Officials of The Buccini/Pollin Group, a privately-held, full-service real estate acquisition, development and management company, today announced that it has promoted Darren R. Anzelone to co-chief investment officer and Brandon S. Flury to vice-president as the company continues its aggressive growth plans into 2014.
?During his decade tenure here, Darren has been responsible for oversight of transactions totaling in excess of $2 billion, including the acquisition, development, and redevelopment of sixteen hotels,? said Dave Pollin, co-founder. ?Brandon has enjoyed similar success at BPG, helping execute financing of transactions totaling more than $725 million. These promotions are an acknowledgement of those achievements, and also demonstrate our commitment to actively, and strategically expanding our hotel portfolio.?
The company will open three new hotels during the second quarter of 2014: Homewood Suites Manhattan/New York, Westin Wilmington Riverfront, and Hampton Inn & Suites Christiana (Newark, DE). The company also has two hotels under construction that will open in 2015: the 310-unit (number) Embassy Suites Manhattan/New York and the 168-room Hampton Inn & Suites Washington, DC Capitol Hill/Ballpark District. In addition, the company is preparing to announce two additional hotel projects, one in the DC Metro area and another in downtown Portland, Oregon. BPG plans to continue to grow its portfolio through acquisitions in 2014 and expects to add five new properties by year end.
A seasoned hospitality veteran, Anzelone joined BPG in 2004. In his new role, he will continue to be responsible for overseeing the development, acquisition and financing of new hotel investments throughout the United States, as well as being actively involved in the asset management of existing investments.
?BPG is well positioned to take advantage of the current real estate cycle,? said Anzelone. ?Assuming nothing drastically unplanned occurs, all metrics point towards the hospitality industry enjoying robust growth for the next two to five years. We will be a very active player during this time.?
Previously, Anzelone was with Fremont Realty Capital, LP, a New York City-based real estate private equity fund and an affiliate of Fremont group, the private investment arm of the Bechtel family. Anzelone currently serves on the Board of the Tewaaraton Foundation (Heisman trophy of collegiate lacrosse), as well as the Board of Bethesda Lacrosse Association, a not-for-profit youth lacrosse organization serving 2,000 boys and girls. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the US Naval Academy, where he was a member of the Navy Lacrosse Team, and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
In his role as vice president, Flury will be responsible for the acquisition, structuring, and financing of new hotel investments, as well as the refinancing and ongoing capitalization of assets currently owned by the company. Since joining BPG in 2007, he has been involved in a full range of underwriting, financing, due diligence, structuring, closing, and development activities on numerous high-profile hospitality projects.
?Hotels are a prime asset class right now,? noted Flury. ?Debt and equity are returning to the market for the right projects. We will take advantage of the renewed interest in the hotel sector as we continue to expand our portfolio.?
Prior to joining BPG in 2007, Flury was a consultant for the global security group at Booz Allen Hamilton. While there, he provided direct, on-site client service for the Department of Homeland Security. Flury holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Relations and Chinese from the College of William & Mary.