Written by Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta) today announced that John Murray, a Director of Sonesta since 2018, has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2022.
Mr. Murray has been a Managing Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Service Properties Trust (Nasdaq: SVC), which owns a 34% interest in Sonesta, since 2018 and a member of SVC’s management team since its initial public offering in 1995. Mr. Murray currently serves on the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Development Council and the American Hotel Lodging Association (ALHA) Hotel Investment Roundtable. Mr. Murray succeeds Carlos Flores, who is resigning from his position of the last seven years effective March 31, 2022 to relocate his family back to California. Following his resignation, Mr. Flores will continue with Sonesta as an advisor to Mr. Murray and the company.
In connection with his transition to President and Chief Executive Officer of Sonesta, Mr. Murray will resign from his roles as President and Chief Executive Officer of Service Properties Trust and President and Chief Executive Officer of Industrial Logistics Properties Trust (Nasdaq: ILPT). Mr. Murray will continue to serve as a Managing Trustee on the boards of SVC and ILPT. Mr. Murray will also continue to serve as Executive Vice President of The RMR Group (Nasdaq: RMR) and a member of RMR’s Executive Operating Committee. Sonesta, SVC and ILPT are clients of RMR, a leading U.S. alternative asset management company.