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WexTrust Capital Forms Axela Hospitality
Expands Global Presence With Portfolio of Upscale Hotels and Resorts; Names Elmer Coppoolse CEO
| Source: WexTrust Capital, LLC
CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - November 15, 2007) - WexTrust Capital, LLC, a globally diversified
private equity and specialty finance company, announced today its expansion
into hotels and resorts with the formation of a new subsidiary called Axela
Hospitality, LLC. WexTrust Capital also announced that it has appointed
thirty-year hotel veteran Elmer Coppoolse as CEO of Axela.
WexTrust Capital has a strong history of delivering superior returns to
investors through its diverse portfolio of real estate assets. Since 2003,
the company has acquired dozens of properties ranging from office parks and
warehouse distribution centers to retail malls and hotels. WexTrust
Capital subsidiary, Wexford Development, is also actively involved in
numerous commercial and residential development projects.
"Hotels and resorts are a logical extension to our diverse portfolio of
commercial and residential real estate assets," said Steve Byers, CEO of
WexTrust Capital. "Our strong expertise in capital and asset management,
coupled with Elmer Coppoolse's international hotelier and hotel operations
experience will make Axela a strong force in the hospitality industry."
With Mr. Coppoolse serving as CEO, Axela Hospitality will also assume
management responsibilities for EMCO Hospitality, Inc., which currently
manages The Resort at Glade Springs, a 210-room, 4,000-acre resort complex
in West Virginia, and the Netherlands Inn and Spa, a 100-room boutique
hotel in Lancaster, Pa. Axela also manages The Park View, a 200-room
boutique hotel in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood and the Crowne Plaza
Hotel in Phoenix, and is under contract to acquire the Wyndham Drake in Oak
Brook, Ill.
Prior to joining Axela Hospitality, Elmer Coppoolse founded and served as
CEO of EMCO Hospitality, Inc., a Bethesda, Maryland-based hospitality
company known for its ownership stake and management of The Resort at Glade
Springs in Daniels, W.Va. and The Netherlands Inn & Spa in Lancaster, Pa.,
among others.
"Superior management and first class guest services will be hallmarks of
Axela hotels and resorts," said Elmer Coppoolse, CEO of Axela Hospitality.
"We are extremely pleased to have Steve Byers and WexTrust Capital as our
strategic partner and parent company in this exciting venture."
Prior to founding EMCO Hospitality, Mr. Coppoolse was a development partner
and Executive Vice President and COO at SynXis Corporation. SynXis created
internet based software allowing hotels to simultaneously manage their
reservation channels in one single dashboard. Currently more than 10,000
hotels use SynXis' application.
Prior to SynXis, Mr. Coppoolse was President of Lancaster Hotels and
Resorts, an international company with a portfolio of seven properties
including: The Jefferson Hotel in Washington, D.C.; The Lancaster in
Houston; The Argyle in Los Angeles; The Tremont in Chicago; The Lodge and
Spa at Breckenridge; The Cotton House on the island of Mustique in the
Carribbean; and The Inn at Great Neck in Great Neck, N.Y. While at
Lancaster, Mr. Coppoolse helped form the Small Luxury Hotels of the World,
which has grown into a consortium of over 400 hotels to date.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Coppoolse also held senior management positions
with Sheraton Corporation, where he was part of the creation of its luxury
hotel division, currently known as St. Regis. Previously, he also worked
for Sonesta Hotels & Resorts where he was responsible for the initial
development of the Sanibel Harbor Resort, as well as Sonesta's foray into
Egypt and Israel.
About WexTrust Capital
WexTrust Capital is a globally diversified private equity and specialty
finance company with a proven track record for protecting its clients'
assets and delivering a superior return-on-investment through its diverse
portfolio of principal investments. WexTrust Capital specializes in unique
investment opportunities ranging from real estate to specialty finance and
investment banking. Headquartered in Chicago, the company also maintains
offices in New York, Norfolk, Va., Atlanta, Boca Raton, Fla., Nashville,
Tenn., Tel Aviv, Israel, and Johannesburg, South Africa. More information
can be found at www.wextrust.com.