Rebel Hotel Company, a hotel management platform focused on lifestyle, luxury and independent hospitality, has announced the appointment of four senior leaders to its executive team. These moves come amid a period of accelerated growth for the company, marked by numerous acquisitions across the U.S. and the launch of Renegade Hotels, its focus-service platform, which scaled to ten hotels nationwide in its first four months.
Gary J. Thomas has joined the company as COO. Thomas brings decades of leadership experience across premier lifestyle and luxury brands. Most recently, he served as SVP at Aimbridge Hospitality, where he oversaw the Evolution vertical, a diverse portfolio of lifestyle/luxury properties across the U.S. and Canada. Thomas previously oversaw and led operations for Makeready Hotels. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles with Ian Schrager and Morgans Hotel Group, served as area general manager for SBE Hotels and played key roles in the rebranding of The Redbury New York and the pre-opening of SLS Park Avenue. His experience also includes serving as general manager of SLS Beverly Hills and opening as managing director of The LINE Los Angeles.
Tanya Sims joins Rebel as VP of operations, bringing more than 25 years of hospitality leadership experience. Prior to Rebel, Sims served as VP of operations at Aimbridge Hospitality for five years and previously held the same role at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, where she supported portfolio operations through the integration of Rim Hospitality’s management contracts.
Kelly Makino has been appointed as head of human resources. An experienced people and culture leader, Makino brings a strong background in talent strategy, organizational development and employee engagement within the hospitality sector. Most recently, she served as VP of people & culture at The Wurzak Hotel Group.
Patrick Horstmann has been named director of luxury & lifestyle. With more than 20 years of experience in luxury and lifestyle hospitality, Horstmann has held senior leadership roles with several brands, including Denihan Hospitality Group, Gansevoort Hotel Group and Morgans Hotel Group’s Shore Club Miami Beach.
“As Rebel continues to grow and evolve, these leadership appointments are a direct reflection of our momentum and our plans for meaningful expansion in 2026,” said Brian Sparacino, Rebel’s president and CEO. “We are investing ahead of growth—building a best-in-class team that allows us to scale thoughtfully while preserving the entrepreneurial, performance-driven culture that defines Rebel.”
