ATLANTA,
January 17, 2024—Hospitality Ventures
Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, privately-owned third-party hotel operator
and investor, today announced that Mike "Woody" Woodward has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer. In his new role as a member of HVMG's
executive team, Woodward will lead the organization's growth and investment team and be
responsible for strategies that lead to both third-party management agreements
and property acquisitions. In addition, he will have a strong focus on
owner and investor relationships.
"From
the restaurant industry to hotels, Woody has been a rising star and thus far
has had a phenomenal hospitality career, implementing highly successful sales
and growth strategies across multiple brands and companies," said Robert Cole,
CEO, HVMG. "With an extensive track record of success
sourcing new opportunities, building teams and both cultivating new and maximizing
existing relationships, his
ingenuity and tenacity have led to almost unprecedented growth with the two
hospitality companies he had been with over the past 18 years. Woody's expertise, enthusiasm, authenticity
and competitive nature are just a few of his key attributes that we thought
would be ideal and a great fit as we ambitiously pursue our growth objectives
in the coming years, and I am thrilled to welcome Woody to our team."
Prior to joining HVMG, Woodward was senior
vice president of franchise development for Focus Brands, a developer of global
food service brands such as Schlotzsky's, Carvel, Cinnabon,
Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli and Auntie Anne's. While there, he
led the top-level
franchise sales team, which overall consisted of 20 team members. He and his team added close to 500 agreements
in 2023, a record year for Focus Brands.
Previously, Woodward was senior
vice president of franchise development for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, where
he was promoted several times during his 16-year tenure and ultimately responsible
for the growth of 20 hotel brands. He led all aspects of the 22-person franchise sales
and development functions, including the independent brand franchises, sales
and real estate teams. Under his
leadership, Wyndham experienced unit growth that positioned it at the time as
the world's largest franchisor.
Woodward also has held sales
management positions with Pfizer and Phoenix Life Insurance Company. During his 20-year career, he has received multiple
RVP of the Year, All-Star and President's Club awards. Woodward earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics
from the University of Connecticut while playing all four years for the Men's
basketball team.
"Helping companies expand and grow to the
next level is a passion of mine, as it combines the best elements of strategic
planning and relationship building," Woodward said. "HVMG has a stellar reputation as one of the
leading third-party operators in the hospitality industry, and I look forward
to growing with the company."
