StepStone Hospitality appoints Blair Wills, President and CEO

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND (June 24, 2020) – StepStone Hospitality, a best-in-class  management company specializing in hotel, restaurant, and renovation management,  announced the promotion of Blair Wills to President and CEO.  In this expanded role, Wills is charged with leading the team in maximizing value in StepStone’s existing management properties as well as the growth of the StepStone portfolio.  Tom Russo will continue in his role as Founder and Chairman with a focus on strategic direction and development. 

“Over the past 10 years, Blair has been instrumental in guiding and implementing the growth of StepStone Hospitality, skillfully combining asset management and operational knowledge in fulfilling his previous role as President and COO,” said Thomas Russo, Founder and Chairman, StepStone Hospitality.   “Anyone who has ever met Blair instantly appreciates his understated, yet collaborative and steady leadership style, which has garnered confidence from a wide range of ownership clients as well as helped foster a cohesive leadership team.  With Blair in this new role, we look forward to continuing our growth trajectory and delivering superior results to our owners while maintaining our strong company culture.” 

Wills spent the previous ten years as StepStone’s President and COO.  Prior to joining StepStone, Wills spent eight years in multiple asset management roles with hotelAVE, first as an Analyst, working his way up to Vice President, responsible for the asset management of a portfolio including multiple branded and independent hotels.  Additional professional experience includes serving as an analyst at the Plasencia Group and as a member of the Leisure, Lodging and Gaming Equity Research team at Deutsche Banc Alex Brown. 

“I am honored to be part of the StepStone Hospitality family and humbled to take on this expanded role” said Blair Wills. “I look forward to continuing to work with our StepStone team members who show incredible resolve and focus day in and day out, and building on the strong foundation already in place.  We, as a team, remain focused on executing on our ownership’s goals and objectives and driving results.”

Wills earned a B.A. from Michigan State University School of Hospitality Business with an emphasis in Finance.  In 2015, the School of Hospitality Business bestowed the prestigious award of Alumnus Leader of the Year to Blair, a testament to his commitment to the industry and the people in it.

Link to high-resolution headshot of Blair Wills.

ABOUT STEPSTONE HOSPITALITY

Founded in 2009, Rhode Island-based StepStone Hospitality specializes in management for full-service and select-service hotel, restaurant operations and renovation oversight to deliver enhanced value to StepStone clients.  The company provides a unique combination of strong, hands-on operations, world-class strategic asset management, and food and beverage expertise, while maintaining a balanced focus between revenue enhancement, margin expansion and guest satisfaction.  StepStone Hospitality is an approved manager for all the major brand families and currently or has previously managed hotels under multiple brands including Hilton Hotels, DoubleTree, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn, Marriott, Sheraton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Wyndham as well as independent assets.  Learn more at www.stepstonehospitality.com.