sbe Announces Jorge Giannattasio as Chief Operating Officer

Former Starwood Chief of Latin American Joins Leading Global Lifestyle Hospitality Company to Spearhead Daily Operations

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sbe

Jan 18, 2017, 10:00 ET

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- sbe, the Los Angeles-based leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hospitality venues globally, today announced that Jorge Giannattasio has joined as Chief Operating Officer. In his role, he will work closely with sbe Founder and CEO Sam Nazarian to oversee the daily operations across the sbe platform.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jorge to sbe," stated Nazarian. "In December, we announced the acquisition of Morgans Hotel Group and greatly expanded our portfolio. Jorge will manage our day-to-day operations as we continue to develop into the only preeminent lifestyle hospitality company that offers a 360-degree experience. His vast expertise in the industry and global experience will be a valuable asset as we grow."

"sbe is one of the most relevant lifestyle hospitality brands and I am thrilled to be joining the company," stated Giannattasio. "I look forward to working closely with Sam and the hotel venue owners as well as continue the path of growth, which the business has been on with its monumental developments in recent years."

Giannattasio is an experienced executive with a 25-year international career. Prior to his current position, he held a variety of leadership roles at Starwood Hotels and Resorts since 2004. Most recently, he served as SVP/Chief of Latin America and Caribbean Operations of Starwood Hotels, overseeing the operation, development quality and financial performance of approximately 100 hotels in over 19 countries. As Chief of Starwood Latin America and Caribbean Operations, he doubled the pace of Starwood's development in Latin America, posted record levels of customer satisfaction scores and obtained unprecedented market share gains. Giannattasio was also responsible for the signing and opening of the first U.S. Hotel in Cuba since 1959, with the opening of the Four Points by Sheraton La Habana and the subsequent signing of another luxury hotel in Havana. He also previously served as CFO for Starwood North America Division and CFO of the Latin American Division.

Previously, Giannattasio worked at Deloitte for 10 years in audit and assurance in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the U.S. practice. Upon leaving the public accounting arena, he joined Boston Scientific Corporation where he held a variety of finance and accounting positions in their international divisions.

Giannattasio holds a CPA from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina and a degree in Business Management from the IAE School of Management.

About sbe
Established in 2002 by Founder and CEO Sam Nazarian, sbe is a privately-held, leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hotels, residences, restaurants and nightclubs. Through exclusive partnerships with cultural visionaries, sbe is devoted to creating extraordinary experiences throughout its proprietary brands with a commitment to authenticity, sophistication, mastery and innovation. Following the acquisition of Morgans Hotel Group, the pioneer of boutique lifestyle hotels, sbe has an unparalleled global portfolio featuring 22 world-class lifestyle hotel properties in 9 attractive gateway markets and more than 129 global world-renowned hotel, entertainment and food & beverage outlets. The company is uniquely positioned to offer a complete lifestyle experience - from nightlife, food & beverage and entertainment to hotels and residences, and through its innovative customer loyalty and rewards program, The Code, as well as its award-winning international real estate development subsidiary, Dakota Development - all of which solidify sbe as the preeminent leader across hospitality. sbe will continue its expansion with 13 hotel properties opening in the next two years (some with residences), including the SLS New York, SLS Seattle, Mondrian Doha and Mondrian Dubai. The company's established and upcoming hotel brands include SLS Hotel & Residences, Delano, Mondrian, Redbury, Hyde Hotel & Residences, Clift, Hudson, Morgans, Royalton, Sanderson and St Martins Lane. In addition, sbe has the following international acclaimed restaurants and lounges: Katsuya, Cleo, The Bazaar by José Andrés, Fi'lia by Michael Schwartz, Umami Burger, Hyde Lounge and Skybar. More information about sbe can be obtained at sbe.com or by downloading the sbe App.