Former Starr Restaurants executive Josh Levine has been named to the newly created position of senior vice president of restaurants and bars for hotel company HHM, formerly known as Hersha Hospitality Management, the company said Thursday.

Levine was previously vice president of operations for Starr, where he was responsible for 34 restaurants and bars within the Philadelphia-based multiconcept group, including the opening of the James Beard award winning Le Coucou in New York.

At HHM, Levine will focus on expanding the Independent Collection’s food-and-beverage outlets and offerings, eventually overseeing all restaurants and bars within the hotel group’s portfolio, according to a press release.

“Josh Levine’s experience and knowledge in the restaurant and bar sector sets him up to be incredibly successful in this newly-created role,” said Naveen Kakarla, HHM president and CEO, in a statement. “He is the perfect complement to our executive team and his expertise will ensure this expanding division of HHM has the attention it needs and deserves.”

HHM operates nearly 135 hotels across the U.S. under the Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton and Intercontinental Hotel Group banners, as well as independent properties, including The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia, the Pan Pacific Seattle and The Envoy Hotel in Boston.

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