across the larger portfolio in 2017 where he was responsible for building out an operating and distribution platform in urban markets. He built out disciplines in restaurants and bars, direct distribution, and HHM Hotels’ in-house creative and marketing. This work resulted in his leading the launch of a luxury and lifestyle division, Echelon by HHM Hotels, which leverages the Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts, a B2C distribution platform as well as the company’s Commercial Services Team and Marketing Studio.
Elhachem grew up in the Toronto area with a love of playing sports and enjoying time with friends and family. He knew hospitality was a fit for him early on and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality & Tourism Business Administration while working at Westin Hotels & Resorts.
Lastly, in tandem with Dani’s appointment, HHM Hotels announced a role transition for Mike Murray, a company founder and partner for fifteen remarkable years. Murray will assume the newly created position of chief business officer, focusing on collaboration with current owners and clients by understanding their needs and driving growth opportunities through acquisitions and asset management.
“We are deeply grateful for Mike’s contributions to our journey, and we are excited about the value he will bring in his new role as chief business officer,” added Kakarla. “He’s been my partner for the past fifteen years and that relationship and our combined will to drive HHM Hotels forward is not slowing any time soon.”
