Five Star Group, a private commercial real estate investment, development and management firm focused on Southeastern hospitality projects, names Kimberly Rowell executive vice president of Five Star Hospitality Management. Rowell joined the organization in February 2023.

With more than 35 years of hospitality leadership, Rowell has worked for such leading industry organizations as Blackstone, Winegardner & Hammons, ZMC Hotels, and HP Hotels while driving operational excellence across a diverse portfolio of Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Wyndham and Choice Hotels. Her expertise spans operations, finance, accounting, revenue management, human resources, sales, marketing, quality control and franchise and owner relations. Rowell is a founding board member of the Extended Stay Lodging Association and an active advocate for Women Leading Hospitality.

“Joining Five Star Hospitality has been the perfect capstone to my career,” Rowell said. “Collaborating with our dedicated team and founding members, I am honored to contribute to our shared vision of excellence, growth, and integrity as we steer towards new heights.”

Additionally, Dream Capital, Five Star’s affiliated full-service commercial real estate investment firm that sponsors and co-invests in projects across multiple states and segments, names Justin Patel senior associate, investments and asset management.

“Justin takes an insightful approach to project management, making him an invaluable member of the Dream Capital team as we continue to provide our investors with the opportunity to invest in both credit and equity investments in various asset classes in commercial real estate,” said Ankit Govan, managing principal and co-founder, Dream Capital. “We remain committed to pursuing acquisition and development opportunities with well-branded hotels such as Hilton and Marriott in markets with high barriers to entry. With a wealth of asset management and investment experience, Justin is the ideal candidate to help us along the path.”

Patel most recently was senior asset management analyst with Peachtree Group, where he asset managed more than 20 limited-, select- and full-service hotels across the nation and successfully assisted in 12 dispositions. Prior to that, he was asset manager for 33 Degrees, a commercial real estate management firm.