Phoenix Hospitality and Resorts Summit

CEO & DESIGNATED BROKER, DIVERSIFIED PARTNERS, LLC; Walt Brown, Jr., is the Founder, CEO and Designated Broker of Diversified Partners, LLC, a real estate brokerage and development company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Walt began his career in commercial real estate in California in 1990 where he focused on learning and understanding the real estate business while creating valuable relationships through his positions with Terranomics Retail Services (San Francisco & Newport Beach) and then Mahler & Company (Beverly Hills). In 1992, Walt moved from California to Arizona and further expanded his real estate knowledge and contact base as a commercial agent at Core-Jackson, Oncor International (Phoenix). In 1996, he founded Diversified Partners as a full service commercial real estate brokerage company. Over the years, Walt’s passion, executive oversight and “big picture” mentality have contributed to Diversified Partners evolving into one of the leading Development and Brokerage firms in Arizona. Walt’s significant experience in all aspects of the commercial real estate industry for the last thirty-three years has led to a wide range of successes. Together with past and present partners, he has leased, sold, and/or developed more than 5,000 commercial properties and more than 12 million square feet of retail properties located throughout the country. From this he has established quality and long lasting relationships with national credit tenants such as LA Fitness, Starbucks, In-N-Out Burger, WalMart and Home Depot, multiple banks and financial institutions, public/private REIT’s, and numerous major brokerage firms across the United States. The respect Walt has gained from his peers is the reason why Diversified Partners has been hand-picked to represent the national expansion, relocation and/or liquidation of non-productive assets for numerous nationwide entities. His business ethics and personable demeanor have propelled him in the commercial real estate field to an extraordinary level of respect and success. In addition to his successful professional career, Walt is a devoted husband to his wife, Dr. Ruth, and dedicated father to his two sons, Wally III and Cooper James. Family is his number one priority and he makes sure to set aside time for his wife and sons, as well as his brothers and sisters. These strong family values are embedded in all facets of Diversified’s business. Walt has an unmatched passion for dedicating time and contributing monetarily to a variety of charitable organizations, including Home Base Youth, Fresh Start, Labors Community, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. In 2008, City of Hope honored Walt with the Spirit of Life Award for his ongoing dedication and commitment helping City of Hope advance scientifically and improve treatments for people everywhere who face a life-threatening disease. Walt was a collegiate football athlete while at the University of New Mexico and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985.

Adrienne (Kautzman) Andrews is Managing Director with JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group and Phoenix Capital Markets teams based in Phoenix, AZ. Mrs. Andrews has been in the hotel space for 14 years and has closed over $1 billion in hotel loans during her time as an intermediary. Andrews focuses on debt advisory transactions in the Western U.S. with a particular emphasis on growing the group’s select-service presence in the region. Mrs. Andrews works with regional owners, publicly traded entities, and private equity clients. Adrienne’s background in both credit and originations at a balance sheet lender provides a unique perspective and expertise of value to both her clients and her lending relationships. Adrienne has a deep respect for collaboration and bringing the best solution to her clients resulting in repeat business with her clients, colleagues, and lenders. Mrs. Andrews’ prior work experience includes CBRE Institutional Group where she ranked as a Top Producer nationally, locally, and within the Hotel Elite. Before joining CBRE, Mrs. Andrews spent five years at Berkadia, where she was Managing Director for the Berkadia Hotels & Hospitality Group, and was responsible for growing the hotel platform by providing financing solutions to commercial real estate developers and owners throughout the U.S. Before her work as in intermediary, she was Managing Director at GE Franchise Finance Hotel Lending Group, originating senior debt on balance sheet for individual assets and portfolios of nationally franchised select-service and extended-stay hotels, with loans ranging in size from $5 million to $160 million.

Carolyn is responsible for the growth of IHG Hotels & Resort’s premium, lifestyle and luxury brands across the Southwestern region of the U.S. Prior to joining IHG, Carolyn spent several years as the Senior Investment Director for NuovoRE, a private owner and developer of historic adaptive reuse lifestyle hotels across the country. Prior to its merger with Hyatt, Carolyn developed hotels on behalf of Two Roads Hospitality to expand Thompson, AlilA, Joie de Vivre, tommie and Destination brands across the US and Mexico. Carolyn also worked for Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB), where she asset managed properties with a focus on the Western region. Carolyn graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Hotel Administration and lives with her husband in Denver where they enjoy plenty of hiking and skiing in their free time.

