Highgate Selects Pete Sams as New President to Lead Growth
Highgate, a prominent player in the hotel management, investment and development sectors, has made a significant leadership change with the appointment of Pete Sams as President. This strategic move aims to further enhance the company’s operational excellence and firm focus on guest satisfaction and associate development.
Effective July 7, 2025, Pete Sams will take charge in this newly established position. His responsibilities will include optimizing overall business performance across Highgate’s expansive portfolio of approximately 500 properties. This leadership position underscores the company's commitment to fostering a positive culture centered on its people.
Sams will work closely with Highgate’s team, including CEO Arash Azarbarzin and other key leaders within the organization. His approach will focus on harnessing the capabilities of the company to create substantial value for owners and partners, strengthening Highgate’s leadership in the competitive hospitality landscape. The aim is to ensure that the company maintains agility and executes strategies effectively, all while fostering an environment of innovation.
Mahmood Khimji, Co-Chairman and Managing Principal at Highgate, expressed confidence in Sams' experience, noting his impressive track record of optimizing performance and energizing teams. "Pete brings an extraordinary track record of unlocking performance, energizing teams, and delivering sustained results across complex portfolios," said Khimji. This endorsement highlights the expectations set for Sams and the ambition behind Highgate's strategic vision moving forward.
In his remarks, Sams conveyed excitement and honor in taking on this vital role within such a renowned organization. He acknowledged Highgate’s mission of developing a future-ready enterprise that thrives on operational excellence, strategic vision, and incessant value creation. Drawing from a rich history in the hospitality sector and a passion for innovation, Sams aims to elevate Highgate’s standing as an industry leader.
Sams brings with him over 30 years of exemplary leadership experience that has resulted in noteworthy profitability and excellence in organizational performance. Previously, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Peregrine Hospitality, where he focused on operational optimization and strategic growth in a rapidly expanding luxury portfolio. This experience will be instrumental in driving Highgate’s growth trajectory.
Before his tenure at Peregrine, Sams was the Chief Operating Officer at Davidson Hospitality Group, managing over 85 properties and guiding them through significant expansion phases. His career has also encompassed key roles at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, White Lodging Services, and a lengthy tenure with Omni Hotels, where he advanced through various pivotal leadership positions.
Sams is not only an accomplished executive but also a proud veteran of the United States Army. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Finance from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. Additionally, he continues to contribute to the hospitality sector through his active involvement in brand advisory boards and as a two-term representative on the Board of Directors for the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA).
Highgate stands as a leader in the hotel management, investment, and development arena, particularly within major U.S. metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, and Miami. The company has an established reputation for excellence and effectiveness in managing incorporated properties, ensuring maximum asset value and delivering premier guest experiences. Highgate’s operations are driven by specialized revenue management tools that adapt to shifting market conditions, a testament to their strategic foresight in a competitive industry.
With Sams leading the charge, Highgate aims to sharpen its focus on innovation and trusted relationships with stakeholders globally. Highgate’s commitment to operational excellence, strategic growth, and delivering unparalleled guest experiences positions it strongly for the future as it continues to navigate and prosper in the evolving landscape of hospitality services.
Effective July 7, 2025, Pete Sams will take charge in this newly established position. His responsibilities will include optimizing overall business performance across Highgate’s expansive portfolio of approximately 500 properties. This leadership position underscores the company's commitment to fostering a positive culture centered on its people.
Sams will work closely with Highgate’s team, including CEO Arash Azarbarzin and other key leaders within the organization. His approach will focus on harnessing the capabilities of the company to create substantial value for owners and partners, strengthening Highgate’s leadership in the competitive hospitality landscape. The aim is to ensure that the company maintains agility and executes strategies effectively, all while fostering an environment of innovation.
Mahmood Khimji, Co-Chairman and Managing Principal at Highgate, expressed confidence in Sams' experience, noting his impressive track record of optimizing performance and energizing teams. "Pete brings an extraordinary track record of unlocking performance, energizing teams, and delivering sustained results across complex portfolios," said Khimji. This endorsement highlights the expectations set for Sams and the ambition behind Highgate's strategic vision moving forward.
In his remarks, Sams conveyed excitement and honor in taking on this vital role within such a renowned organization. He acknowledged Highgate’s mission of developing a future-ready enterprise that thrives on operational excellence, strategic vision, and incessant value creation. Drawing from a rich history in the hospitality sector and a passion for innovation, Sams aims to elevate Highgate’s standing as an industry leader.
Sams brings with him over 30 years of exemplary leadership experience that has resulted in noteworthy profitability and excellence in organizational performance. Previously, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Peregrine Hospitality, where he focused on operational optimization and strategic growth in a rapidly expanding luxury portfolio. This experience will be instrumental in driving Highgate’s growth trajectory.
Before his tenure at Peregrine, Sams was the Chief Operating Officer at Davidson Hospitality Group, managing over 85 properties and guiding them through significant expansion phases. His career has also encompassed key roles at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, White Lodging Services, and a lengthy tenure with Omni Hotels, where he advanced through various pivotal leadership positions.
Sams is not only an accomplished executive but also a proud veteran of the United States Army. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Finance from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. Additionally, he continues to contribute to the hospitality sector through his active involvement in brand advisory boards and as a two-term representative on the Board of Directors for the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA).
Highgate stands as a leader in the hotel management, investment, and development arena, particularly within major U.S. metropolitan areas such as New York, Boston, and Miami. The company has an established reputation for excellence and effectiveness in managing incorporated properties, ensuring maximum asset value and delivering premier guest experiences. Highgate’s operations are driven by specialized revenue management tools that adapt to shifting market conditions, a testament to their strategic foresight in a competitive industry.
With Sams leading the charge, Highgate aims to sharpen its focus on innovation and trusted relationships with stakeholders globally. Highgate’s commitment to operational excellence, strategic growth, and delivering unparalleled guest experiences positions it strongly for the future as it continues to navigate and prosper in the evolving landscape of hospitality services.
Topics Business Technology）
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