GULF BREEZE, Fla., Feb. 26 –Innisfree Hotels, a hotel management, development and marketing company out of Gulf Breeze, has kicked off 2020 with a pair of leadership appointments in its development department. Rich Chism has been elevated to Vice President of Development and Asset Management, while Kevin Warwick has been promoted to Director of Construction.

Ted Ent, the CEO and president of Innisfree Hotels, announced the two promotions at a weekly corporate meeting in early February.

Ent credited Chism’s enduring loyalty to the Innisfree team and its mission. “Rich has worked at Innisfree for 12 years and has been instrumental in our growth and the execution of our strategic initiatives,” Ent said.

While continuing to oversee the activities of the development department, Chism adds a number of new duties to his Innisfree role. He will supervise the Director of Construction (the position being assumed by Warwick), assist with new development and acquisition activities, oversee various real estate matters, and act as president of HNL Construction LLC, Innisfree’s wholly owned construction company.

“In addition, Rich is assuming new responsibilities for Innisfree in the asset management of our hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and other real estate holdings,” Ent explained. “He will be developing short-, mid- and long-range plans for our assets, participate on our capital expenditures committee, oversee property management of our alternative assets, and collaborate with operations and other departments to maximize asset value. The addition of these responsibilities is integral to our long-term hold real estate strategy.

“Furthermore, Rich will continue his role on our TBL team,” Ent added. TBL symbolizes Innisfree’s status as a “triple bottom line” company, meaning the organization measures its success not only in profits but also through its impact on people and on the planet.

Ent also noted that Chism has helped lead the Dixon School of Arts & Sciences through several years of success, most recently as President of the Board of Directors. Dixon is a kindergarten through 8th grade school serving primarily underprivileged youth living in nearby Escambia County here on the Florida Panhandle.

In acknowledging Warwick’s ascension to Director of Construction, Chism emphasized how Warwick has flourished within the organization. “Kevin is a valued team player who has emerged as a true leader at Innisfree,” he said. “His ability to guide teams, understand construction issues and meet brand standards is unparalleled. Kevin and his team of project managers will be critical players in Innisfree’s pursuit of its long-term vision.”