Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> April 27, 2001
LAURENCE S. GELLER is CEO of Strategic Hotel Capital, L.L.C. From May
1997 to the present he has been with this multinational organization
specializing in ownership and intensive value added asset management
services of first-class and luxury lodging real estate. From December
1989 to the present he was the founder and Chairman of Geller & Co.,
Chicago, Illinois. Geller & Co. is a real estate, gaming, tourism and
lodging industry advisory company. Mr. Geller specialized in major
hotel, corporate and real estate development, financing and structuring
on an international basis. From 1984 through 1989, Mr. Geller was
Executive Vice President and COO of Hyatt Development Corporation,
Chicago, Illinois. He was responsible for real estate financing,
development, construction, asset management, gaming development
strategic planning, long stay product, and congregate care. Mr. Geller
was a Finance and Development Consultant for major chains including
Hyatt, Marriott, and Holiday Inn from 1981 to 1985. He consulted for all
North American and International development and financing activities in
addition to new product development. Also he was a Partner with Safari
Management, Inc., which owned and operated 18 Holiday Inn Hotels.
Additionally, Mr. Geller was a 50% partner in Berins & Co., Dallas,
Texas from 1981 to 1989. This firm was a national lodging industry
consultancy practice which was sold in 1989 to Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr.
Geller was Senior Vice President of Holiday Inns, Inc., Memphis,
Tennessee from 1976 to 1981 and was responsible for US Development with
Planning, Real Estate, Financing and Franchising. Previously he had
international responsibility, which included operations, franchising,
development, real estate, financing, marketing, strategic and financial
planning for Holiday Inn, Inc. outside of USA. From 1971 to 1976, Mr.
Geller was a Director for Grand Metropolitan Hotels in London. He was
responsible for development, real estate, financing, marketing, food and
beverage operations, management contract growth, international
expansion, gaming development, diversification and international
operations. Profile
Mr. Geller: We'll be four years old on May 1st, and we were started with
the purpose of becoming the preeminent owner and asset manager
