LuxUrban Hotels Inc. (Nasdaq: LUXH) today announced that it has named hotel and hospitality industry veteran Robert Arigo as its Chief Operating Officer, effective March 15, 2024.
Mr. Arigo, who brings 35 years of industry experience to LuxUrban, will be primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company's hotel portfolio, with a focus on enhancing property-level operations, optimizing supply chain relationships, elevating the customer experience, and pursuing ancillary revenue opportunities across the Company's portfolio. Mr. Arigo will be augmenting the Company's operations team to support him in this new role.
"Robert is a highly accomplished, hands-on, and seasoned hotel executive who adds depth and experience to LuxUrban at an important point in our growth," said Brian Ferdinand, Chairman and Co-CEO of the Company. "Robert's inspirational approach to leadership has allowed him to develop and implement financial, marketing, and revenue management platforms for some of the largest and most well-known brands in our industry and we are confident that his relationships, knowledge, and know-how will support our planned expansion and evolution. LuxUrban has grown significantly over the last 18 months since our IPO, and we believe we are well positioned to continue to expand in the years ahead. As we continue to evolve and mature, we are in the process of creating an organizational structure that more accurately reflects the Company we are today and, more importantly, the Company we expect to be tomorrow. The primary focus of this process is increased industry representation throughout the Company, and Robert's appointment reflects our commitment to achieving this objective. We welcome Robert to LuxUrban and are excited to begin our work together."
Mr. Arigo joins LuxUrban from M&R Hotel Management, which provides hospitality development, turnaround, and management services to a portfolio of hotels throughout the United States, where he served as Vice President beginning in 2018. Prior to this, Mr. Arigo was Senior Director of Operations at Hersha Hospitality Management (HHM), a hotel management company that operates over 240 properties, including luxury and lifestyle properties, across the United States and Canada. Prior to joining HHM, Mr. Arigo served as the Chief Operating Officer of Widewaters Hotels, a leading developer and owner of branded and independent hotels and extended stay properties, in which position he was integral in shaping that company's growth and operational efficiency. Mr. Arigo's executive experience also includes Highgate Hotels, Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, Crestline Hotels, Interstate Hotels Corporations, and Marriott. Mr. Arigo's work has been recognized with awards that included "Hotel Region of the Year," "Financial Leadership Award," "Hotel of the Year," and "Award of Excellence."
"I am very excited to join LuxUrban at this pivotal moment in its development," said Mr. Arigo. "LuxUrban is pursuing a large opportunity pipeline by employing a unique business model that I believe offers great promise, and I look forward to helping the Company implement its ambitious growth strategies."
Mr. Arigo succeeds Jimmie Chatmon as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Chatmon will remain with LuxUrban in the newly created position of Director of Revenue Management, effective March 15, 2024.
"Jimmie is an exceptional entrepreneur who has played an integral role in LuxUrban's growth, and we are grateful that he will remain a member of the team in this vital position," said Mr. Ferdinand.