Hammons Hotels appoints senior VP, general counsel

Justin Harris began Feb. 1 and is responsible for overseeing Hammons’ Hotels real estate development; managing its financing, litigation and franchising; arranging partnerships between public and private entities; handling legal issues; and directing its legal department, according to a company news release.

“Justin will add great value to the executive team as we move forward with $500 million of new construction in the ground and more than $1.5 billion in the hotel and meetings space development pipeline,” company CEO John Q. Hammons said in the release.

Harris previously was a partner and managing partner at Lowther Johnson’s Springfield office.

Harris replaces Debra Shantz, who left "to pursue other opportunities," according to spokeswoman Sheri Smith.