May 24, 2016 – Ocean City, MD., New York, NY. Real Hospitality Group (RHG) announced today the addition of Chief Investment Officer, expanding the strategic plans for the company’s next phase of client services and organizational expansion. Ben Seidel, President and CEO says the move represents a major strategic initiative, embracing the opportunity to cultivate relationships at a deeper level with ownership, asset managers and investment groups. Seidel commented: “We are excited to announce the addition of Joseph Yi to our team. With his expertise in real estate investment, he will play an integral role in the propelling of our Company’s growth, as well as assisting our current partners to attain their investment and financial goals. I feel that our current scale and size warrants a seasoned industry leader with the investment experience and sophistication to better service our clients and the company.” Seidel added: “Having Joseph join our group is doubly rewarding for me; we are adding a “difference maker” and an industry opinion leader who will help us elevate our company to new heights, while also onboarding a seasoned veteran who can be of a tremendous resource to continuously improve the level of services we offer our clients.”

Mr. Yi brings over 14 years of extensive real estate investment knowledge and experience spanning all major sectors. He is particularly adept in the acquisition, financing, and structuring of investments in hotels, office, multi-family, and mixed-use properties. The breadth of Mr. Yi's expertise has developed through various leadership roles, in which he spearheaded over $5 billion worth of real estate transactions, including over $2 billion in the lodging sector. Mr. Yi's extensive real estate finance background includes bridge, permanent and construction financing, including EB-5 financing in excess of $300 million in four development projects.

Prior to joining RHG, Mr. Yi was a managing director of a luxury residential developer in NYC and prior to that the Vice President of Investments and General Counsel for a prominent real estate and hotel developer.

Mr. Yi received his undergraduate degree from Binghamton University – State University of New York and his juris doctorate from Brooklyn Law School. He brings a comprehensive legal background, which includes several years of service as the General Counsel for a prominent New York-based real estate group. He is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, and has served on multiple boards for various business associations. Mr. Yi currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Asian Real Estate Association of America Manhattan Chapter, and is the founding member of its Commercial Division.