Rich Russo
Principal
Bio:
Rich is a Principal at Highgate, where he has been a key member of the leadership team since joining the firm in 2015. Rich leads all business development activities for the company and is also responsible for Highgate's mergers and acquisitions activities, leading complex transactions that expand Highgate’s portfolio and capabilities. Rich has played an instrumental role in several of the company’s most high-profile deals, including overseeing the acquisition of Viceroy Hotels & Resorts.
Rich brings over 25 years of experience in hospitality and real estate. Prior to Highgate, Rich served as Head of Development at Morgans Hotel Group and began his career at Ernst & Young in the Transaction Advisory Services group, focusing on real estate and hospitality.
Rich graduated with Honors from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and completed his MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. Rich also serves on the Advisory Board of the Center for Real Estate and Finance at Cornell’s Nolan School.