Denihan Names Thomas Mathes Regional VP Operations NY

New York, NY (USA) – 30 May 2012 – Denihan Hospitality Group, a full-service hotel management and development company that owns and operates boutique hotels in major urban markets in the U.S., today announced that Thomas Mathes has joined the company as Vice President, Operations, New York, effective immediately. In his new role, Mathes will oversee the company’s New York regional team and the daily operations, sales, revenue, financial services and human resources for Denihan’s Manhattan portfolio of hotels. He reports to Danette Opaczewski, executive vice president operations.

Mathes joins Denihan with over 17 years of experience in the upscale and luxury hotel sectors in both New York City and Chicago. Previously with Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, he most recently served as the opening general manager for the Eventi in Manhattan. Mathes also served as general manager of The Muse Hotel in Manhattan and Hotel Burnham in Chicago, and held senior management positions at Hotel Allegro and Hotel Monaco, also in Chicago.

An avid community activist both personally and professionally, Mathes donates time to assist in student activity programs for top performers at New York City schools in the Bronx and Manhattan, and also volunteers for the Children’s Aid Society and the Gay Men’s Health Crisis organization. He is a current member of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA). Previously, he served on the board of directors of the Harlem Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association and the Chicago International Film Festival.

“With Thomas on our team we know his highly developed set of talents and energy will be a true asset for us on our journey of growing Denihan,” Opaczewski said.

“I am honored to be offered an opportunity to lead the New York City operations of a company that has owned a successful portfolio of Manhattan boutique hotels for 50 years,” said Mathes. “Denihan’s legacy of operational excellence and high level of intellect is highly-regarded in the industry, and I am looking forward to contributing to the company’s continued success.”

Denihan’s New York City portfolio includes five properties operating under the Affinia brand; The James New York in SoHo; luxury independents The Surrey and The Benjamin; and affiliates including The Mansfield, The Franklin and the Eastgate Tower.

About Denihan Hospitality Group
Denihan Hospitality Group is a privately-held, full-service hotel management and development company that owns and operates 14 boutique hotels in major urban markets in the U.S. Over the past 50 years, the Denihan family has built a world-class lodging investment platform within the boutique hotel space, creating value by acquiring, repositioning and managing independent hotels.

The Denihan portfolio includes properties operating under The James and Affinia Hotels brands, as well as Manhattan luxury independents, The Surrey and The Benjamin, and affiliates including the Royal Palm in Miami, and The Mansfield and The Franklin in New York City. Denihan’s hotels include an impressive list of chef-driven restaurants and bars, including Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s The National Bar and Dining Rooms at The Benjamin; David Burke Kitchen at The James New York; Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud at The Surrey; David Burke’s Primehouse at The James Chicago; and Art Smith’s Art and Soul at the Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia hotel in Washington, D.C.

The company’s uniquely guest-centric approach, refined through three generations of Denihan leadership, has made it an industry leader in hospitality, property and restaurant development, as well as hotel operations, management and marketing. In 2011, Denihan was named to Inc. Magazine’s 500|5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies for the third year in a row, where it topped the list of full-service hotel companies.

Media Contact:
Katie Meyer
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Denihan Hospitality Group
646 424 2614
katie.meyer@denihan.com