J. Allen Smith oversees all aspects of the company’s global portfolio of hotels, resorts and branded residences and is responsible for advancing Four Seasons position as the world’s leading luxury hospitality company.
Guiding the company’s overall direction and strategic priorities, Allen leverages Four Seasons single brand and absolute commitment to luxury hospitality to extend the company’s global presence and leadership.
Leading the development and execution of the company’s strategy with a long-term view to creating shareholder and hotel owner value, Allen is focused on protecting and strengthening Four Seasons competitive advantages and extending the brand’s legendary culture of service excellence in the world’s most important destinations.
Allen began work at Prudential Real Estate Investors (PREI), one of the world’s largest real estate investment managers, in 1987 as a member of its hotel investment group and was appointed CEO in 2008. Under his leadership, PREI expanded its global presence to 23 offices worldwide and USD 53 billion in real estate assets under management, including many hotels.
A graduate of Cornell University, Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree from Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration.