AHLA's Carey joins SBA lending advisory council

KEVIN CAREY, CHIEF operating officer and senior executive vice president of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, has been appointed to the Small Business Administration's Small Business Lending Advisory Council. As a member of SBLAC, he will work with the SBA administrator to enable capital access for small businesses, including those in underserved communities.

“Kevin’s deep understanding of financial services and lending from his extensive career inside and outside the hotel industry make him exceptionally qualified to take on this critical role,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA’s president and CEO. “Kevin’s expertise will be highly valued as SBA’s new council works to address obstacles to small business loans, and his voice will help bring attention to the challenges faced by many of the more than 33,000 small business hotels in the U.S., which account for more than half of the nation’s hotels.”

The SBA formed the SBLAC under the Federal Advisory Committee Act in April. Council members provide advice on access to capital, support for U.S. entrepreneurs, evaluation of SBA loan programs to identify opportunities and barriers, identification of gaps in underserved markets and promotion of broader participation in SBA programs by U.S. lenders.

“Efficient and cost-effective access to capital is an imperative for small business hoteliers across the country who want to make improvements to their properties, expand their operations to serve guests and their employees, and realize appreciation on their investment over time,” said Carey. “I’m honored to take on this new responsibility, and eager to help SBA identify and reduce lending barriers for everyone in our great industry.”

Carey has served as AHLA’s COO since 2017, leading initiatives that contributed to the association’s growth. He has been interim president and CEO since March, following the departure of longtime head William “Chip” Rogers, who stepped down to pursue other professional interests. The association recently appointed Maiette as its president and CEO.