Palette Hotels, a nationwide, full-service hotel management company, name Joseph Yi chief investment officer. In his new role, Yi will oversee the firm’s investment platform, grow the company’s corporate-owned and third-party asset management portfolio and lead Palette’s strategic growth initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and scale of the company’s portfolio.
“With cumulative experience in more than $4 billion in hotel-related transactions, Joseph brings deep expertise in sourcing and structuring complex deals, forming programmatic joint ventures, raising institutional capital and optimizing investment returns,” Palette CEO Richard Lou said in a statement. “His leadership has consistently aligned cross-functional teams, capital partners, and operational stakeholders to deliver strategic value and long-term growth, making him the ideal candidate to expand Palette’s portfolio as we continue to grow nationally.”
Over the past 20 years, Yi has gained experience in acquisitions, capital markets, asset management and strategic development. He previously held chief investment officer roles at Frontier Development & Hospitality Group and Real Hospitality Group.
In his position with Real Hospitality Group, he played a pivotal role in the firm’s expansion from 40 to over 100 hotels, launched its first investment vehicle in 2017 and directed over $100 million in lodging asset acquisitions. He also led the company’s global expansion, establishing its first international venture in China.
Prior to that, he was vice president of investments and general counsel at Lam Group, a prominent hotel development firm with more than 30 ground-up projects, and managing director of acquisitions with SHVO, a luxury developer in the United States.