Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> November 6, 2015

Interview with the President and CEO: Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE:APLE)

Knight, Justin
Justin Knight has served as President of Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., since its inception, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the company in May 2014. He serves on the company’s executive committee as well. Mr. Knight has also served as President of Apple REIT Ten, Inc., since its inception. In addition, he served as President of Apple REIT Seven, Inc., and Apple REIT Eight, Inc., until the companies merged into Apple Hospitality REIT — formerly Apple REIT Nine, Inc. — in March 2014. Mr. Knight also served as President of Apple Hospitality Two, Inc., until it was sold to an affiliate of ING Clarion in May 2007; as President of Apple Hospitality Five, Inc., until it was sold to Inland American Real Estate Trust, Inc., in October 2007; and as President of Apple REIT Six, Inc., until it merged with an affiliate of Blackstone Real Estate Partners VII in May 2013. Mr. Knight joined the Apple REIT companies in 2000. Mr. Knight currently serves on the board of trustees for Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia. He serves on the Marriott Owners Advisory Council, the Residence Inn Association Board, the American Hotel and Lodging Association board of directors, and is the Co-Chair of the American Hotel and Lodging Association Owners Council. Mr. Knight is also a member of the national advisory council for the Marriott School. He is a board member for the Valentine Museum, Venture Richmond and St. Michael’s Episcopal School as well. Mr. Knight holds an MBA with an emphasis in corporate strategy and finance from the Marriott School at Brigham Young University, and a B.A., cum laude, in political science from Brigham Young University. Profile
TWST: Let's start with some background and history of Apple Hospitality as a means of introduction, including the merger and the stock listing events.

Mr. Knight: