LuxUrban Hotels Inc. today announced the appointment of Kimberly (Kim) K. Schaefer, a 30-year real estate and hospitality industry veteran and the former CEO of Great Wolf Resorts, to the Company’s Board of Directors effective March 25, 2024.
From 2020-2024, Ms. Schaefer was the Chief Executive Officer of Two Bit Circus, Inc., an experiential entertainment company, previously serving as President from 2017 to 2019 and as a consultant in 2016. Ms. Schaefer served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc., a family entertainment resorts company, beginning in 2009 until its acquisition by Centerbridge Partners LP in 2015. Ms. Schaefer was instrumental in the expansion of Great Wolf Resorts, growing the company from one cabin to 13 mega indoor waterpark resorts. Prior to being appointed Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Schaefer served as Chief Operating Officer/Chief Brand Officer from 2005 to 2009. Ms. Schaefer has served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Alpine Acquisition Corporation and as an Advisor to merchant bank Alpine Consolidated since 2018.
Ms. Schaefer currently serves on the board of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: HOFV), a resort, entertainment, and media company, and United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS), a global theme park and entertainment company. She served on the board of directors of Education Realty Trust, one of the nation's largest developers, owners, and managers of high-quality collegiate housing communities, from 2016 until its acquisition by Greystar Real Estate Partners in 2018.
Ms. Schaefer received a B.A. in Accounting from Edgewood College and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
“Kim’s appointment to the board reflects our ongoing commitment to increasing industry representation across the enterprise as we continue to evolve and mature as a company,” said Brian Ferdinand, Chairman of the Board. “Kim has spent her career building brands into premier destinations and growing businesses in a creative, structured, and forward-thinking manner. Her nearly 30 years of experience in real estate, hospitality management and finance will be of great benefit to LuxUrban and we welcome her with great enthusiasm.”
Ms. Schaefer commented, “I am honored to join LuxUrban’s board and look forward to applying my history across the hospitality landscape – from start-ups to established brands – as we advance the Company’s innovative business model and elevate the guest experience.”