First Hospitality Group, Inc., Hires General Manager and Director of Sales for Residence Inn by Marriott in Omaha

ROSEMONT, Ill.  January 25, 2013 — Rosemont, Ill.-based First Hospitality Group, Inc., (FHG) announced today the hiring of Kyle Highberg as general manager and Cari Schaefer as director of sales for the company’s soon-to-open Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown. First Hospitality Group, Inc. President and COO Robert Habeeb made the announcement.

First Hospitality Group, Inc. is in the process of transforming the historic Federal Building in Omaha, Neb. to a Residence Inn by Marriott. Projected to open this summer, the 152-room hotel will highlight the building’s original art deco style, while offering the modern amenities and convenience today’s travelers expect.

As general manager, Highberg will oversee all hotel operations, including hiring and training staff, coordinating with vendors and clients, developing advertising strategies and managing the hotel’s budget. As director of sales, Schaefer will build and drive the hotel’s sales team, promote the hotel within the Omaha community and create sales and advertising strategies to position the hotel for optimum success.

“Kyle and Cari are incredible assets to the Residence Inn by Marriott in Downtown Omaha and will serve as outstanding leaders of this much anticipated hotel,” said Habeeb. “Their passion for the hospitality industry and their dedication to providing quality customer service, combined with their knowledge of the local community, make them the perfect fit to lead this team.”

Prior to joining FHG, Highberg served as general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Omaha. He will earn his degree in Business Administration from Bellevue University this June and is a member of the Metropolitan Hospitality Association. Schaefer previously served as the IBT sales manager at the Omaha Marriott-Regency and as the director of sales at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Stillwater, Okla. She earned her degree in Business Management from Oklahoma State University.

The development of this Residence Inn by Marriott is First Hospitality Group, Inc.’s latest in a series of conversion projects from a different asset class aimed at maximizing the potential of historic properties. This hotel follows the development of the Fairfield Inn and Suites in downtown Omaha and the Hyatt Place hotel in the historic Liberty Building in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Most recently, the company converted the historic Loyalty Building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to a Hilton Garden Inn, which opened its doors in November 2012.

First Hospitality Group, Inc., is a national, experienced, and established hospitality management, and development company serving the investment and real estate industries.  Since 1985, FHG has been an award-winning pioneer in the hospitality industry.  FHG has successfully developed, marketed and managed over 16 brands and 50 properties throughout the Midwest. Visit www.fhginc.com.

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Andrea Trapani
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