MITCH PATEL, VISION Hospitality Group's founder and CEO, is named chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association board for 2025. Anu Saxena, Hilton Supply Management's president and global head, is appointed chair of the AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees.
Patel succeeds Kevin Jacobs, Hilton Worldwide Holdings' CFO and president for global development, who served as AHLA board chair in 2024 and will remain as immediate past chair, AHLA said in a statement.
Patel said he looks forward to working with a group of hospitality leaders.
“It’s our duty to tell the story of our industry to lawmakers at every level of government and show them that policies supporting hoteliers lead to jobs and thriving communities,” he said. “I’m also excited to build on AHLA’s legacy as a group that connects people in our industry through must-attend events and continues work in areas like anti-human trafficking and sustainability.”
Liam Brown, Marriott International Group president for U.S. & Canada, will serve as vice chair.
Thom Geshay, Davidson Hospitality Group CEO and president, will serve as AHLA’s secretary and treasurer. Jon Bortz, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust chairman and CEO, continues as chair of the HotelPAC Advisory Council.
Navin Dimond, Stonebridge founder and chairman, and former AAHOA Chairwoman Jagruti Panwala, president and CEO of Wealth Protection Strategies, join AHLA’s executive committee. Ash Kapur, CEO of InTown Suites and Uptown Suites at Starwood Capital Group; Kris Kielsa, ECOLAB executive vice president and general manager for Institutional North America; and Pete Patek, Promise Hotels president and CEO, are inducted into AHLA’s board of directors.
“AHLA has assembled a diverse group of hospitality leaders who will help advance our issues as a new administration takes office,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA’s president and CEO. “I’m confident this board will build on our advocacy victories and ensure that hoteliers across the country can thrive and provide lasting careers for millions of employees.”
The board of directors and executive committee include leaders from all sectors of the lodging industry, including brands, owners, REITs, management companies, branded properties, independent hotels, and state associations.
Other members for 2025 include:
AHLA executive committee:
- Carol Dover, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association's president and CEO.
- Amanda Hite, STR's president.
- Craig Smith, Aimbridge Hospitality's CEO.
AHLA board of directors:
- Omer Acar, Raffles and Fairmont, Accor's CEO.
- Jean-Luc Barone, White Lodging's president and CEO.
- Dina Belon, StayPineapple's president.
- Laura Calin, Oracle Hospitality's senior vice president.
- Dawn Gallagher, Crescent Hotels & Resorts' president for hospitality.
- Clark Hanrattie, HEI's partner.
- Luis Segredo, Data Travel, Hapi's CEO.
- Chad Sorensen, CHMWarnick's CEO.
- Jonathan Wang, EOS Investors' founder and CEO.
AHLA recently named Luis Segredo, CEO of Data Travel, as chair of the 2025 Global Technology 100 leadership team, with Edward Malinowski, Aman CIO, as vice chair.
