PROFILE
Welcome to BAXTER HOTEL GROUP INC., formerly NARVEN ENTERPRISES INC. Founded in 1985 with holdings in the US and Canada, BAXTER HOTEL GROUP INC. is a well-established hospitality and real estate investment firm specializing in the development of top branded hotels and trendy restaurants in some of the most sought-after locations in downtown San Diego and other cities. With over 40 years of hospitality and real estate experience, our Executive Management Team has a diverse background and unique blend of experience in
both the public and private sectors of hospitality, financial and real estate industries. Our team brings substantial experience in the successful management of our hotels, residential communities, commercial/retail outlets, parking services, real estate brokerage, property development and condo conversion projects. We excel in performance by taking a structured yet entrepreneurial approach. We maximize the performance of the businesses that we own, develop and manage.
Behram Baxter Chairman and CEO
Mr. Baxter has more than 40 years of success in the real estate service industry, including 25 years in the hotel industry. His background is in engineering and he holds a real estate degree from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada.
His hands-on approach to the acquisition, development, and operation of various IHG, Marriott, Wyndham, and Hilton hotels has made him the ultimate resource for his team throughout the entire project life cycle. With offices located in San Diego, Arizona, and Toronto, Mr. Baxter’s highlights include:
- Chairman and CEO of Baxter Hotel Group, Inc., a San-Diego-based Hotel and Real Estate Development group
- President of Mayfair Reality, Inc., a Canada-based commercial and industrial real estate brokerage firm
- President of Tribax Management Ltd., a Canada-based residential property management firm
- President of Baxter Realtors Infrastructure, a real estate development enterprise in Mumbai, India focusing on the development of residential apartment buildings
Rena Baxter Vice-Chairman
Ms. Rena has been actively involved with our company since 1994. She consistently contributes to our hotel design and management decisions as well as property acquisitions.
Her career began in the tour and travel industry as a marketing, advertising, and promotions manager for SeaJet Cruise Lines. She then made her way into the hotel industry by working in a sales and marketing department to promote Cendant and Choice-branded hotels. Later, she would do the same for IHG properties.
She eventually became involved in commercial real estate development, where she used her extensive background in hotel sales and marketing. In 2007, Rena founded our in-house real estate brokerage firm, the Baxter Realty Group Inc.
Rena attended San Diego State University, where she focused on studying marketing and broadcast journalism.
Michael Nguyen Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Mr. Nguyen is serving as the CFO and COO for Baxter Hotel Group since 2006. With his extensive background in multi-entity development, operation and financial management, Mr. Nguyen oversees the overall operation of our company and our managed hotels. His highly effective leadership style has resulted in significant growth in total revenue and combined net profit. Under his management, Baxter Hotel Group added two ground-up construction hotels to its portfolio: The Candlewood Suites in Tucson Arizona in 2013, and the Towne Place Suites by Marriott in downtown San Diego, California in 2018.
As the CFO, Mr. Nguyen establishes and oversees the complete financial reporting and planning processes, the treasury functions of all the existing properties, and the financing for all our development projects.
Before joining Baxter Hotel Group, Mr. Nguyen served as a senior financial director for Interior Architects Inc. in San Francisco, California. During his earlier years, he spent time practicing public accounting with extensive focus on tax research and planning.
Mr. Nguyen holds a CPA license in the State of California and an MBA degree in International Business Management from the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand.
Collin Kallmann Vice President of Revenue Management
With 25 years of experience in the hotel industry, Mr. Kallmann brings a wealth of trade knowledge to our company. The combination of his skills in market analysis, revenue maximization, and hands-on management makes us the market leader in all revenue categories.
He is responsible for our annual revenue budgets, revenue analysis, and sales team management at each hotel. His skills in developing and implementing rules ensure the maximization of ownership interests.
Mr. Kallmann started his career in Tucson, Arizona, where he worked at the Lodge at Ventana Canyon during his college years. He also proudly served in the United States Army during the Gulf War and received many accolades. Before joining our firm, he worked for other hotels, such as The Arizona Biltmore, The Wyndham Buttes Resort, The Hotel Del Coronado, and La Costa Resort and Spa.
Donald Kramer Vice President of Development
Mr. Kramer joined our company in 2016. He is mainly responsible for the management and oversight of all project development and construction activities for new and existing real estate assets.
Before joining Baxter Hotel Group, he worked as senior project manager for Gafcon Construction Consultants. His involvement resulted in the successful completion of several multi-million educational buildings for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.
He also worked as a director of development in Mountain West Real Estate for 10 years before joining Gafcon Construction Consultants. Here, he was responsible for the management of all real estate development and construction for residential and Class A commercial mixed-use properties.
Mr. Kramer has served in senior project management roles for Sunstone Hotel Group and Shimizu America Corporation as well in his more than 30 years’ experience in the real estate development industry. His work helped develop and build more the three million square feet of commercial, industrial, hospitality, and apartment projects, and more than one thousand single-family homes.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the San Diego State University.
Pete Lassalette Vice President of Operations
Pete has more than 26 years of experience in managing large hotels and private country clubs. Pete joined Baxter Hotel Group in 2019. and used his extensive background in hotel operation and leadership to inspire his team in providing superior customer service while exceeding the financial goals for each property. His talent for operational management has made us an industry leader among our peers.
After attending Cal Poly Pomona, Pete started his career working for various companies, including Marriott, Pacifica Hospitality Group, Club Corp, Handlery Hotels and Resorts, Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, San Diego Yacht Club, and others. Pete was responsible for the daily operation of four franchised properties in San Diego and Arizona, including Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham.
He and his wife, Amy, reside with their children, Madison and Tyler, in Rolling Hills Ranch while his oldest son lives in Sacramento.