Elson Strahan, who served as president and CEO of the Fort Vancouver National Trust for the past 12 years, has joined Vesta Hospitality as the company’s vice president of investor relations.
In his new role, Strahan will focus on identifying new sources of capital and working with the Vesta executive team to raise investment funds for future strategic acquisitions and additions to the Vancouver-based company’s portfolio of owned and managed hotel properties.
“We are excited to add Elson to our executive team,” said Rick Takach, Vesta Hospitality president and CEO. “He brings additional expertise and has the integrity and commitment to excellence that is essential for us as we continue to build relationships with current and prospective individual investors.”
The decision to join Vesta Hospitality comes 10 months after Strahan first announced that he was leaving the Trust to pursue new opportunities.
“I have known and highly respected Rick (Takach) for many years,” said Strahan. “He is an extraordinary business leader and I could not be more pleased than to have the opportunity to join him and his team. Vesta is an exceptional company with nearly two decades of demonstrated success that has laid the foundation for an outstanding future, one that I look forward to being a part of.”
During his tenure at the Trust, the organization executed a master lease with the city of Vancouver to manage and renovate approximately 40 former U.S. Army officer homes and barracks buildings. Strahan also helped complete a successful multi-million dollar campaign which allowed the Trust to acquire the Academy property in downtown Vancouver.
Prior to serving at the Trust, Strahan spent 19 years as president of the Clark College Foundation. Under his leadership, assets at the Foundation increased from approximately $1 million to $63 million.
