Portland-based ScanlanKemperBard Companies (SKB) and hotel industry veteran Robert Riley have announced that they have joined together to form SKB Hotel Group. The new group will specialize in providing hospitality financial advisory services and hotel and resort investment and development. SKB Hotel Group will provide capital for and develop hotel and resort projects under the seasoned direction of Riley.

Formerly the CEO of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (Hong Kong), Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts, and Armani Hotels, Riley is known for his hands-on management style. He has overseen the acquisition, development and operation of scores of hotels throughout the world. “I’m delighted to be joining SKB’s finely tuned team. Together, we intend to build a strong presence in the hotel and resort sector,” Riley said.

“The hotel and resort market is strengthening rapidly,” said Bob Scanlan, Chairman and CEO of SKB. “Robert will hit the ground running as SKB has just joined forces with Denver developers Jeff Selby (The Four Seasons – Denver) and The Nichols Partnership’s Randy Nichols (The Spire and Clayton Lane) to develop a 95 acre resort hotel / spa / villas and winery in Napa, CA, budgeted at $275 million.”

Selby commented that “after seven years of planning and working with the City of Napa, the timing now is perfect. We plan to break ground next spring on an extraordinary resort in Napa – and we’re pleased SKB has added Robert Riley to their team.”

Riley will be primarily based in SKB’s Portland, Oregon flagship office. Under his leadership, luxury hotels and resorts around the world have been transformed and recognized for their quality of service, facilities and management. Riley’s global industry experience brings a new dimension to SKB through SKB Hotel Group.