Access Point Financial, LLC (APF), a leading direct lender and specialty finance company focused exclusively on the hospitality industry, revealed two new key appointments to its leadership team, with Angelo Stambules signing on as Vice President of Capital Markets and Loan Syndications, and Keith Avant joining as Chief Credit Officer. Both appointments were made as part of Access Point Financial’s aggressive growth strategy going into 2020.

Stambules is a 25-year veteran of the hotel finance, development, investment, consulting, and operations industries. In his most recent role as Managing Director at hotel investment banking and brokerage firm Davis Hotel Capital, Stambules served as an advisor to clients seeking creative capital and investment advisory assistance. Prior to joining Davis Hotel Capital, Stambules served as VP of Hotel Investments & Capital Markets at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Before this, he held senior leadership positions at Capmark Finance, Hunter Hotel Advisors, Marriott International, and Prime Hospitality Group.

Stambules remains active in many corners of the hospitality industry, and has served as an adjunct professor at NYU's School of Continuing Education, Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Travel Administration. He has also been a faculty member and a regular participant in Michigan State's Hospitality Business Real Estate Investment and Development Program, as well as a member of the organization's Hospitality Business Real Estate & Development Advisory Council.

"Angelo is an accomplished and seasoned member of the hospitality industry," said Dilip Petigara, Chief Executive Officer at Access Point Financial. "He's a rare expert who serves as a business leader and an educator, and we are excited to have him join our team.”

Avant brings 27 years of experience in the banking and credit industries to his new role as Chief Credit Officer at Access Point Financial. Avant began his career at First Union National Bank in Jacksonville, and went on to hold a variety of management and credit-related positions at SunTrust Bank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer for MidSouth Bank, located in Lafayette, La, where he oversaw all of the organization’s lending and credit operations.

“Keith is a senior credit executive with a vast amount of experience and expertise in our sector and his record of success speaks volumes,” said Petigara. “He will be a highly valuable addition to our team, and we are honored to work alongside him as we enter a new year and a new era for the hospitality industry.”

Founded in 2011, Atlanta, GA.-based APF offers full-service lending and advisory platform that provides financing to qualified hotel franchisees of all major brands and independent boutique hotels throughout the United States and Canada.