Russ Valentine joined the Plasencia Group in 2006 as Senior Vice President of the firm's Mid-Atlantic Region bringing more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Most recently Mr. Valentine was Senior Vice President of Boykin Lodging, a publicly-traded Real Estate Investment Trust based in Cleveland where he oversaw real estate acquisition and disposition activities.

Prior to joining Boykin Lodging, Mr. Valentine held a similar position with American General Hospitality, Inc. Prior to American General's merger with CapStar Hotels to become MeriStar Hospitality, Mr. Valentine was instrumental in acquiring over $1 billion of assets as a part of the company's hotel acquisition activities.

Mr. Valentine has also been a Principal in Laventhol & Horwath's real estate and hospitality industry management consulting practice and also has extensive hotel operational experience having held numerous management positions while working with DoubleTree Hotels. In 1983, he formed an independent management company which managed hotels in the Southwest for distressed lenders.

Russ Valentine received his Master in Business Administration Degree from Michigan State University with a major in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Louisiana State University.