# Andro Nodarse-Leon

> Andro Nodarse-Leon is the Miami-based founder and CEO of LionGrove, a hotel investment and operating firm with properties in Puerto Rico and Arizona. His career includes Goldman Sachs, KKR, the founding of LEON, MAYER & Co., and oversight of Endeavor Schools. He also co-authored a book on Cuba’s economy and serves on the Cuban American National Foundation board.

- **Role:** Founder and Chief Executive Officer at LionGrove, LLC
- **Organizations:** LionGrove, LLC, LEON, MAYER & Co., Endeavor Schools, Goldman Sachs, KKR, Cuban American National Foundation, International Luxury Hotel Association, Hilton Owners Advisory Council (former), Oliver Scholars (former trustee)
- **Education:** BS, cum laude, University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, BSE, cum laude, University of Pennsylvania, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
- **Known for:** LionGrove biography credits him with over $85 billion in acquisition, financing and divestiture transactions over his career; this is transaction value, not personal wealth., During LEON, MAYER’s ownership of Endeavor, the platform acquired 34 schools and developed three across nine states and 14 metropolitan areas., Participated in acquiring and rebuilding El San Juan Hotel.

## Career timeline

- **During university** — Started a nightlife company at Penn.
- **Before 2005** — Worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and then private equity at KKR in New York.
- **2005** — Founded LEON, MAYER & Co.
- **2012-2018** — Led LEON, MAYER’s involvement in Endeavor Schools.
- **2015** — Led a joint venture acquisition of El San Juan Hotel from Blackstone; co-authored a book on Cuba.
- **2017** — Hurricane Maria damaged El San Juan Hotel after its renovation.
- **2018** — Founded LionGrove.
- **2019-2020** — El San Juan restoration completed at the end of 2019; Fairmont rebranding followed in January 2020.
- **2021** — Participated in Foxwoods El San Juan Casino’s soft launch.
- **2022** — LionGrove acquired Wyndham Grand Rio Mar.
- **2025** — LionGrove announced its acquisition of ADERO Scottsdale.

## Achievements

- LionGrove biography credits him with over $85 billion in acquisition, financing and divestiture transactions over his career; this is transaction value, not personal wealth.
- During LEON, MAYER’s ownership of Endeavor, the platform acquired 34 schools and developed three across nine states and 14 metropolitan areas.
- Participated in acquiring and rebuilding El San Juan Hotel.
- Co-authored Cuba: From Economic Take-off to Collapse Under Castro with Jorge Salazar-Carrillo (2015).

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — LionGrove announced Ricardo Vázquez as vice president of talent and culture and Sophia Chan as senior vice president of development.
- **2026-05** — Appeared on ABC News on May 20 to discuss U.S.-Cuba relations as a Cuban American National Foundation board vice president.
- **2026-03** — Hotel Management detailed the $70 million Rio Mar reinvestment and guest programming.
- **2026-02** — El Nuevo Día reported completion of Rio Mar’s $70 million renovation; he discussed the resort on No Vacancy Live! on February 15.
- **2025-01** — LionGrove announced the ADERO Scottsdale acquisition; he discussed underwriting and patience in a subsequent interview.

## Links

- Website: https://liongrove.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andro-nodarse-leon-2bb71837

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/andro-nodarse-leon
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15