Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> May 31, 2012

Ashford Hospitality Trust (AHT)

Kessler, Douglas A.
Douglas A. Kessler is the President of Ashford Hospitality Trust. He previously had served as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Acquisitions for the company. Mr. Kessler has spearheaded virtually all of Ashford's key initiatives, including investments, sales, capital market activities, property financing, corporate credit facilities, joint ventures and strategic direction. Previously, he was a Managing Director of the company’s predecessor before leading Ashford’s initial public offering. Before that time, Mr. Kessler spent about 10 years with Goldman Sachs’ Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, where he asset managed more than $11 billion of real estate and served on the board or executive committee of several companies. Formerly, Mr. Kessler also worked at Trammell Crow Ventures. Mr. Kessler has more than 25 years of experience in real estate strategy, investments, sales, finance, asset management and capital markets. He earned his MBA and B.A. from Stanford University. Profile
TWST: Please introduce our readers to Ashford Hospitality Trust with a brief company history and an overview of its operations and portfolio today.

Mr. Kessler: Although our predecessor