Walter Isenberg
Walter L. Isenberg | |
---|---|
Born | 1958 (age 57–58) |
Residence | Denver |
Nationality | B.A. Cornell University |
Occupation | businessman |
Known for | co-founder, CEO, and president of Sage Hospitality Resources |
Spouse(s) | Christie Isenberg |
Children | two |
Walter L. Isenberg (born 1958) is an American businessman and co-founder, CEO, and president of Sage Hospitality Resources.[1][2]
Biography
Isenberg worked as a dishwasher at a hotel while in high school where he was introduced to the hospitality industry.[1] He graduated from Cornell University with a degree in hospitality management.[2] After college, he took a position with the Atlanta-based Southern House Hotel where he quickly developed a reputation as a troubleshooter turning around struggling hotels.[1] After having worked in seven different cities over a period of four years, he and fellow Cornell alumni and friend, Zachary Neumeyer founded Sage Hospitality Resources in 1984.[1] Instead of owning hotels outright, Sage Hospitality initially focused on operating, managing, and market positioning of hotels for their owners. In the 1990s, they began to acquire hotels outright expanding beyond hotel management.[1] Since their founding, Sage Hospitality has turned around of dozens of distressed properties and supervised the restoration and conversion of historically significant buildings located in large urban centers to hotel use.[3] As of 2014, has a presence in 23 states owns and operates 60 hotels and 10 independent restaurants in 22 states. They serve the full range of hotels from urban full-service hotels to smaller boutique-style hotels.[1] The company has three divisions: premier and lifestyle hotels; premium branded hotels; and restaurants.[1]
Isenberg serves as President of Marriott's Fairfield Inn Franchise Advisory Council and is the Chairman of the Campaign to Restore Historic Treat Hall for Johnson & Wales University.[2] He serves on the boards of The Children's Hospital Foundation, the Mountain States Employers Council, the Renaissance Hotels and Resorts Advisory Council, the HFS Management Company Advisory Board, the Holiday Inns Franchise Council, Directors at University Of Colorado Foundation, the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau; The Downtown Denver Partnership; the Colorado Concern; Historic Denver Inc., and Mile High Child Care.[2] Since March 2014, he has been a Director of American Hotel And Lodging Association.[2]
Personal life
He is married to Christie Isenberg; they have two daughters: daughters Nicole and Tirunesh.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Denver Business Journal: "Denver hospitality CEO says he'll have to adapt to remain successful (just like he's always done)" by Elizabeth Millard December 9, 2014
- 1 2 3 4 5 BusinessWeek: "Walter L. Isenberg " retrieved May 10, 2015
- 1 2 Colorado Concern: "Walter Isenberg - President and CEO – Sage Hospitality retrieved may 10, 2015