With extensive experience in hospitality, food and beverage, renovations, asset management and direct management, our team is well poised to analyze and support ongoing performance improvement through an objective and intense hands on approach. Our track record of building management platforms, assessing and developing leadership talent, and partnering with owners, vendors and high quality industry professionals is the foundation for CHA`s approach.
Prior to launching Carson Hospitality Advisors, Chris Russell was the initial founding member of Pillar Hotels & Resorts, the in-house property management company for Archon Group L.P., a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs. In addition to leading the growth of the management company, the business also supported the investment and asset management team at Archon in the acquisition, disposition, and strategic growth of the hotel platform with value creation being the top priority. During that time, the PHR team managed over 240 hotels in 45 states with 8,000 employees. Chris also helped launch the group’s management platform based in Tokyo.
In 2011, after Pillar was sold to Dewey Weaver, owner of InterMountain Hotels, Chris became President/CEO and Operating Partner of Pillar Hotels & Resorts. In addition to leading PHR, Chris’s priorities also included working with his Business Partners and his Leadership Team to grow and diversify the company. After much success in going from a captive manager for Goldman Sachs, Pillar added several REITS, Private Equity, and Independent Owners and Developers. As part of their strategic plan, the company was sold to Aimbridge Hospitality in 2016.
Prior to joining Pillar, Chris was a partner and Chief Operating Officer of Dallas-based Prism Hotels where he led the growth of the management business. He has also held various positions in operations, sales, and food and beverage at Bristol Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons, and AIRCOA.
Originally from New York, Chris grew up working in restaurants and catering venues prior to going to and graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America where he honed his culinary and business skills. That foundation led to additional time at the Four Seasons, Inn on the Park, in Houston, Texas before making the jump into restaurant management and catering sales in independent venues. Eventually, he found his way into the hotel business and was fortunate to not only work with great companies, but he also surrounded himself with amazing and talented people. One of those talented people is his wife of 27 years, Leslie, who also has had a successful career in hotel senior sales training positions as well as nonprofit fund-raising.