EOS Hospitality—a full-service hotel-management company with a portfolio of hotels, resorts, vacation rentals and outdoor lodging—has appointed Ernest Lee as chief commercial officer. In this role, Lee will lead and support the company’s commercial team, overseeing revenue and distribution, marketing, public relations, sales, reservations and business intelligence.
In his new role, Lee will collaborate closely with property teams to refine and elevate revenue management, distribution, marketing and sales strategies. He expects to introduce commercial strategies tailored to improving hotel value for owners by lifting market share and lowering overall costs via centralization, technology, storytelling and forecasting. EOS Hospitality currently operates more than 56 hotels and resorts, totaling more than 7,000 keys across the United States.
With more than 20 years of experience in commercial strategy, hospitality and real estate investment, Lee joins EOS Hospitality from CitizenM Hotels, where he was chief commercial officer. Since joining CitizenM in 2015, Lee led the expansion of the brand’s U.S. footprint from one to 22 hotels; developed a paid membership program and spearheaded initiatives that enhanced corporate sales, optimized distribution, and strengthened the company’s technology infrastructure.
Before his tenure at CitizenM, Lee spent nearly a decade at Cushman & Wakefield, following the acquisition of Sonnenblick-Goldman, where he specialized in hospitality investment sales and advisory for owners, operators and brands.
“Since its founding, I've witnessed EOS quickly establish itself as one of the most respected management companies in the hospitality industry. What sets EOS apart as an operator is its owner-driven mindset and relentless commitment to enhancing long-term asset value,” Lee said in a statement. “I’m truly honored to be joining such an innovative company as it enters its next phase of growth.”
Lee graduated from New York University where he studied Hotel Management and Real Estate Finance. He has remained actively engaged in industry leadership and commercial strategy development throughout his career, serving on the ULI Hotel Development Council, AHLA Owners Committee and Consumer Innovation Forum.