White Lodging, a privately owned urban and lifestyle hospitality development and management company, has revealed that Conner White will take on a new role as vice chair/chief investment officer. White is the eldest son of White Lodging Chair Beth White and the late White Lodging founder Bruce White.

Jean-Luc Barone will continue in his role as White Lodging’s CEO, partnering with Conner White, the White Family and the company’s board of directors on strategies and investments that help accelerate growth through acquisitions and new-build hotels, underpinned by the company’s management operations.

“Conner and Jean-Luc’s collaboration has been critical in navigating the various business challenges and opportunities of the last two years, including financing availability, increased costs and muted industry growth,” said Beth White. “With the support of the entire executive team, I’m confident in White Lodging’s future as a multi-generational family-owned organization firmly built on the values Bruce laid 40 years ago.”

Conner White was involved in the development, construction and opening of White Lodging’s two newest properties in San Antonio that opened last year: Kimpton Santo Hotel and Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection. In late 2024, he also played a role in securing the final details to ultimately break ground on the company’s 13th hotel in Austin. Additionally, he led the company’s growth efforts, which included securing the land and launching the development process for the company’s second hotel in Charlotte, NC.

“I am thrilled to lead the next generation of White Lodging family leadership in service of our guests, associates and owners,” he said. “Consistent with our history, we are not looking to be the biggest, just the very best at what we do. To that end we are well positioned to sustainably grow through new urban hotel developments, strategic acquisitions, and expansion of our third-party management portfolio—within our current and targeted new markets across the U.S.”

Barone added, “There’s no better fit for this important role as White Lodging celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. Conner has a vision and passion for the hospitality industry that mirrors his father’s, and I am thrilled to be alongside him as we push White Lodging to maintain our reputation as an industry leader.”

Conner White has worked for White Lodging for more than 15 years in a variety of leadership roles across operations, real estate and new property development. Outside of White Lodging, he built his career with roles supporting the expansion of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group in Chicago and Dunkin Donuts in China.

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