URBANA HOLDINGS
Urbana and its equity partners constantly monitor the pulse of both the real estate and capital markets standing ready to act when suitable opportunities arise.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Allan Gutierrez
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Urbana group of companies, Mr. Gutierrez assumes responsibility for the strategic management of all activities within the group. His focus lies particularly on identifying and evaluating new investment opportunities, managing existing investments, and nurturing vital capital and business relationships. Additionally, Mr. Gutierrez holds the position of CEO at Urbana Varro Opportunity Fund, I, II, and II.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
With over 40 years of experience in commercial real estate, Mr. Gutierrez brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Prior to joining Urbana, he served as Principal and Chief Investment Officer at Songy Partners, Founder and CEO of Alliance Partners, Inc., and Vice President at Sonnenblick Goldman. Moreover, Mr. Gutierrez has acted as an independent advisor on more than 100 occasions, providing professional guidance on commercial real estate assets across 48 states. His areas of specialization encompass strategic management, investment feasibility assessment, sourcing investment capital, acquiring and revitalizing underperforming real estate assets, debt restructuring, non-performing loan sales, and mergers and acquisitions involving public and private real estate companies.
EDUCATION AND MEMBERSHIPS:
Originally from Detroit, Mr. Gutierrez holds an MBA from Michigan State University (Broad), a BS from Wayne State University, and has pursued postgraduate studies in real estate at the University of Houston. He is an active member of the Atlanta Chapter of TIGER 21.
PRINCIPAL
ed
nolan
Mr. Nolan serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Urbana Varro Companies, collaborating closely with Mr. Gutierrez.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
With over 40 years of experience in the commercial and residential real estate industries, Mr. Nolan brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Prior to joining Urbana, he held the position of Chief Financial Officer at SunCal Companies, a developer of master-planned communities based in Irvine, California. At SunCal, Mr. Nolan directly oversaw accounting, tax and financial reporting, information systems, asset management, and risk management functions. He also played a key role in the company's capital-raising efforts, collaborating with notable financial partners such as DE Shaw, Lehman Brothers Real Estate Partners, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., Cerberus Real Estate, Bank Midwest, Credit Suisse, and California Bank & Trust. During his tenure, the company's asset base grew from approximately $250 million to over $4.1 billion.
Before joining SunCal, Mr. Nolan served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Hudson Advisors in Singapore. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing asset management, tax structuring, foreign currency management, and financial reporting for investments made in the Asia Pacific region by Lone Star Opportunity Funds III and IV. His primary focus was on developing platforms to support non-performing loan acquisition, underwriting, and management in Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan. This effort involved managing a team of over 225 individuals and overseeing more than 100,000 assets worth more than $2.1 billion. Mr. Nolam's previous experience also includes serving as Vice President for The Hampstead Group, LLC, a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, and as Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Director of Investor Relations for Bristol Hotels and Resorts.
EDUCATION:
Mr. Nolan is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
VICE PRESIDENT / OPERATIONS
Marshall S. Tullos Sr., CHA
As the Vice President of Operations, Mr. Tullos assumes responsibility for overseeing the overall performance of Urbana's owned/managed hotels and spearheads the development and growth strategies for the organization.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
With over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Tullos proudly carries on the tradition as a fifth-generation professional in the field. Before joining Urbana, he served as the Regional Director of Operations for Peachtree Hotel Group for eight years. In this role, he provided expert oversight and management for a portfolio of hotels affiliated with renowned brands such as Hilton, Marriott, IHG, and Choice. Overseeing a diverse range of full-service, select-service, and limited-service hotels, Mr. Tullos collaborated closely with General Managers to enhance revenue generation, service quality, and financial controls. Prior to this, he held positions as the Regional Director of Operations for Hospitality Management Corporation, a hotel management company based in Dallas, Texas; Resort General Manager for American Liberty Hospitality at a state-of-the-art conference facility featuring a championship golf course and spa in Northwest Louisiana; and Regional Vice President of Operations for
Highgate Hotels, a Texas-based hospitality company.
EDUCATION:
Mr. Tullos earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Cornell University. Additionally, he holds a Hotel Administrator certification from the Hotel and Lodging Association.
CONTROLLER / CFO
Steve
Thurston
As the Controller / CFO of Urbana Holdings, Mr. Thurston assumes responsibility for overseeing all accounting and finance activities within the organization.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
With over 40 years of experience in the accounting and real estate industries, Mr. Thurston is a Certified Public Accountant specializing in various accounting areas. His expertise includes real estate investment and development, estate tax planning, income tax planning, financial planning, tax audit representation, and tax compliance. He has extensive experience providing critical tax planning and consulting services to closely held businesses, owners, and high-net-worth individuals. Mr. Thurston has served as the Controller for Urbana and its affiliated companies for over ten years. Prior to joining the Urbana organization, he was a member of Pannell Kerr Forster Worldwide.
EDUCATION:
Mr. Thurston holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University, with concentrations in Accounting and Computer Information Systems. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Colorado.
DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITIONS
Maximillian Gutierrez
Mr. Maximillian Gutierrez, our Vice President, plays a crucial role in networking and investor relations within defined market segments. He provides valuable support to our senior management team by offering financial analysis, research, underwriting, and due diligence assistance.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
With over 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, Mr. Gutierrez brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Prior to his current position in Development and Acquisitions, he served as an Urbana leasing agent and property manager. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive experience in acquisitions, leasing, asset management, and construction management, spanning various office, retail, and hotel
investments. Before joining Urbana, he worked with international private equity real estate firms and national loan servicers, where he specialized in underwriting.
