The AH&LA has revealed nine new additions to the 2015 Board of Directors, representing a wide scope of areas in lodging, including brands, owners and REITs, management companies, independents, and state associations.
“The addition of these outstanding individuals further validates and underscores our mission as we address important issues facing our industry in Washington and around the country, from labor issues such as extreme wage initiatives and the assault on the franchise model to online travel intermediaries by ensuring tax fairness and protecting our guests from deceptive practices to providing a level playing field and a safe environment for our guests with short-term online rentals and others that choose to skirt local laws,” Jim Abrahamson, CHA, CEO, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, and Chair of the Board of AH&LA said in a release on March 12.
New members include Kirk Kinsell, CEO of Loews Hotels & Resorts; John Arabia, president and CEO of Sunstone Hotel Investors; Alex Cabanas, president and CEO of Benchmark Hospitality International; Stephen Bartolin, Jr., chairman & CEO of The Broadmoor; Marc Gordon, president and CEO of Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association; and John Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of Fitzpatrick Hotel Group. See the full Board of Directors list here.
The board meets twice a year to discuss lodging and association-related issues. The new board was selected by the AH&LA Nominating Committee using the AH&LA Bylaws.
“These newest members join our outstanding Board of Directors and will strengthen our position as an industry that is united and whose momentum continues to grow,” said Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of the AH&LA. “In the past year alone, we’ve doubled our membership and have undertaken a number of key initiatives to strengthen the industry’s advocacy presence. As an industry, we have both serious issues and exciting opportunities as we continue to advocate for laws and regulations that allow our industry to continue to grow and create jobs. Together and with the leadership of our Board of Directors, we are well-equipped to tackle all that we have before us,” she said.
