Team Type: Hotel

Nate Ries

  • Nate Ries is a Senior Vice President in the Hospitality Investment Advisory practice at Hodges Ward Elliott. He specializes in hotel and resort transactions throughout North America, including investment advisory and equity placements. Nate is responsible for all aspects of deal execution, marketing strategy, and financial underwriting.

  • Since joining the firm in 2012, Nate has been directly involved in the sale or financing of approximately 100 hotels and resorts, totaling $3 billion in transaction value. Prior to HWE, Nate worked as an analyst for Revenue Analytics, a consulting firm specializing in price optimization and revenue management for Fortune 500 companies.
  • Nate graduated with a BS in Economics from Duke University and received an MBA with a concentration in real estate and finance from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

Michael Tormey

  • Michael Tormey is a Senior Vice President in the Hospitality Investment Advisory practice at Hodges Ward Elliott. He specializes in institutional-grade full-service and select-service hotel and resort property transactions, and his primary responsibilities include financial analysis and underwriting, transaction management, and the preparation of offering memoranda and pitch materials.

  • Michael joined the firm in July 2013. Prior to HWE, he served as an acquisitions intern for Dolce Hotels and Resorts, where he was responsible for market research and feasibility analysis.

  • He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration, as well as a Minor in Real Estate, from Cornell University. Michael remains closely connected to the school as a co-leader of HWE’s analyst and internship program.

Zak Brodstein

  • Zak Brodstein is a Vice President in the Hospitality Investment Advisory practice at Hodges Ward Elliott. He specializes in institutional-grade hotel and resort property transactions throughout North America, including advisory and equity placements.
  • Mr. Brodstein joined the firm in January of 2020. Prior to HWE, he spent nearly five years as both a Guest Service and Housekeeping manager at Kimpton EPIC Hotel in downtown Miami. During his time at EPIC, Mr. Brodstein oversaw the branding transition to IHG, a full rooms renovation, and was awarded #1 hotel in Miami by “Conde Nast” during his tenure.
  • Mr. Brodstein is an alumnus of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. Zak remains closely connected to the school as a co-leader of HWE’s analyst and internship program.

 

 

Michael Brandes

  • Michael Brandes is a Vice President in the Hospitality Investment Advisory practice at Hodges Ward Elliott. He specializes in select-service hotel and portfolio transactions throughout North America, including investment sales and equity placements.
  • Mr. Brandes joined the firm in August 2021. Prior to HWE, he spent over two years at Preferred Apartment Communities, a public, multifamily REIT in Atlanta, where he was directly involved in Class A property acquisitions and loan investments totaling over $200 million. Prior thereto, he worked as an Associate at Haddow & Company, a commercial real estate consulting firm in Midtown Atlanta. Mr. Brandes was also a prior intern at HWE.
  • Mr. Brandes graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA in Real Estate.

Coby Campbell

  • Coby Campbell is a Vice President in Hodges Ward Elliott’s Hotel Investment Advisory Group.  He is a licensed real estate salesperson, overseeing asset underwriting and marketing and transaction management.

  • Since joining the firm in 2014, as part of the Investment Sales team, Coby has underwritten, marketed, and closed over $2.5 billion of hotel transactions.   

  • Prior to HWE, Coby graduated with High Honors from Georgia Tech with a B.S. in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance, and a Certificate in International Management.

Rebecca Wynn

  • Rebecca Wynn is the Director of Financial Analysis within the Hospitality Investment Advisory practice at Hodges Ward Elliott. She specializes in underwriting institutional-grade hotel and resort property transactions throughout North America and the Caribbean, including investment advisory, debt, and equity placements. She also works with the junior associates in honing their underwriting skills in this ever-changing environment.
  • Ms. Wynn joined the firm in May 2000. Prior to HWE, she was also an associate at Conseco Finance Service Corp. underwriting manufactured home communities in the western United States. Immediately after undergrad she spent 2 years at Comerica Bank in Detroit MI developing commercial underwriting skills in their credit analyst program before relocating to Atlanta.
  • She earned a B.A. in Finance from Michigan State University. She recently completed a Masters of Commercial Real Estate from Georgia State University in 2019.

Mackenzie Melikian

  • Mackenzie Melikian is an Associate in Hodges Ward Elliott’s Hotel Investment Advisory Group. She is primarily responsible for financial analysis and underwriting, transaction management, and the preparation of offering memoranda and pitch materials.
  • Mackenzie joined the firm in 2022, following her internship with the company. Prior to HWE, Mackenzie interned for Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in corporate finance and operations level positions, assisting in the management of the Four Seasons Orlando.
  • Mackenzie graduated from Cornell University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration, with a concentration in Development and Minors in Real Estate and Design and Environmental Analysis. At Cornell, she was a four-year member of the Cornell Traditions Fellowship.

Lauren Habig

Lauren Habig, located in Miami, is an Analyst in Hodges Ward Elliott’s Hotel Investment Advisory Group. Lauren is primarily responsible for the financial analysis and underwriting, transaction management, and the preparation of offering memoranda and pitch materials.

 

Lauren joined the firm in January of 2023. Prior to HWE, she interned for LionGrove LLC, where she focused on proforma management of their current assets across Puerto Rico and underwriting potential acquisitions for the firm.

 

Lauren graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, with minors in International Business and Psychology. At Miami, she was a four-year member of Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honors Society and an active leader of the Women in Business association.

Tate Keir

  • Tate Keir, located in Los Angeles, is an Analyst in the Hospitality Investment Advisory practice at Hodges Ward Elliott. Joining the firm in 2022, Tate is primarily responsible for financial analysis and underwriting, transaction management, and the preparation of offering memoranda and pitch materials.
  • Tate graduated from Cornell University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration and a Minor in Real Estate. At Cornell, he was a four-year member of the Men’s Soccer Team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne Kong

Anne Kong, located in New York City, is an Analyst in Hodges Ward Elliott’s Hotel Investment Advisory Group. She is primarily responsible for financial analysis and underwriting, transaction management, and the preparation of offering memoranda and pitch materials.

 

Anne joined the firm in 2023, following her internship with the company. Prior to HWE, Anne interned for Lotte Hotel & Resorts, in concierge and front-desk rotational positions, assisting in the management of Signiel Seoul.

 

Anne graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration with a minor in Real Estate. At Cornell, she was a member of Cornell International Business Consulting (IBC).