Virginia Business Magazine selects Cornerstone Hospitality President & CEO Kimberly Christner as one of the most influential and powerful business leaders in Virginia’s hospitality sector.

PRESIDENT AND CEO, CORNERSTONE HOSPITALITY LLC,  selected one of the most influential and powerful business leaders in Virginia’s hospitality sector.

Although Cornerstone Hospitality manages branded hotels, the company is probably best known for its work developing distinctive boutique hotels designed with décor reflecting the history and culture of the regions where the properties are located.

Partnering with Craig Larson, Christner formed Cornerstone Hospitality in 2012. Today, the company owns and manages 18 hotels and
15 food and beverage outlets and banquet venues. Additionally, the company conducts market research for individuals or town leaders considering boutique hotel opportunities.

A year after launching, Cornerstone Hospitality teamed up with Virginia-based MB Contractors and Architectural Partners to form a partnership called Creative Boutique Hotels LLC.

Focusing on developing boutique hotels in historic buildings in small markets, the partnership produced the Craddock Terry Hotels and Event Center in Lynchburg, the Western Front Hotel in Saint Paul and the Sessions Hotel in Bristol.

Previously, Christner worked for Williamsburg-based Beck Co. for almost two decades, including five years as CEO.

She received her bachelor’s in business administration from Saint Leo University in Florida and has earned several certifications from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell.