Sonesta International Hotels Corp. has announced that its CEO, John Murray, will retire on March 31, marking a leadership transition for one of the fastest-growing hotel groups in the U.S. hospitality market. Following Murray’s departure, Sonesta will adopt a co-CEO structure, with Keith Pierce and Jeff Leer sharing the top role.
Pierce currently serves as executive vice president and president of franchise and development at Sonesta and has been credited with driving the company’s rapid global franchising expansion since joining in 2021.
His background includes senior leadership roles at Wyndham Hotel Group and Cendant Corp., bringing deep experience in brand growth and owner relations. Leer, meanwhile, is an executive vice president at Sonesta’s parent company, The RMR Group, where he has held senior finance and accounting roles since 2013.
Murray became Sonesta’s CEO in 2022 and oversaw a period of significant transformation. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its management and franchise businesses, upgraded technology platforms, and expanded its commercial infrastructure, positioning Sonesta for long-term growth in a competitive hotel landscape.
The dual-CEO model reflects Sonesta’s focus on balancing development, operations, and financial discipline as it continues to scale its portfolio across multiple segments and markets.