Michael A. Johnston

DIT is a unique hybrid concept that combines collaborative workspace and event space aimed at building a destination hub for creative industries and forward thinking companies and professionals.

• Led the conceptual development of the brand and oversaw the renovation of its flagship location (€450k investment).
  
• Overhauled the team and implemented KPI management along with incentive based remuneration.
  
• Introduced industry relevant technology including a CRM system, community management and event scheduling platforms and a business intelligence tool designed to add quantitative analytics through all areas of the business.

• Responsible for developing strategic partnerships with investors, property owners and developers to scale the brand in Scandinavia, Istanbul, Iberian Peninsula and Moscow. Five locations in planning and development.
  
• Oversee the daily management of the business including human resources, finance, accounting, sales and marketing, operations, facility management and research and analytics.
  
• Manage and continue to develop an extensive network of real estate and investment professionals throughout Europe.
  

www.ditelegraph.com | ditelegraph.tilda.ws

June Homes is a collection of fully furnished luxury homes with hotel-style services and flexible leases, specifically designed for roommates. Recently closed its Series A led by Softbank Ventures at a $93.5mln valuation.

• Provided seed financing to help fund its first round of investment.
• Helped shape the initial concept and strategy and assisted in fund raising.
• Played an active role in launching the first location in December 2017. Currently more then 150 sites and

growing quick.

• Continue to advise the Founder & CEO on strategy, product and capital formation.

RHC was the largest investment and development company in Russia specializing in midmarket, internationally branded hotels. Since its inception, RHC deployed over USD 150 mln to develop 7 hotels and to acquire an additional 2 hotels. Successfully exited the portfolio for 22x EBITDA in 2017.

• Since assuming the lead, RHC achieved the following results:

- Improved Revenue (55%), GOP (63%) and EBITDA (93%).

- Opened 4 new properties and increased portfolio room count to 1,342 rooms (42%).

- Sold 6 non-active land plots.

• Led all aspects of the business including investment strategy, development and management.
  
• Restructured the portfolio’s debt obligations by deferring principal payments and lowering interest rates.
• Created asset management and analytical tools to drive the portfolio's optimal potential.
• Reduced corporate overhead and staff by -67% and -53%, respectively.
• Employed over 800 full time staff.
• Reported quarterly to a Board of Directors comprised of both investors and lenders.
• Represented RHC in negotiations with brand owners, general contractors and regional authorities.
• Created a result oriented culture based on integrity and maintaining positive relationships with valued stakeholders and partners.
• Board of Directors of the Four Season Lion Palace and RIMC CIS (second largest hotel management company in Russia).

viym.co.uk/en/projects

Strategy team moved from KPMG (market leader) to Deloitte in September 2013 to introduce Monitor Deloitte (formerly Monitor Group – founded by famed Harvard professor Michael Porter).

• Led the Private Equity sector group for audit, tax and advisory services. PE related revenues increased 98% and 35%, respectively, in the first two years.

• Oversaw investment management and private equity related engagements within transaction services and strategy consulting. Engagements included:
  

        - Ran operational diagnostics of portfolio companies within retail, real estate and hospitality sectors.

        - Oversaw the integration between a U.S. Fortune 10 company and a leading Russian manufacturer.

        - Devised strategical planning for the sale of non-core assets and cross border investments.

        - Created the development strategy of a leading hospitality investment holding.

        - Advised governments on attracting FDI and organizing road shows and introductions to investors.

        - Assisted a Middle Eastern SWF on improving the performance of portfolio hotels.

• Provided transaction support including financial and commercial due diligence for leading PE funds.
• Collaborated with the corporate finance team in securing and executing buy-side and sell-side mandates.
• Extensive network of regional and international senior level private equity professionals.

• Oversaw the operational and financial activity of a hotel investment and management company with $45 million in assets, $11 million in revenue and $4.3 million in net operating income. Portfolio included a Four Points by Sheraton, a Best Western Plus and a Hampton Inn.
• Specialized in acquiring under capitalized, mismanaged and mis-branded hotels in leading commercial and leisure markets in Southern California and Arizona.
• Responsible for asset management including capital improvements, acquisitions, exits and debt structuring ($16m cross collateralize loan between 3 hotels).
• Formed new co-investment partnerships with equity funds and private investors.

Four Points by Sheraton – 150 room airport hotel in Tucson, AZ | $7.5m acquisition + $1.2m renovation

• Repositioned a Best Western to a Four Points by Sheraton.  Increased net operating income from $620k to $1.5m in first 12 months.
  

www.lasbrisashotelgroup.com

• Led the acquisition process of target companies ranging from $20m to $60m for a U.S. based private equity firm with approximately $1 billion in assets under management.  At the time it was the largest institutionally backed private equity firm in both Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
• Performed comprehensive strategic and financial analysis in support of new and existing portfolio investments in Southeast European Fund IV ($350m) and Ukrainian Growth Fund III ($60m).
• Responsible for origination, financial and commercial due diligence, financial modeling and valuations, drafting term sheets and facilitating negotiations.

Cosmo - Leading Ukrainian retailer of household goods and cosmetics | $25.6m total investment

• Grew the retail chain from 37 to 98 stores in 18 months while increasing revenue from $38m to $92m. Improved position from 5th to 2nd in the market.
• Implemented operational improvements including in-store staff optimization ($30m increase in enterprise value), corporate reorganization (28% staff reduction), and lean purchasing and inventory management systems (45% reduction in SKUs).
• Developed internal investment analysis and KPIs as well as worked with top management, industry experts and advisors on strategic aims, financial initiatives and expansion targets.
  

Volia – Broadband and Internet Service Provider | $60m invested and +$300m exit to Providence Equity.

• Created a leading national provider of cable and broadband services with over 2.5 million subscribers through the acquisition and consolidation of over 50 local providers.

• Selected as one of eight to participate in Honeywell’s Leadership Program. Recruiting included the Ivy League and other top-25 programs.
• Rotating Marketing Manager for select divisions of Honeywell International.
• Responsible for product development and strategic planning.
• Developed annual departmental operating and business plans for new products.
• Devised a systematic approach to determine potential risk, required investment and profitability of offerings as well as quantitative marketing analysis metrics to better understand costumers.

• Unique opportunity to be immersed into a new culture at a grass-roots level with limited resources.
• Business Educator at two universities in Ukraine teaching finance, marketing and management.
• Language instructor and guest lecturer at universities conducting seminars on cross-cultural communication.