Shane Doherty’s entrepreneurial spirit and customer centric approach are excellent complements to his role as Vice President, Commercial National Accounts. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Shane facilitates and oversees transactions while cultivating and fostering intentional relationships with local, regional and national brokers, lenders, principals, developers, attorneys, and other industry stakeholders. As part of the National Commercial Services division, his talents are backed equally by an expert team of title, escrow, and due diligence professionals on a local and national level. Shane seamlessly transitioned to the commercial title arena after a 23+ year career in hospitality, commercial & tribal gaming enterprises, customized distribution & supply chain, and procurement services industries. Shane’s clients have willingly admitted that he is a charismatic leader and brings a high level of change management expertise that help organizations be better and more efficient. He possesses an outstanding ability to develop meaningful connections with people: to build report, ask insightful questions, understand how best to help, and follow through. Shane’s peers will flat out tell you he is useful, intentional, and authentic. Shane grew up in Palos Verdes Estates, CA and attended the University of Arizona (Bear Down!). He moved to Phoenix in 2004, where he resides in North Central Phoenix with his wife Shawnee of 25 years and son, Rhett (17). Outside of the office, Shane enjoys watching Rhett play football at Sunnyslope HS and lacrosse, travelling, golfing, hiking, “Front Yard Fridays”, home improvement, and chairing, advocating and cure seeking for pediatric brain cancer research through the Hope Through Hollis Foundation, created in honor and remembrance of his son Hollis.

Mr. Huffman, born in Wichita Kansas, started his career in the financial industry with Primeline Securities Corporation. Huffman was in charge of private placement real estate for the firm, leaving in 1987 to build his own company. In 1992 Huffman formed HCW LLC with partners Sam Catanese and Marc Williams. Today Huffman and partners have developed over 2.5 billion of real-estate. Huffman was responsible for heading up the award winning Branson Landing in 2004, the project was a 420 million public private partnership. Huffman since then has led the company in development and ownership of several apartment communities and hotels across the country. Huffman also heads up HCW Management LLC, which manages all of HCW properties. Mr Huffman currently resides in Missouri and Arizona, he is involved in several charities as a board member.

Grant is the CEO, co-owner, and visionary behind VAI Resort. As a third-generation leader of Fisher Industries, one of the country’s largest heavy civil construction companies, Grant has been working in the family business for more than a decade and leads its foray into luxury hospitality development and operations with VAI Resort in the Fisher family’s home city.

Nicole designs through an intersection of graphics, built environments, digital design, and brand development to craft multi-faceted user experiences. With more than 16 years of experience, her work centers around building and designing brands through fully immersive experiences and how various user groups interact and engage with her designs in both physical and digital mediums. Her approach to looking at brand as more than just a mark but as something to experience and be a part of—whether in print, digital, or physical environments—adds a dynamic and valuable perspective that aids the team in visualizing the story behind each brand.

Jake loves the practical and creative sides of Architecture. He has been leading the FFKR team in Tempe and their growth in the Hospitality sector as their youngest and only satellite office principal. He sees everyday as an opportunity to learn from his hotel and resort clients and exceed brand expectations. He grew up in Tempe and has loved sharing FFKR's broad experience and landmark portfolio with the Arizona market. He is grateful to his hospitality mentor Milt Elliot, designer of Talking Stick Resort. Recently completed projects include the dual branded Marriott Towneplace Fairfield in Tempe and the Phoenix Downtown Moxy Hotel (adaptive reuse of a historic high-rise).

