Rob Smith
Divisional President, Aimbridge Full Service

Rob Smith, Divisional President of Operations, Full Service and Resorts, is responsible for managing all facets of full-service branded and independent hotels and resorts in the Americas and the Caribbean, as Aimbridge Hospitality continues to grow its international luxury resort portfolio.

Smith has been with Aimbridge Hospitality for ten years previously serving as Vice President of Operations and Senior Vice President of Operations, and Executive Vice President of Operations respectively.

Prior to joining Aimbridge Hospitality, Smith spent 17 years in the Caribbean managing large scale resorts and casinos, as well as serving the island of Aruba in a public/private sector tourism role as the President and CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and the Aruba Convention Bureau. Prior to his time offshore he held several General Manager positions in the United States under most major flags.

Smith serves on the Board of AHLA and the Westin Advisory Board for Marriott as well as the Stay Safe Advisory Board for AHLA. He is an alumnus of University of South Florida and resides in Plano Texas with his wife and four kids.

William Loughran
Divisional President, Evolution Lifestyle

A Colorado native, Will is from a dedicated family who believes in hard work, leadership and civic involvement. The oldest of three siblings, Will has been honing his leadership skills from a young age. His early experience at Culver Military Academy paved the way for his leadership style and disciplined dedication to his pursuits.

Will selected Evolution Lifestyle because he believes companies with a strong, active culture are the most successful. One of his favorite examples is New Belgium Brewing Company because they have demonstrated successful growth with thoughtful stewardship of associates, the brand and a laser focus on sustainability. Will also thinks New Belgium produces some of the most creative marketing today – as well as a great product.

Will and his wife Sarah are dedicated adventurers, whether it’s biking, hiking or traveling. Like most new transplants they are inspired by the abundance of lemon, avocado and orange trees that seem to be everywhere in Southern California. They are excited to be able to enjoy year-round, fresh farm-to-table fruit and vegetables, as well as growing their own. Will is a proud dad to three terrific daughters who challenge and inspire him to make the world a better place.

EXPERIENCE
• Evolution Lifestyle
President, 2022-
Chief Operating Officer, 2017-2021
SVP, Operations, 2015-2017
• Richfield Hospitality, 2014-2015-President
• Sceptre Hospitality Resources and Richfield Hospitality, 2012-2013-SVP Sales & Revenue Strategy
• Sceptre Hospitality Resources, 2011 - 2012- VP Revenue Management & eCommerce Solutions
• Sage Hospitality, 2005 - 2011- VP Revenue
• Marriott International, 1988 - 2005
- Area Director of Sales & Marketing & Hotel GM, Denver Southeast Market, 2001-2005
- Market Director of Field Sales, 2000-2001
- Area Director of Sales & Marketing, 1999-2000
- Various Sales, Marketing & Revenue Management Positions, 1988-1999

Aly El-Bassuni
Divisional President, Aimbridge Enhanced Select Service

Aly El-Bassuni is Divisional President, Enhanced Select Service at Aimbridge Hospitality. As an experienced executive leader, he brings a unique perspective of operator and franchisor - operating both hotels and student housing facilities, while having spent a significant portion of his career in the brand and franchising space leading well-known hospitality hotel brands.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, El-Bassuni led an experiential and digital transformation within the student housing space, successfully launching and scaling a new, high-growth student housing brand and operator as its Global Chief Executive Officer. As Chief Operating Officer-Americas for Radisson Hotel Group, El-Bassuni was responsible for more than 600 franchised and managed hotel operations for Radisson's seven brands with direct management of brand leadership, owner relations, and guest experience. In addition to his time at Radisson, El-Bassuni previously served as Vice President of Brand Operations at Wyndham Worldwide, leading the strategic direction, net unit and room growth, financial and operations management, and brand positioning for several brands during his tenure.

Aly holds a bachelor’s degree in business from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and earned his MBA from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania’s John L. Grove College of Business.

Simon Mendy
Divisional President, Aimbridge Select Service

Simon Mendy, Divisional President of Aimbridge Select Service, is responsible for leading select service, economy and extended stay verticals of Aimbridge Hospitality.

Mendy joined Aimbridge Hospitality in 2018 with 20 years of hospitality management experience. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President of Operations for Extended Stay America, where he oversaw operations of 625 hotels across 45 states and over 7,500 associates. He also served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Training, Standards and Guest Relations, Regional Director of Operations and Director of Revenue Management during his time with Extended Stay America. Additionally, Mendy was an Adjunct Professor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Mendy is a graduate of the University of Colorado Denver, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Economics and Marketing, and a Master of Science in Finance. He is currently serving on the Extended Stay Lodging Association Board of Directors.

David Anderson
Divisional President, Aimbridge EMEA

David Anderson is Divisional President of Aimbridge EMEA, he is responsible for over 120 hotels in the UK, Ireland, Continental Europe, and CIS.

David has more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry across Europe and the Indian Ocean, spanning both luxury resorts and midscale hotel portfolios. He leads the senior management and support teams to provide superior returns for hotel owners and plays a pivotal role in the company’s growth.

Prior to joining Aimbridge Interstate, David spent 3 years as Chief Executive Officer of SUN Ltd (Hotels & Resorts) in Mauritius. He also held the position of Regional Vice President of the Wyndham Hotel Group, directly managing a European portfolio of 182 hotels across 5 brands. During his tenure as Managing Director of Dolce Hotels and Resorts, David had responsibility for a portfolio of leading MICE hotels across major European cities. David also held the position of Regional Vice President for Northern Europe for the Louvre Hotels Group.

Leandro Castillo
Divisional President, Aimbridge LatAm

Leandro Castillo is Divisional President of Aimbridge LatAm, the leading operating hotel company of international hotel brands in Latin America.

Previously, Leandro was Managing Partner for KPMG, where he was responsible for human resources, administration, operations, business development, risk management and innovation. He was also the Global Lead Partner of various public multinational companies where he was responsible for the coordination and execution of due diligence of several acquisitions in more than 35 countries, including tax and legal coordination.

Leandro is a Certified Public Accountant graduate of Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Occidente. He also has extensive executive education and certifications from Cornell, IPADE, University of Navarra Spain and Harvard Business School.