Highgate has announced the appointment of Pete Sams as president, effective July 7th.
In this newly created role, Sams will oversee enterprise-wide performance across Highgate’s portfolio of 500 properties, leveraging its capabilities across systems, talent, procurement and market intelligence to deliver meaningful value for owners and partners. He will work closely with Highgate’s Principals, including principal and CEO Arash Azarbarzin.
“Pete brings an extraordinary track record of unlocking performance, energizing teams, and delivering sustained results across complex portfolios, “said Mahmood Khimji, co-chairman and managing principal at Highgate. “His dynamic leadership and deep operational expertise will be a catalyst to sharpen our strategic focus, accelerate growth and elevate the value we deliver to our owners and partners around the world.”
Sams brings over 30 years of industry experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as the chief operating officer at Peregrine Hospitality, formerly KSL Resorts, where he led the company’s performance management, operational optimization and strategic direction. Before Peregrine, Sams also served as COO at Davidson Hospitality Group, where he oversaw a portfolio of more than 85 properties.
“I am honored to step into the role of President of the premier operator in our space,” said Sams. “Highgate’s mission to build a future-ready organization anchored in operational excellence, guided by strategic foresight, and driven by a relentless focus on value creation is deeply inspiring. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience to this dynamic team. Together with our stakeholders, we will enhance Highgate’s role as an industry leader in
innovation and trusted partnership.”
Earlier in his career, Sams served as executive vice president, full-service operations at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, regional vice president at White Lodging Services, as well as nearly two decades with Omni Hotels, where he began his hospitality journey and ultimately grew to serve numerous leadership positions, including general manager and area director of finance.