Dani ElhachemIn his new role, Elhachem will oversee the company’s corporate operations functions relating to the portfolio’s performance and strategic management. In addition, Elhachem will preside over the company’s transitions, conversions and new builds as Denihan continues to acquire more assets and win new management contracts in key strategic markets across the country. Elhachem will also lead the operations team in fostering strong investor relationships with various ownership groups. He reports to Danette Opaczewski, executive vice president, operations. Elhachem is stepping into his new role at Denihan with 20 years of experience comprised of key positions, including general manager and other senior roles, throughout his career in hospitality. At Denihan, he most recently served as regional managing director, Southeast, where he was responsible for the oversight and performance of a number of hotels within the region. A seasoned hotelier, Elhachem spent the majority of his career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, at both the property and corporate level. At Starwood, he gained much of his experience in mastering the formula for hotel openings, repositioning and operational excellence. Elhachem accepted his first general manager assignment when he was in his mid-twenties at the Vancouver, British Columbia-based CHIP Hospitality/CHIP REIT, at its Marriott flagged property in downtown Vancouver. Immediately prior to joining Denihan, Elhachem served as director of resort operations at The Westin Resort and Spa in Whistler, twice-named the No. 1 ski resort hotel in North America by Condé Nast Traveler. Elhachem joined Denihan in 2007 as the opening general manager for the company’s first hotel in Washington, D.C. Elhachem led the development and the launch of The Liaison Capitol Hill, an Affinia Hotel, as a top boutique property in the D.C. market, where it quickly became one of the owner’s best performing assets. Additionally, Elhachem formed a chef-partnership with renowned Chef Art Smith to open Art and Soul, creating one of D.C.’s and the country’s most talked-about restaurants.