Management Team
Management Team
Capstar's management includes a group of hotel real estate professionals who have acquired, developed, financed and renovated more than $5 billion in hotel assets. The management team is lead by Paul Whetsell.
Paul W. Whetsell, President and CEO
Over the past two decades, Paul Whetsell has built some of the nation's largest hotel ownership and third-party management companies, overseeing the acquisition, development, financing, operations and disposition of more than 300 hotels valued at more than $5 billion. He founded and led the original CapStar Hotel Company in 1987 until its August 1998 merger with American General Hospitality Corporation, which resulted in the creation of MeriStar Hospitality, the nation's third largest real estate investment trust, and MeriStar Hotels & Resorts, the nation's largest independent management company. He oversaw the sale of MeriStar Hospitality (NYSE: MHX) to an affiliate of the Blackstone Group for $2.6 billion in 2006. Previously, he served in development and operating capacities for Lincoln Hotels in Dallas, Texas, and held various positions with Quality Inns (now Choice Hotels International), rising to vice president of franchise.
He served as the chairman of the board of Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: IHR) until March 2009, is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Industry Real Estate and Financing Advisory Council, and is a past member of NAREIT's board of governors. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute, the Travel Business Roundtable, and is on the governing council of the Washington, D.C. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Whetsell holds a BA degree in history from Davidson College.
Tim Hussion, VP – Asset Management
Tim Hussion has 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He is currently the Vice President of Asset Management for CapStar Hotel Company, LLC. Capstar was recently founded by Paul Whetsell, former Chairman and CEO of MeriStar Hospitality. The Company will focus on the development and acquisition of "Select Service" Hotels throughout the United States.
Prior to joining CapStar, Mr. Hussion served six years as Senior Vice President of Asset Management at MeriStar Hospitality Corporation - where he participated in the acquisition, positioning, capital planning, financial review and disposition of numerous hotel properties.
He originally joined the former CapStar in 1988 and served as a General Manager, Regional Operations Manager and Vice President of Operations until its 1998 merger with American General Hospitality Corporation, which resulted in the creation of MeriStar Hospitality and MeriStar Hotels & Resorts. He was Senior Vice President of Operations for MeriStar Hotels & Resorts until he joined MeriStar Hospitality Corporation in 2000.
Mr. Hussion is a graduate of West Virginia University. He is a member of Hotel Asset Managers Association (HAMA)
James F. Dannhauser, Managing Partner
Jim began his career as an attorney with a major New York City based law firm and then joined a private money management and investment banking firm. He became a director and then CFO of Premier Parks, a small private owner of regional theme and water parks, which through a series of acquisitions, including the acquisition of Six Flags from Time Warner and Boston Ventures in 1998, grew to become one of the largest regional theme park companies in the world. Jim served as CFO of Six Flags until March 2006. He also served on the Board of Directors of Meristar Hospitality Corp. and Interstate Hotels & Resorts.