Turning the Building Inside Out with Mike Everett
Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast
Episode 97
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In this podcast, Martha McGee sits down with Mike Everett, Executive Vice President at CoralTree Hospitality, to explore the deeper forces shaping hospitality today, from the rise of experience-driven travel to the quiet discipline of protecting a project’s original vision when budget cuts strike. Mike reflects on his journey from a teenage cook in Billings, Montana, to overseeing complex hospitality portfolios across the country, sharing why the core of the industry hasn’t changed: creating moments people carry with them long after checkout.
The conversation spans luxury growth, placemaking, social impact as culture (not a buzzword), and the increasingly delicate balance between technology, service, and profitability. Mike also unpacks what it means to “violently defend the vision of a project” as budgets tighten, and why hotels that truly engage their communities become something far more powerful than an asset class. It’s a thoughtful, grounded look at hospitality as both a business and a human endeavor.
Discussed in the Episode:
CoralTree Hospitality
Walter Isenberg, Co-founder and CEO of Sage Hospitality Group
Zach Neumeyer, Co-founder and Board Chairman of Sage Hospitality Group
Pier Sixty-Six Resort in Fort Lauderdale, FL
NuovoRE
Hotel Revival Baltimore
Outbound Hotels
Seaport Hotel in Boston, MA
Sage Lodge in Pray, MT outside Yellowstone National Park
Artist Avery Iris from Bozeman, MT
Mike Everett on LinkedIn
About Mike Everett:
Mike Everett, an accomplished professional with a rich history in the hospitality industry, brings his extensive expertise to Coral Tree Hospitality as the Executive Vice President overseeing a diverse portfolio of responsibilities. In this role, Mike is responsible for spearheading Business Development, Design & Development Services, Openings & Transitions, Information Technology, Engineering & Security, and Sustainability functions.
From 2018 to 2023, Mike served as the President of NuovoRE, a distinguished developer specializing in intricate historic adaptive reuse projects. During his tenure, NuovoRE focused on projects involving state and federal historic tax credits, opportunity zones, and various local tax subsidies. Mike’s leadership was instrumental in assembling a formidable team that executed independently positioned hotels, each distinguished in their markets for exceptional design and programming. Under Mike’s guidance, NuovoRE emerged as a trailblazer in the industry as a social impact investor, introducing innovative business practices that positively affected guests, employees, vendors, and community stakeholders.
Prior to his role at NuovoRE, Mike served as the Chief Investment Officer at Sage Hospitality from 2012 to 2018. In this capacity, he led all growth functions related to development, acquisition, and third-party management. Sage Hospitality deployed over $1 billion in total capital during Mike’s tenure, contributing to the success of prominent projects such as Dairy Block, Perry Lane Hotel, Halcyon, and Denver Union Station.
From 2003 to 2012, Mike held various key positions within Destination Hotels & Resorts and Lowe Hospitality group, culminating in his role as Senior Vice President of Business Development for the final six years. During this period, the firm completed complex hotel and resort acquisitions while significantly expanding its third-party management business.
Mike embarked on his illustrious career in 1999 when he joined Sage Hospitality after completing his degree at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. Over the years, he has demonstrated a commitment to community involvement by serving on the boards of Collective Retreats, New Waterloo, and Goodwill of Colorado. Mike is an active member of the ULI Hotel Development Council, a past participant in the AHLA Investment Roundtable, and a founding board member of the Marriott Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership at Howard University. His dedication extends to supporting Mayor Mike Johnston’s task force focused on eradicating homelessness in Denver.
Mike Everett continues to shape the future of the hospitality industry, blending innovation, social impact, and business acumen in each endeavor he undertakes.
About Dot Dot Dot: The NINE dot ARTS Podcast:
Dot Dot Dot is the continuing conversation around art in the built environment. Episodes explore art, culture, placemaking, and more with a range of reputable art and business leaders. Tune in biweekly to learn how an original art experience can boost your business and make a positive social impact. Episodes are available wherever you get your podcasts!
