Robert Keon

Robert Keon has worked in hospitality for over twenty years, including seven years in food and beverage management at various properties in New York state. Subsequently, Robert joined Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in New York City, where he held senior finance positions, participated in a multitude of due diligence work-outs, and was a member of Four Seasons' pre-opening team.

Robert’s track record also includes an almost three year stint as the Chief Financial Officer of the Gurney's Inn and Spa in Montauk, New York where, in addition to overseeing all financial and accounting affairs, he acted as the company's representative to the banking community, handling the company's letters of credit, special short-term loans, and promissory notes. During his tenure, Robert dramatically improved all aspects of the accounting financial reporting of the property, and financially supervised the initial stages for a multi million dollar renovation project, working with both the architect and project manager on draw requests and deadlines.

Since 2002, Robert Keon has provided his expertise and broad experience as a consultant to the hospitality industry, serving clients including Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Regent International Hotels and Resorts, Adam’s Mark Hotels and Resorts, Accor Hotels North America, Apollo Real Estate Advisors, Trust Hotel Group, Chartes Lodging, and Kokua  Hospitality.

Mr. Keon has participated in the successful acquisitions and transitions of Hotels in Pennsylvania, Indiana, New York, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, and Turks and Caicos Islands. He has forecasted RevPar activity through successful analysis of underlying factors and local area business levels. He has also developed numerous proformas, feasibility studies, and financial presentations for the purpose of marketing projects and securing financing on behalf of clients. His experience includes hotel development, taxation, auditing procedures, strategic planning, hotel development, budgeting, critical path scheduling, union contract negotiation, cost savings programs, procurement, and administration.

As a consultant of The Ascona Group, Robert works closely with clients to provide his services in conjunction with acquisitions, development of new properties, identifying possible financing solutions, facilitating alternative solutions as well as providing fresh insights into today's hotel and resort accounting and financial controls. Additionally, Robert Keon provides interim accounting leadership, delivers tailored hotel budgets and proformas, and conducts on-property financial and accounting assessments and departmental audits.

EDUCATION:

American Management Association Seminars – Advance Strategies for Controllers, Development, Accounting and Procurement, and Financial Analysis for Development.

Nassau Community College, Garden City, NY  Major Course of Study: Accounting (Part-Time),  Major Course of Study: Hotel and Restaurant Management

Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY   Bachelor’s Degree: Criminal Justice

PROFESSIONAL  ASSOCIATIONS

Hospitality Financial and Technological Professionals

Long Island Hotel and Motel Association

PERSONAL:

Robert has many hobbies and enjoys playing guitar, horseback riding, skydiving, jet skiing and cooking.