Mr. Johnson Mathai has been in hospitality security for 39 years and in a management/leadership role for over 34. He has been in hotels and resorts in California and Arizona. During his tenure, he had responsibilities in physical security, guest/team member safety/security, worker’s compensation administration, general liability administration, threat assessment and mitigation, high-profile event security, investigations, crisis management, taskforce management for several hotels, labor dispute taskforce, and audit hotels. He has assisted in opening hotels and conducted training for management. Mr. Mathai has conducted safety and security assessments at several properties and developed action plans. He has developed emergency procedures, safety, and security manuals for properties. Mr. Mathai is experienced in crisis management, critical investigations, evidence gathering, interviewing, and information gathering. Some incidents include, but are not limited to, thefts, injuries, accidents, loss, property damage, deaths, weather-related matters, fraud, staff matters, etc. He has managed pool safety throughout his career with a stronger involvement since 1995. Mr. Mathai has experience overseeing the safe operation of two water parks and several pools. He ensured the daily inspection of pools, verifying chemical inspections, safety equipment, ADA chairlift accessibility, slide safety, pool safety, enforcing pool area rules, and monitoring alcohol consumption through effective communication with staff. Mr. Mathai has managed and investigated food safety matters to include food safety inspections, food handling, sanitation, receipt logs, temperature audits, etc. Mr. Mathai has overseen and investigated serving alcohol with care as it relates to bars and restaurants. Mr. Mathai is a certified Active Attack instructor. He has maintained a strong partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement entities and personnel. Mr. Mathai has been deposed several times and has represented his employers in cases related to criminal, civil, general liability, worker’s compensation, and premises liability matters.

James Smith has over 24 years of municipal government experience, primarily in business/economic development.  He assumed the role of Economic and Workforce Development Director for Pinal County in November 2021. In this role, he is leading the County’s efforts to attract significant capital investment and jobs to the region, while also seeking to help ensure the workforce is prepared for the jobs of the future. Prior to his position with Pinal County, he served as Economic Development Director for the Town of Fountain Hills, AZ. Experience with the City of Chandler included managing numerous business attraction projects for operations of major corporations, including Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Voya Financial and Republic Services.  In addition, he contributed to City efforts related to expansions by Northrop Grumman, NXP Semiconductor, and Rogers Corporation, which resulted in the relocation of their corporate headquarters to Chandler. Further experience was related to the redevelopment and reuse of commercial properties through the administration of the City’s Commercial Reinvestment Program/Infill Incentive Plan as well as leading efforts to implement an adaptive reuse program.    He holds Bachelor of Science (Economics) and Master of Public Administration degrees – both from San Jose State University. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, he is recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). In addition, he has achieved the Certified Public Manager (CPM) designation through Arizona State University.

Jeff Serdy was born in 1959 in Noble County, Ohio, a county that, at the time he left for Arizona, had only 10,000 residents. So becoming a Supervisor in Pinal County, which houses approximately 500,000 residents, is quite a leap! But never forgetting his roots in growing up in that rural lifestyle can only aid him in his role as Pinal County transitions from a traditionally agricultural environment to suburban and urban in several parts of the County. After graduating high school, Jeff went to work at a local natural gas company, which led to him being hired into the gas and oil production field. Along the way, he also had stints in wildlife management, which prompted his move to Apache Junction in 1985. Once in Arizona, he moved into the retail field and then the delivery and warehousing of Shamrock Dairy products. His big break came in 1999 when given the chance to start his own firearms business, which has grown into one of the highest-volume gun shops in the State. In 2005, a firearms disposition issue with the City of Apache Junction resulted in calls for Jeff to run for City Council. He ran and soon learned that he had a knack for recognizing items and situations that needed to be addressed. Remember that every job he'd ever had demanded production or the company would not thrive, so he developed a sense of urgency in every endeavor he took on. Lack of transparency in local government, the redundancy of having to pass "home rule" every four years, and not pursuing natural business growth like tourism and creative marketing of existing businesses led Jeff to challenge for Mayor, a capacity in which he served the City of Apache Junction for two terms. A firm believer in term limits, Jeff promised to only seek two terms in any office. When his second term as Mayor was expiring, he saw the opportunity to pull Northern Pinal County's District 5 and the whole Superstition region together in pursuit of the greatest lifestyle those residing there could imagine. Transportation, tourism, and controlling urban sprawl are Jeff's most pressing issues. Jeff lives in the foothills of the Superstitions with his wife Svitlana and almost ever-present Australian Cattle Dog, Mishka. He has three grown children and one high-school-age grandchild