Bray Whaler announced key leadership appointments at the annual employee meeting in July, recognizing three officers, two principals and a controller in newly expanded roles.
Elisa Whaler, president and CEO explains, “We have been blessed with an exceptional couple of years and a robust portfolio for 2023 and 2024. We are recognizing the leaders that brought us to this level, and positioning ourselves for sustained strength and growth. I could not be prouder of this team and each of our employees.”
Jennifer Fisk becomes chief operating officer
Bray Whaler appointed long tenured principal, Jennifer Fisk as the firm’s chief operating officer. In this newly established role, Jennifer will continue the development of systems and processes designed to optimize efficiencies and further enhance client communication. Formerly principal and senior vice president of operations, Fisk has been with the company for fifteen years and has been in a leadership role as principal for the past twelve years directing the Dallas-based team and overseeing more than $250 million in annual procurement volume.
Nicole Oren promoted to chief revenue officer
Nicole Oren has been named chief revenue officer, entrusted with the firm’s ongoing growth and business development efforts. Nicole will continue to handle key client relationships and represent the company at industry events. She currently serves as vice president of ISHP – International Society of Hospitality Purchasers and is spearheading this year’s ISHP fundraising effort to benefit AHLA’s No Room for Trafficking campaign, an important initiative to combat human trafficking by raising awareness and resources for hotel employees who may be in a position to identify and report trafficking. Nicole has been with Bray Whaler for fifteen years, and led the Denver team as principal and senior vice president of operations with a focus on luxury and resort segments. She will continue to supervise both Denver-based and remote procurement teams as she leads the company’s continued growth across all product segments.
Maggie Halmo promoted to senior vice president
Maggie Halmo, principal and eleven-year company veteran, was promoted to senior vice president. Maggie oversees a 14-person Denver-based procurement team, which handles the portfolios of several institutional, luxury resort and urban full-service portfolios for some of the industry’s largest ownership groups.
April Geter named principal and executive director of projects
April Geter was made a company principal and will serve on the executive team. April has held leadership roles in hospitality procurement for fifteen years, eight of which with Bray Whaler. She directs the 16-person Dallas-based team and leads several large new construction projects as well as the 4,200-key renovation of the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
Jessica Bobb promoted to controller
Jessica Bobb has been with Bray Whaler for twenty years, the majority of which serving critical roles in project and corporate accounting. She assumes the role of controller and will oversee both the corporate and project accounting teams under the direction of Rex Briant, CFO.
Rex Briant named chief financial officer
Rex Briant joins Bray Whaler with 37 years of expertise in finance and accounting bringing a wealth of experience in the professional services industry that will leverage Bray Whaler’s corporate and project accounting practices toward even greater efficiency and security.
Kimberly Raeder takes equity stake in the firm
Kim Raeder, a family member of Elisa Whaler’s, has taken an equity position in the firm and will work alongside Elisa Whaler in a project support role.
Team Gathers in Denver to Celebrate
The entire 60-person firm gathered in Denver in July to celebrate successes, including Elisa Whaler and Ronnie Bray’s upcoming induction into Hospitality Design’s 33rd Annual Platinum Circle, which recognizes interior designers, architects, hoteliers, and restauranteurs for lifetime achievement and contribution in the hospitality industry. The 33rd annual Platinum Circle Awards gala will take place on Friday, November 11, 2022, at the Gotham Hall in New York.
