Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> November 18, 2016
James F. Wirth has been Chairman of the board and Chief Executive Officer of InnSuites Hospitality Trust since January 30, 1998. He is the largest shareholder of the trust, and the manager and primary owner — together with his family — of Rare Earth Financial, LLC and affiliated entities, owners and operators of hotels, since 1980. Mr. Wirth has significant real estate and hotel industry experience since 1970 as Assistant to the President and Division President of Ramada Inn, Inc. He also has a significant investment in the company shares, which the company states is a strong incentive to advance shareholder interests. In addition, Mr. Wirth has served on the company’s board for over 15 years. Profile
Marc E. Berg has Executive Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of InnSuites Hospitality Trust since February 10, 1999. He was Vice President of Acquisitions and Dispositions of the trust from December 16, 1998, to February 10, 1999, as well as consultant to InnSuites Hotels since 1989. Prior to InnSuites, Mr. Berg was a wealth manager at Valley National Bank — now Chase — where his portfolio consisted of over half a billion dollars in equities, bonds and fixed income securities. Mr. Berg also worked at Young, Smith and Peacock, an investment banking firm in public finance. Mr. Berg has been qualified as a U.S. trustee in Chapter 11 cases, a registered investment adviser with the SEC and holds both an MBA in finance degree from the W.P. Carey Business School at Arizona State University as well as a master’s in international management from the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management. His undergraduate degree was a BSBA from American University in Washington, D.C. Mr. Berg has in-depth familiarity with the operations of the trust and extensive experience in property acquisitions. In addition, Mr. Berg has served on the board for over 17 years. Profile
TWST: Could you offer a brief overview of the company and also a little bit about its history?
Mr. Wirth: InnSuites Hospitality Trust — IHT — has been listed