LOS ANGELES (January 28, 2019) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced its 2019 Officers, Board of Directors and Executive Committee, which includes top leaders representing all segments of the hospitality industry.

Notably, Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, was named chair of the board, Jon Bortz, Chairman, President & CEO of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust as vice chair, Justin Knight, President & CEO of Apple Hospitality REIT, joins the officer slate as secretary/treasurer and Dave Johnson, president & CEO of Aimbridge Hospitality, will continue in his role as chair of the Board of Trustees. Ballotti succeeds Mark Carrier, President, B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group, who has served as chair for the past two years and becomes immediate past chair. 

“I’m honored to serve as chair of AHLA at such a pivotal and exciting time for our association and our industry as a whole,” said Ballotti. “The past year has been one of AHLA’s strongest yet, with a wave of momentum around our most important issues. I want to thank Mark Carrier for his outstanding leadership as AHLA chairman over the past two years as AHLA was out front positioning our industry around the critical jobs and career development we foster for our current workforce and aspiring young talented individuals who seek jobs in our dynamic industry through the work of our association and foundation. I’m excited to begin the next chapter for our industry, welcoming our incoming president & CEO Chip Rogers, and building on that momentum to achieve even more success in the future.”

Incoming AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers addressed the AHLA Board of Directors during its January meeting. He officially takes the helm of AHLA today, January 28. At the meeting, Rogers noted the incredible momentum from AHLA in 2018 around advancing its policy agenda as well as improving member engagement, growing HotelPAC to record levels, strengthening its premier partnership program and building out new, high-value events and thought leadership platforms.

“It is an honor to be joining AHLA and leading an association that makes such a positive difference for so many people,” said Rogers. “The lodging industry is truly remarkable, creating opportunities for millions of hardworking people and providing a home away from home for Americans and international visitors alike. AHLA represents the pinnacle trade association of the lodging industry, and the American Hotel and Lodging Foundation has advanced the education and careers of thousands of industry leaders. That’s due in no small part to the leadership of Katherine Lugar, the strong AHLA team and the commitment of the AHLA Officers, Board and Executive Committee as well as our Foundation Trustees. I look forward to building on Katherine’s legacy and working closely with our distinguished Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Trustees as we continue to move AHLA and our industry forward.” 
The AHLA Board of Directors represents leaders from all sectors of the lodging industry, including brands, owners and real estate investment trusts (REITs), management companies, independent hotels and state associations. 

Click [HERE] to view the 2019 AHLA Board of Directors.

New members of the board appointed to two-year terms in 2019 include: 
 
Owner Representatives
Joe Berger, President & CEO, BRE Hotels & Resorts
Krissy Gathright, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Apple Hospitality REIT
Sean Mahoney, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, RLJ Lodging Trust
Mitch Patel, President & CEO, Vision Hospitality Group
Steven Siegel, Partner and Chief Operating Officer, KSL Capital Partners, LLC
Nate Tyrrell, Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer, Host Hotels & Resorts

Management Company Representatives
Ted Darnall, CEO Lodging &Technical Services Companies, HEI Hotels
Sloan Dean, COO, Remington Hotels
Michael George, Founder, President, and CEO, Crescent Hotels & Resorts
Thomas Penny, President, Donohoe Hospitality

Independent Representatives
Jack Damioli, President & CEO, The Broadmoor
John Tolbert, President/ Managing Director, Boca Raton Resort & Club

Allied Representatives 
Reggie Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Cvent
Michael Leone, Chief Commercial Officer, PSAV
Tammy Weinbaum, Executive Vice President-Global Client Group, Global Merchant Services, American Express Compay

At-Large Representatives
Catherine Powell, President, Disney Parks Western Region, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products
Kate Walsh, Dean and E.M. Statler Professor, School of Hotel Administration, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Additionally, AHLA welcomed four new members to its Executive Committee, which serves as the association's core governance body and guides its policy agenda. 

Click [HERE] to view the 2019 AHLA Executive Committee.

New Representatives on the Executive Committee
Leslie Hale, CEO, RLJ Lodging Trust  
Walter Isenberg, President & CEO, Sage Hospitality 
Stephen Bartolin, Jr., Chairman of The Broadmoor and President of The Broadmoor-Sea Island Company
Rob Palleschi, President & CEO, G6 Hospitality LLC

AHLA’s success would not be possible without the support of its partner organizations. The AHLA Premier Partner Program offers industry vendors and suppliers the opportunity to engage directly with AHLA members at an executive level and increase brand visibility.

AHLA 2019 Premier Partners
Platinum: American Express, Cvent, Hcareers a Virgil Company, PSAV, Sabre Hospitality Solutions, STR Inc. 
Gold: Avendra LLC, Brand USA, Ecolab 
Silver: Pearson 

Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest national association solely representing all segments of the eight million jobs the U.S. lodging industry supports, including brands, hotel owners, REITs, chains, franchisees, management companies, independent properties, bed and breakfasts, state hotel associations and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA proudly represents a dynamic hotel industry of more than 54,000 properties that supports $1.1 trillion in U.S. sales and generates nearly $170 billion in taxes to local, state and federal governments. 

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