OVERVIEW
Typical assignments for this expert involve Financial
Feasibility, Economic Damages, Lost Profits, Management and Franchise
Agreements, Brand Affiliation Issues, Standards of Care, and Hotel
Operations. Kenneth Free is a highly credible resource who carries broad and
deep knowledge of the hotel business and associated enterprises. His
perspectives derive from authentic experiences, tempered by an appreciation
for the academic and legal concepts pertinent to expert witness assignments.
Prior to opening his own firm in 1992, Mr. Free worked in senior positions
with three major hotel companies in real estate development, finance, and
operations. His last corporate position was as Director of Real Estate
Administration for Hilton Worldwide, where he was responsible for review and
approval of all acquisition and development projects worldwide and for
negotiating certain transactions of key strategic importance to the
corporation.
DEGREES & LICENSES
- MBA - Finance, Bloch School of Business & Public Administration
University of Missouri in Kansas City
- BS - Hotel Administration, Harrah College of Hotel Administration
University of Nevada in Las Vegas
- Registered Resort Professional (RRP) - American Resort Development Association
- Master Hotel Supplier (MHS) - American Hotel & Lodging Association
- Real Estate Broker licensed by the California Department of Real Estate.
DETAIL
Mr. Free’s company, Straightline Advisors, provides Advisory and
Expert Services for Hotels, Resorts, Resorts, Casinos & Shared Ownership
(Timesharing, Fractionals, Condo-Hotels). These services may be in relation
to new properties going through the development or pre-development stages,
those that are open & in need of fundamental change, or in any situation
where disputes have arisen among the stakeholders.
KEY AREAS
Consulting & Expert Effectiveness
- Development Planning
- Financial Feasibility
- Project Financing
- Management & Operations
- Economic Damages, Lost Profits, & Business Interruption
- Strategic Planning, Market Repositioning, & Workouts for Distressed Properties
- Brand/System Affiliation or Conversion Issues; Management Contracts & Franchising
- Management or Marketing Company Dispute Resolution
- Analysis of Case Merits
- Standards of Care
- Director/Officer Conduct
Please visit the Hotel Expert Witnesses
web site for a complete Statement of Qualifications, including
Career History of the Principal, List of Engagements & List of
Clients