New York, New York (May 10, 2012) – BD Hotels, led by developers Richard Born and Ira Drukier, is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Yo as General Manager of the new Pod 39 Hotel in Murray Hill, New York City. Yo brings more than ten years of hospitality experience to his current role where he will focus on driving the core principles of Pod Culture.  Yo will manage all hotel operations and fiscal responsibilities; including guest services, housekeeping, maintenance, sales, revenue and accounting.

Most recently, Yo served as multi-property general manager for Gemini Hospitality Group. Prior to this position, Yo served as director of operations and chief of security at the Ace Hotel New York, where he was a member of the executive and steering committee and directly managed all areas of the front office and hotel security.

Yo has held multiple management positions at several NYC hotels including The Cooper Square Hotel, where he served as assistant front services manager; The Reform Club Inn, where he served as an opening and logistics consultant; and The Tribeca Grand Hotel and Soho Grand Hotel, where he served as front office manager. In previous years, Yo also served as front office manager at Ian Schrager Hotels’ Royalton Hotel and Paramount Hotel. He has opened multiple New York properties including the Ace Hotel New York, The Reform Club Inn, The Cooper Square Hotel and the Hudson, as well as the Clift Hotel in San Francisco.

“Yo’s comprehensive knowledge of the hospitality industry and bottom-line focus will be instrumental to the launch of The Pod 39 Hotel and its enduring operations,” said David Bernstein, Managing Director. “His dedication to driving a superior hotel culture will help guide not just the second Pod property, but Pod as a brand. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

Yo is a graduate of State University of New York at Buffalo. He now resides in New York City.

Ownership
The Pod 39 is owned and operated by BD Hotels, which currently owns 21 hotels with more than 5,000 rooms, and is the largest independent hotel owner and operator in New York City.  BD Hotels partners Richard Born and Ira Drukier are involved in the ownership and management of a number of other Manhattan hotels including The Bowery, The Maritime, The Jane, The Mercer, and Robert De Niro’s Greenwich Hotel.