#USA #New York #hospitality #Highgate #Pete Sams

Highgate Appoints Pete Sams as President

Highgate, a prominent hotel management and development firm, has made a significant leadership move by appointing Pete Sams as its new President. This strategic decision, effective July 7, 2025, highlights Highgate's commitment to enhancing business performance, ensuring superb guest experiences, and fostering opportunities for its employees.

In his new role, Sams will oversee the overall performance across Highgate's extensive portfolio of 500 properties. His primary focus will be on nurturing a people-first culture, which is a cornerstone of Highgate’s operational philosophy. By collaborating closely with Highgate’s Principals, including CEO Arash Azarbarzin, and other leaders within the organization, Sams aims to leverage the company’s strengths in areas such as systems, talent management, procurement, and market intelligence. This is expected to generate meaningful value for property owners and partners alike.

“Pete possesses a remarkable history of unlocking potential and inspiring teams to achieve sustained success within complex environments,” said Mahmood Khimji, Co-Chairman and Managing Principal at Highgate. “His dynamic leadership style and operational insight will significantly sharpen our strategic direction, accelerate growth, and enhance the value we provide to our owners and partners globally.”

Sams himself expressed enthusiasm about his new position, stating, “I am honored to join Highgate, a premier operator in the hospitality industry. The mission to create a future-ready organization rooted in operational excellence and a strategic eye on value creation is truly motivating. I look forward to working collaboratively to enhance Highgate’s standing as an industry leader in innovation and trustworthy partnerships.”

With over 30 years in the hospitality sector, Sams has established a strong track record for driving profitability and achieving organizational success. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Peregrine Hospitality, formerly known as KSL Resorts, where he was responsible for performance management, operational optimization, and steering the direction of a rapidly growing portfolio of luxury and lifestyle properties.

Before his time at Peregrine, Sams held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Davidson Hospitality Group, overseeing a diverse portfolio exceeding 85 properties and guiding the organization through significant growth spurts. His earlier career includes notable roles as Executive Vice President at Interstate Hotels & Resorts and various directorships at White Lodging Services and Omni Hotels, which marks the start of his journey in hospitality.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sams is also a proud veteran of the United States Army. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance with honors from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He continues to benefit the hospitality industry by serving on several advisory boards and as a two-term representative on the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Board of Directors.

About Highgate

Highgate is a leading hotel management, investment, and development company recognized as a key player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, and Honolulu. It is now expanding its presence into Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Highgate guides properties through all stages of the property lifecycle, offering expertise from planning and development phases to recapitalization and disposition. The company boasts a diverse portfolio featuring lifestyle and legacy hotel brands along with independent hotels and resorts, all equipped with state-of-the-art programming and digital technology. Highgate's executive team comprises some of the most experienced leaders in hotel management, making the company a trusted partner for numerous ownership groups and major hotel chains. For more information, visit www.highgate.com.