OTO Development enjoyed accomplishments aplenty in 2022 — and yet, this year will be remembered as one of profound loss.
On Sunday, August 7, CEO Corry Oakes passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind his beloved wife, Amy; their three daughters Ashley, Elizabeth, and Lauren; and the company he led with enthusiastic vision for 18 years.
OTO is grieving. Our community and colleagues across the hospitality industry are grieving with us, but we are doing exactly what we know that our co-founder, our captain, our cheerleader Corry would want — we are back to work, getting better every day.
Our work in 2022 was outstanding. We closed advantageous deals and opened amazing hotels. Our properties and our people earned recognition from brand partners and industry organizations. We celebrated 214 promotions from within as high-executing employees built their own careers along with our company portfolio.
A few highlights from the last 12 months:
OTO made five acquisitions.
- Dunes Manor Hotel, Court & Suites in Ocean City, Maryland
- Hyatt House Nashville at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee
- Best Western Fort Walton Beach in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
- DoubleTree by Hilton Resort in North Redington Beach, Florida
- Hampton Inn Oakhurst-Yosemite in Oakhurst California
We opened two new hotels.
- Hyatt Place Panama City Beach in Panama City Beach, Florida
- AC Hotel Bethesda in Bethesda, Maryland
Three of our rebranded properties made their debut.
- Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach w/The Starlite Restaurant & Bar
- Homewood Suites Myrtle Beach w/Coconut Charlie’s Pool Bar & Grill
- Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort, w/Solstice Kitchen + Cocktails
We began extensive renovation projects at two repositioning properties.
- Dunes Manor Hotel, to reopen (summer 2023) as Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City
- Best Western Fort Walton Beach, to reopen (summer 2023) as Beal House, part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Construction got under way on two new developments.
- AC Hotel Naples in Naples, Florida (opening late 2023)
- AC Hotel Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Florida (opening late 2023)
We are focused on continued growth.
- Under contract on an acquisition in St. Petersburg, Florida (closing Q1 2023)
- Working on several more potential new projects
Our properties received a number of awards.
- Hyatt Place National Harbor, Hyatt’s Best New Property Award
- Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach, Hilton’s Conversion of the Year Award
- AC Hotel Scottsdale (managed property), Marriott’s Connect Award for Best Project
- Best Western Fort Walton Beach, AAA Best of Housekeeping Award
Our people earned recognition as well.
- Lauren Hartman (Fresno/Oakhurst area), Marriott’s 2022 MSB Award for SpringHill Suites Sales Leader of the Year
- Kimberly Brown (Hyatt Place National Harbor), Maryland Hotel Lodging Association’s 2022 Star of the Industry Award
- Jen Foti (Hampton Inn Times Square), City Guide NYC’s 2022 Behind the Scenes Ambassador
- Lorrie Miller (Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City), Hotel Management’s 2022 GMs to Watch
- Chris Raines (AC Hotel Bethesda), Hotel Management’s 2022 GMs to Watch
- Kelita Williams (Hilton Garden Inn Cocoa Beach / The Starlite), Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s 2022 ROSE Award