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James L. Francis is our President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to Highland, Mr. Francis served as the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Barceló Crestline Corporation. Mr. Francis served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Crestline Capital Corporation, prior to its acquisition by Barceló, from December of 1998 to June 2002. Prior to the spin-off of Crestline Capital from Host Marriott Corporation, Mr. Francis held various finance and strategic planning positions with Host Marriott and Marriott International, Inc. From June 1997 to December 1998, Mr. Francis held the position of Assistant Treasurer and Vice President Corporate Finance for Host Marriott, where he was responsible for Host Marriott's corporate finance function, business strategy and investor relations. Over a period of ten years, Mr. Francis served in various capacities with Marriott International's lodging business, including Vice President of Finance for Marriott Lodging from 1995 to 1997; Brand Executive, Courtyard by Marriott from 1994 to 1995; Controller for the Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield Inn businesses from 1993 to 1994; Director of Finance and Strategic Planning for Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield Inn from 1991 to 1993; and Director of Hotel Development Finance from 1987 to 1991. While at Host Marriott, Mr. Francis led the negotiations and structuring of leases on $8 billion of hotel assets. Mr. Francis currently serves on the board of directors of Marriott Federal Credit Union. Mr. Francis received his B.A. in Economics and business from Western Maryland College and earned an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from Vanderbilt University. | 