For immediate release
Hotel Brokers International, the nation’s leading hotel brokerage network, announced top sales performers of 2020 during the organization’s 62nd Annual Meeting held in February. Michelle Kennedy, HBI President, presented the following hotel real estate sales achievement awards:
Joseph P. Kennedy, president of Crystal Investment Property, LLC located in Vancouver, Washington, received HBI’s highest honor – Broker of the Year. Kennedy received this recognition of excellence in hotel real estate brokerage based on outstanding sales volume and participation in the industry. Mr. Kennedy earned this honor previously in 2019 and in 2016. Kennedy was also recognized for structuring the Single Asset Sale of the Year. The transaction recognized was a 90-key Homewood Suites located in New Braunfels, Texas. Mr. Kennedy is a thirty-year hotel and restaurant industry veteran and has earned the professional designation of Certified Hotel Broker.
Ford C. Barton, Principal of Lodging Partners – a specialized hotel brokerage firm located in Charlotte, North Carolina – was named Top Broker of the U.S. Eastern Region.
Jennifer Church, President of Milmark Hotel/Motel Investments, LLC, was recognized as the Top Broker of the U.S. Central Region.
Brett Morganti, Managing Broker and owner of Red 4 Realty, Inc. of Castle Rock, Colorado was awarded Top Broker in the U.S. Mountain/Pacific Region. While his associate, Dan Emert, was named the region’s Top Salesperson. Morganti was also presented the HBI Member Merit award, acknowledging his excellence in leadership and significant contributions to the association and its members. Morganti took the lead in the development, design and launch of the new HBI website – hbihotels.com. The website provides HBI Brokers several new marketing options including listing deal rooms. Morganti lead every phase of the project, bringing it in under budget, while simultaneously earning top sales honors in his region all during a very challenging year.
Also, during the meeting, Honorary Lifetime Membership was bestowed upon Ronald R. McCord, vice president of Wisconsin-based Milmark Hotel/Motel Investments, LLC. Honorary Lifetime Membership recognizes brokers who have experienced distinguished, successful careers in hotel brokerage. Mr. McCord has recently announced his retirement after providing more than 50 years of service in hotel brokerage – 26 of those years McCord was affiliated with Hotel Brokers International. McCord served on the HBI Board of Directors for nine years and was elected the organization’s president in 2003 and 2004.
Founded in 1959, Hotel Brokers International members lead the industry in hotel real estate sales. HBI hotel brokerage specialists have successfully negotiated more than 10,000 hotel real estate transactions and consistently account for the largest share of all select-service and economy hotel sales in the United States. The organization’s database currently comprises more than 100 property listings and the HBI website attracts site visitors from around the world. HBI is the founder and administrator of the Certified Hotel Broker program – the industry’s only professional designation for Hotel Brokers. In addition to hospitality real estate advisory services, HBI offers affiliate membership to professionals in allied fields, including franchising, lending, appraisals, and investment services. For more information about HBI’s hotel listings or to become a broker or affiliate member, visit hbihotels.com.
Hotel Brokers International
Kansas City, Missouri
816.505.4315
gwebb@hbihotels.com
Becoming a member of Hotel Brokers International will provide opportunities to further your brokerage career.
Learn MoreHotel Brokers International’s affiliate program positions hospitality service providers in the center of the largest, most comprehensive brokerage network in the industry.
Learn MoreThe industry’s only certification in hotel brokerage, designed to distinguish those who have advanced their professionalism and competence in hotel brokerage.
Learn More