Ashford Hospitality Trust Expands Distribution Team for Enhanced Growth Potential
- Ashford Securities hires Jonathan Dease and Melissa Birdsall to enhance distribution capabilities and drive growth.
- Dease focuses on national account strategies, leveraging industry relationships to expand Ashford Securities' market presence.
- Birdsall aims to boost sales in the Central Region by enhancing product education and fostering advisor relationships.
Ashford Securities Strengthens Distribution Team to Boost Growth Potential
Ashford Securities LLC, a subsidiary of Ashford Inc., makes a strategic move to enhance its distribution capabilities by hiring two seasoned professionals, Jonathan Dease and Melissa Birdsall. Dease steps in as Senior Vice President of National Accounts, bringing over 25 years of industry experience from his tenure at Preferred Capital Securities and Griffin Capital Securities. His primary focus will be on developing robust national account strategies and deepening partnerships with broker-dealers and registered investment advisors (RIAs). C. Jay Steigerwald III, CEO of Ashford Securities, expresses confidence in Dease's extensive industry relationships, which are anticipated to be instrumental in driving the company's expansion efforts.
Birdsall joins as the Regional Vice President of Sales for the Central Region, armed with 19 years of experience in capital raising and sales management from her previous roles at ExchangeRight and Ares Asset Management. Her responsibilities will include collaborating closely with financial advisors to enhance product education and market knowledge. Steigerwald emphasizes Birdsall's strategic mindset as a crucial asset for accelerating growth in the Central Region, where she is expected to implement effective sales strategies and foster relationships that can lead to increased market presence.
In a related restructuring, Todd Brewer will shift his focus from managing the Central Region to his role as National Sales Manager. With nearly two decades of experience in sales management and over four years at Ashford Securities, Brewer will now lead the overall sales team and marketing strategies across the United States. This realignment aims to leverage the strengths of both Dease and Birdsall while allowing Brewer to concentrate on broader sales initiatives that align with Ashford Securities' goals in the alternative investment space.
The recent additions to Ashford Securities' distribution team are seen as vital steps towards enhancing the company's offerings and expanding its footprint in the alternative investment sector. As the industry continues to evolve, the expertise brought by Dease and Birdsall is expected to position Ashford Securities for sustained growth and increased competitiveness in a challenging market.