Pinal Patel of Goodlettsville, Tenn., is the new secretary for AAHOA. Patel was born in Bardoli, India, and moved to the United States at the age of two when his family came to to Nashville in 1984. His parents, who did not speak any English when they arrived, bought their first independent hotel in 1991, making him a second-generation hotelier. He graduated from flight school at Embry Riddle in Daytona Beach, Fla., but bought his first franchise property soon after.
Before becoming secretary, he served as an AAHOA Ambassador and as AAHOA’s director at large, Eastern Division.
“Hard work definitely pays off,” Patel said in a statement. “I'm going to make sure we do what's right for the association and for the members. I promise to all my supporters, my family, and my fellow members that I will not let you down. I will do what's best for the association's interests."
AAHOA members also elected the following 10 members to the Board of Directors:
- Gulf Regional Director: Vimal Patel
- North Florida Regional Director: Jayesh (Jay) Patel
- Mid Atlantic Regional Director: Mahendra (MZ) Patel
- Mid South Regional Director: Ajay Patel
- South Carolina Regional Director: Fenil Desai
- South Pacific Regional Director: Nilesh (Neil) Bhakta
- South Central Texas Regional Director: Vikash K. Patel
- Southeast Texas Regional Director: Bhavik Patel
- Southwest Regional Director: Dharmesh Ahir
- Women Hoteliers Director Western Division: Shetal Zina Patel
The AAHOA Board of Directors also added three members to serve as industry partners for the 2024-25 Term:
- Amir Ahmed, executive vice president, DISH Business
- Kevin Sloan, managing partner, Gauthier Murphy & Houghtaling
- Abraham Tieh, director of national commercial property tax, O’Connor & Associates
“As we install our new Board of Directors for the 2024-25 term, I am honored to work alongside these esteemed individuals as we embark on a journey to shape the future of our association and the hospitality industry as a whole,” incoming AAHOA Chairman Miraj S. Patel added. “I congratulate Pinal on his election as AAHOA’s newest secretary and look forward to working alongside the AAHOA officers and board to continue to prioritize the needs of our 20,000 members, ensuring that AAHOA remains the leading voice for hotel owners nationwide.”
“I am honored to welcome our new Board of Directors to their roles for the upcoming term and extend my deepest congratulations to Pinal for being elected as secretary on the AAHOA board,” said AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake. “The AAHOA Board’s dedication and collaborative spirit exemplify the strength of AAHOA's membership. With their diverse expertise and unwavering commitment, our Board Members will play a pivotal role in driving innovation, advocating for our members, and fostering growth and success within our community in the year ahead.”
American Hotel & Lodging Association Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey recognized the new appointees:
“Congratulations to AAHOA on its 35th anniversary and to its new board and officer team on a successful convention and leadership elections. This dedicated group of leaders will play a vital role in driving innovation and future growth while advancing the economic success story of the AAHOA community and advocating for all hoteliers. The hotel industry, and the millions of people it employs, will always be strongest when all stakeholders collaborate across segments to promote responsible public policies at all levels of government. We look forward to recommitting to the successful advocacy partnership our organizations have shared over time.”