Michael A. Miner’s professional journey is a compelling narrative of visionary leadership, operational mastery, and enduring impact across the hospitality industry. With over four decades of experience, Michael has earned a sterling reputation as a turnaround strategist and culture builder who champions financial performance, team cohesion, and guest excellence with equal vigor. His career has spanned iconic hotel brands, dynamic portfolios, and major metropolitan markets, positioning him as a trusted executive voice in hospitality leadership and organizational transformation.
From the outset, Michael demonstrated an intuitive grasp of operational mechanics and human capital development two pillars that would define his legacy. Beginning with property-level leadership roles, he quickly rose through the ranks, overseeing full-service hotels with complex demands and layered stakeholder expectations. At every turn, he brought calm resolve and analytical foresight to operational chaos, transforming underperforming assets into market leaders. His early tenures set the stage for the multifaceted leadership approach he would later replicate on national and regional scales.
As Regional Senior Vice President of Operations, Michael reached a defining chapter in his leadership journey. Overseeing a portfolio of seventeen hotels including Westin, Autograph, Sheraton, Kimpton, Marriott, and various independent properties, he consistently delivered operational excellence through performance turnarounds, major renovations, and seamless leadership transitions. From revitalizing the Marriott Westchester to guiding the Westin Annapolis through complex ownership changes, he brought clarity, stability, and financial discipline to each endeavor. His impact was clearly reflected in stronger gross operating profit margins, improved guest satisfaction scores, and outstanding associate engagement.
Michael rejoined HEI in 2018 after a short engagement with interstate Hotels. He temporarily assumed the role of Vice President of Operations – Transitions. He played a pivotal role in the successful opening of The Hotel at Avalon in Alpharetta, GA, and the seamless transition of the independent Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, GA, to an HEI property. He also supervised the conversion of the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead in Atlanta, GA, to The Whitley, a Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel. His strategic planning and organization led to a significant increase in profitability and guest satisfaction results. Michael was promoted back to a Senior Operations role by the end of 2018.
Michael joined Interstate Hotels and Resorts as Senior Vice President of Operations in 2017, managing seven hotels in Manhattan, Soho, and Newark, New Jersey, including iconic properties such as The Roosevelt Hotel, The London, and The Paramount Hotel. He focused on implementing cost-saving measures and revenue-generating strategies that resulted in improved performance, profitability, and guest satisfaction.
Michael joined HEI Hotels in January of 2007 as Senior Vice President of Operations and had oversight of twenty full-service hotels. The portfolio represented a highly diverse mix of assets, primarily comprised of Marriott, Starwood, and Hilton Hotels, and spanning major US markets. He was instrumental in forging HEI’s owner/operator platform, enabling strategic expansion into third-party management partnerships with entities such as RLJ, LaSalle, and Chesapeake Lodging Trust. Michael’s role extended far beyond administrative oversight; he embedded himself in the DNA of each property, guiding talent strategy, marketing initiatives, and capital planning efforts with hands-on leadership and a long-term view.
Michael’s work at Starwood Hotels and resorts remains a pivotal chapter in his career, most notably as Area Managing Director of the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, the Sheraton New Orleans, and the iconic Westin Bonaventure in LA Under his stewardship, the Sheraton New Orleans earned Starwood’s coveted “Hotel of the Year” award—a testament to his ability to elevate brand standards, employee morale, and guest satisfaction simultaneously. His strategies led to a marked increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR), gross operating profit, and staff retention—metrics that underscore his balanced focus on financial acumen and cultural integrity.
What distinguishes Michael Miner is his leadership presence during periods of change. In crisis moments such as mandatory evacuations for hurricanes or midstream property sales, Michael has been the constant that teams and owners rely on. His approach combines empathetic communication with decisive action, whether negotiating with unions, launching a revenue strategy shift, or mentoring a first-time GM to success. These intangible strengths have made him both a mentor to emerging leaders and a reliable partner to institutional stakeholders.
Beyond the numbers, Michael’s philosophy is rooted in relational equity and the belief that service culture begins with valuing people. He has consistently prioritized associate satisfaction, understanding that guest experience is a direct reflection of internal morale. His properties routinely report associate satisfaction scores above 90%, a clear indicator of the inclusive, empowering environments he fosters. These values have also driven his effectiveness in labor negotiations and his ability to retain top talent across competitive markets.
Michael’s industry recognition includes being named Illinois Hotelier of the Year and Chicago Downtown Hotelier of the Year, along with being recognized as Starwood hotel of the year out of around 450 hotels—honors that validate his impact at both local and national levels. While his accomplishments span major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, Michael remains deeply committed to cultivating individual success stories within his teams. Whether in a 1,450-room flagship property or a newly transitioned boutique hotel, his leadership adapts without compromising quality or accountability.
While Michael’s career has been anchored in the hospitality sector, his skills are eminently transferable. He brings deep experience in finance, capital strategy, union negotiations, operations, and boardroom-level decision-making—skills that extend naturally into advisory roles across labor, finance, and industry-agnostic sectors. Open to both domestic and international opportunities, he is eager to apply his insights in new contexts where strategic execution and team transformation are critical success factors.
A lifelong learner and a principled leader, Michael Miner continues to pursue opportunities where his expertise can create meaningful change. With an executive presence honed through decades of real-world challenges and achievements, he is uniquely positioned to add value as a board member, advisor, or executive consultant. His journey reflects not just a mastery of hospitality, but a commitment to elevating the industries and people he serves.
Character:
Michael brings unwavering integrity and accountability to every role he assumes. His reputation for fairness, transparency, and respect has earned him lasting loyalty from colleagues, clients, and stakeholders alike.
Knowledge:
With over 40 years of hands-on experience in managing complex hotel operations, Michael has cultivated deep expertise in financial strategy, labor relations, and organizational development. His insights are grounded in real-world application and continuous evolution.
Strategic:
Michael approaches every challenge with a long-term lens, aligning day-to-day operations with overarching goals. His strategic foresight has repeatedly driven value for ownership groups, brands, and teams across diverse portfolios.
Communication:
An empathetic and articulate communicator, Michael excels in translating high-level vision into clear, executable plans. His ability to listen deeply and engage meaningfully has been instrumental in both crisis management and everyday leadership.
