- AHLA named Davidson’s Thom Geshay board chair.
- Summit’s Stanner, IHG’s Bulley named vice chair, secretary-treasurer.
- Preferred’s Woodley, Hyatt’s Rohman named board members.
Thom Geshay, Davidson Hospitality Group CEO and president, is named chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association board. Jon Stanner, Summit Hotel Properties president and chief executive officer, will serve as vice chair.
Jolyon Bulley, IHG Hotels & Resorts chief executive officer of the Americas, will serve as secretary-treasurer effective July 1, AHLA said in a statement.
“Thom, Jon, and Jolyon are influential industry leaders with proven track records of delivering results for our industry,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and chief executive officer. “Their guidance will be instrumental as we push for meaningful solutions to address workforce challenges, drive increased travel demand and support all segments of AHLA’s membership.”
Geshay succeeds Liam Brown, Marriott International Group president, U.S. and Canada, who will retire from the company this month after nearly four decades of service, the statement said. Brown advanced the franchising business model, supported workforce development and advocated for the industry’s No Room for Trafficking initiative.
Geshay spent four decades in leadership roles at Davidson Hospitality Group, AHLA said. He has held corporate- and property-level executive positions in business development and acquisitions, operations, food and beverage, sales and marketing, and organizational strategy. Before becoming chief executive officer, Geshay served as president and chief operating officer.
Geshay said he is honored to serve as chair at a pivotal time for the industry.
“In addition to Liam Brown being an exceptional Chair and cohort, he’s also a longtime friend, and I’m grateful for his leadership and partnership,” he said. “I began my hospitality career at a young age as a bellman and went on to gain hands-on experience across all facets of hotel operations, management and real estate. My journey in this industry has given me a unique perspective on what makes it so special and the meaningful opportunities it creates. I’m looking forward to working closely with Rosanna and the AHLA team to support our industry and the people who make it extraordinary.”
Stanner joined Summit in 2017, the association said. Before becoming president and chief executive officer, he served as chief financial officer and chief investment officer. He also serves on the AHLA board of directors, the AC Hotels by Marriott Brand Council and the Hyatt owners’ advisory council.
Bulley oversees growth, profitability and operations across IHG’s 21 brands in its largest region, the statement said. He previously served as IHG’s chief operating officer for the Americas, leading operations across franchised and managed hotels.
The association also named Michelle Woodley Preferred Travel Group president and Adam Rohman, Hyatt Hotels Corp.’s head of the Americas, to its board of directors.
AHLA recently cited franchising regulations, staffing shortages and operating costs as challenges for the hospitality industry. The association urged Congress to pass the American Franchise Act to codify the joint employer standard and preserve the franchise model.
