Experience
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Finance & Accounting
- Strategic Planning
- Franchise & Licensing
Industry Expertise
- Hospitality & Lodging
- Real Estate Development
- Restaurant & Food Service
- Gaming & Casinos
- Wine & Spirits
Education
- B.S., Boston College
- M.B.A., University of Connecticut
James M. Sullivan, Sr.
Co-Founder & Managing Director
James M. Sullivan, Sr. is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Clover Investment Group.
Prior to joining Clover, Mr. Sullivan was Executive Vice President of Global Lodging Development for Marriott International, Inc., and, from 1990 until his retirement in 2009, was responsible for Marriott's hotel development and mergers and acquisitions functions. In that capacity, he directed all world-wide activities related to the acquisition of hotel properties and companies for Marriott's hotel business, served as chairman of Marriott's Corporate Growth Committee, and supervised offices in London, Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt, Zurich, Dubai, Delhi, Tokyo, Beijing and Hong Kong (as well as the U.S. and Canada).
Previously, he served in multiple senior management positions at Marriott, including Senior Vice President of Finance & Lodging, Senior Vice President of Lodging Development, and Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions.
From 1983 to 1986, Mr. Sullivan was President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Tenly Enterprises, Inc., a privately held company operating 105 restaurants. Earlier in his career, he held senior management positions with Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.; Holiday Inns, Inc.; KFC Corporation; and Heublein, Inc. He began his career as a senior auditor with Arthur Andersen & Company.
Mr. Sullivan has been a Director of Integra LifeSciences Corporation since 1992, and serves as Chairman of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees. He also served as a Director of Classic Vacation Group, Inc. from 1998 until it was acquired by Expedia, Inc. in 2002.
Mr. Sullivan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, cum laude, Beta Gamma Sigma, from Boston College and an MBA from the University of Connecticut School of Business.
Significant Hotel Transactions
1987 to 2009
- Led the addition of approximately 2,500 hotels world-wide to the Marriott system
2006
- Negotiated the acquisition of 35 hotels from CTF Hotel Holdings, Inc. and its affiliate, Hotel Property Investments (B.V.I.) Ltd., for $1.6 billion
- Negotiated the acquisition of 51 hotels in the United Kingdom from Whitbread PLC for $2 billion
2004
- Negotiated the sale of Ramada International to Cendant Corporation
2001
- Negotiated the development of six Ritz-Carlton hotels in New York, Boston and Washington, DC in one transaction
1997
- Negotiated the acquisition of the Renaissance Hotel Group brand, business and hotels
1995
- Negotiated the acquisition of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC
1987
- Negotiated the acquisition of the Residence Inn Company brand, business and hotels
1978 – 1980
- Served as Project Manager for the construction of the Harrah's Marina Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City
- Negotiated the acquisition of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.'s casino business by Holiday Inns, Inc.
- Negotiated the acquisition of Riverboat Casino in Las Vegas
Restaurant and Other Transactions
1989
- Negotiated the sale of Marriott In-Flite Services, Inc. to The Carlyle Group for $500 million
1988
- Negotiated the acquisition of the Wags restaurant chain
- Negotiated the acquisition of the Hayes-Bickford restaurant chain
1986
- Negotiated the sale of the Rustler Steak House restaurant chain to Sizzler USA
1983
- Negotiated the private acquisition of the Rustler Steak House restaurant chain from Marriott
1970s
- Negotiated KFC Corporation's acquisition of approximately 30 restaurants from franchisees
- Negotiated various liquor co-marketing and license arrangements in the United States and South Africa