EDUCATION:
Originally from Atlanta, Mr. Gutierrez holds an MBA from Emory University (Goizueta) and dual BBAs in Real Estate and Finance from the University of Georgia. He is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Georgia and Florida. His professional memberships include the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the National Association of Office Parks (NAIOP).
CORPORATE DIRECTOR / REVENUE MANAGEMENT
Marcos
Vidal
Marcos Vidal, originally from Arlington, TX, serves as the Corporate Director of Revenue Management for Urbana Holdings. In his role, he is accountable for revenue forecasting, profit opportunity analysis, and business evaluation across all market segments. Marcos is dedicated to maximizing the long-term value of Urbana's investments. He believes in delivering quality products and services at competitive prices while prioritizing excellent customer service. Marcos is committed to fostering a safe work environment that embraces diversity, and promotes open communication, trust, and fair treatment. He upholds high ethical standards, adheres to applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and shows respect for local and national cultures.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
With 25 years of experience in revenue management, Mr. Vidal has successfully handled numerous assignments in the hotel industry.
EDUCATION:
Marcos holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administration from Dallas County Community College District (CCCD).
ADVISOR – DEVELOPMENT & ACQUISITIONS
DEXTER
TOM
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
With over 35 years of experience in the hospitality real estate sector, Mr. Tom offers a unique global perspective in developing and implementing strategic business plans to maximize market opportunity, synergy, long term business growth and compelling financial performance through win-win partnerships. Prior to joining Urbana, Mr. Tom spent over two decades with Marriott’s hotel and timeshare feasibility and development teams. In the most recent 12 years, Mr. Tom worked with Marriott Vacations Worldwide (MVW) based in Singapore where he was responsible for identifying and pursuing single and mixed-use real estate development, acquisition and disposition transactions and partnerships. As Vice President, Mr. Tom led feasibility, business planning, deal structuring and corporate investment approval efforts for new resort and urban projects operating under the Marriott Vacation Club timeshare brand in key target markets throughout the Asia Pacific region, including Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, China and Macau.
Prior to joining MVW, Mr. Tom spent over ten years in several positions of increasing responsibility at Marriott International, Inc., most recently in Newport Beach, California, as Vice President, Hotel Development for full-service legacy brands, including Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, The Ritz-Carlton and Bulgari.
Prior to this position, Mr. Tom was a hospitality industry consultant with Ernst & Young’s Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group in Miami, during which he provided management advisory, feasibility, and real estate valuation services for real estate owners, developers and investors in connection with urban hotel and resort projects located throughout the Southeastern USA, the Caribbean and Latin America.
EDUCATION:
Mr. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Florida, and a Master of Science degree in Hospitality Management from Florida International University. He is a licensed California Real Estate Salesperson and an active member of the American Resort Development Association
(ARDA).
CORPORATE DIRECTOR / HUMAN RESOURCES
Emmy Schmid, SHRM-SCP
Emmy Schmid holds the position of Corporate Director of Human Resources at Urbana. In this role, she provides comprehensive human resources support and solutions to owners and operators of nationally recognized hotel franchises and independent properties across the United States. With over 17 years of experience, Schmid has established herself as a leader in overseeing various aspects of human resources, including company culture, employee relations, training, workers' compensation, payroll/compensation, safety, legal compliance, and health/welfare benefits.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Before joining Urbana, Schmid held the position of Corporate Human Resources Director at companies such as Hotel Equities in Atlanta, Tecton/Desires Hospitality in Miami, and Doramar Hotels, which owned and operated hotels in metro-Denver and Vail Valley. She also gained valuable experience as a property Human Resources Director at the Bahia Mar Resort and Yachting Center, part of the Boca Resorts collection. Her hospitality human resources career began at Quorum Hotels, where she worked at the Brown Palace Hotel, a luxury property located in downtown Denver.
EDUCATION:
Ms. Schmid earned her bachelor's degree in English from Carroll College.
CORPORATE CONTROLLER
Linda Westmoreland
Ms. Westmoreland embarked on her 40-year accounting career as a Budget Analyst at the Georgia Institute of Technology. With over 30 years of experience, she has served as a Controller for various corporations based in Atlanta, specializing in financial statement preparation. Her introduction to the hospitality industry began at 20First Hospitality, where she held the role of Controller. During her seven- year tenure, she oversaw financial operations at the renowned Villa Christina and Retreat-Perimeter Center. She later took on the position of staff accountant, managing accounting responsibilities for both the Hyatt Regency and Villa Christina entities. Ms. Westmoreland takes pride in her time at 20First, where she successfully consolidated food and beverage financials with hotel financials by efficiently overseeing diverse property management systems (PMS), F&B, and accounting software programs.
EDUCATION:
Ms. Westmoreland holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Georgia Southwestern College. She also pursued studies in Managerial Accounting and Organizational Behavior and Administration at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF SALES
TAMMY
GILLESPIE
Tammy Gillespie, originally from Dallas, TX, holds the position of Regional Director of Sales at Urbana Holdings. In her role, she is responsible for driving revenue generation and ensuring long-term growth across all properties and segments of Urbana. Tammy strongly believes in a customer-focused approach, prioritizing the satisfaction of each client who chooses Urbana properties for their destination or event. She understands the importance of teamwork and fosters an environment that empowers everyone around her to excel and succeed. Tammy takes pleasure in bringing smiles to the faces of both associates and clients through her open, trustworthy, and friendly demeanor. She is dedicated to delivering the best possible programs for clients and associates alike.
EDUCATION:
Tammy holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Marketing from Tarrant County Community College District (CCD).