Ed Brock is an award-winning journalist who has worked for various U.S. newspapers and magazines, including with American City & County magazine, a national publication based in Atlanta focused on city and county government issues. He is currently assistant editor at Asian Hospitality magazine, the top U.S. publication for Asian American hoteliers. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Ed began his career in journalism in the early 1990s as a reporter for a chain of weekly newspapers in Baldwin County, Alabama. After a stint teaching English in Japan, Ed returned to the U.S. and moved to the Atlanta area where he returned to journalism, coming to work at Asian Hospitality in 2016.
DURING HIS LIFE and career, Jayanti P. “J.P.” Rama touched a lot of lives and inspired people on all levels of the hospitality industry. Below are tributes from some of Rama’s many friends and colleagues, as well as two of his brothers, following his death on Thursday.
Hasmukh “H.P.” Rama, brother
“My bother JP was man of principle and in his own way he pursued what he strongly believed in.
He was man of tremendous courage and stood up for a number of causes, many of which he made his life’s mission. He was, like a coconut : from outside he appeared tough but inside was very soft and willing to accommodate anyone and do the right thing at the right time.
He was a great entrepreneur who willingly learned all trades of the hospitality business, be it technology, understanding all aspects of the construction process or absorbing or financial information.
He was passionate about his active engagement to make AAHOA great. His entrepreneurial spirit shone through early, starting a business at the age of 18 in Malawi Africa after which he joined me in the motel business in 1974 in Pomona California where we grew the business owning multiple hotels in the South East. Despite his huge success, no task was beneath him and he was never shameful to make beds or conduct repairs in our hotels. He had a canny ability to grasp and understand all aspects of the business, even those he is not earlier exposed to.’
Raman “R.P.” Rama, brother
“It is difficult to fill the void my brother has left behind in our lives, but we surely will cherish the memories he has left behind. We are helpless in the hands of God's will and have to face such crude realities of life. Death is so very certain for everyone, but it comes at so uncertain times that we sometimes feel regrets of not being able to do what we wanted to do. With that, we learn that in our lives, we have to live in the present moment and fulfill our duties and responsibilities. Also, we must enjoy the fruits of our hard work but not lose our quality time with those close to us.
Please pray for the departed soul of my brother. He was hard like a coconut from outside but very soft like the pulp inside. He loved meeting people and would find one or the other social connection. He had a very good network. God Speed.”
Fred Schwartz, past AAHOA president, chief sales officer, Creative Lending Solutions Corp.
“When I joined AAHOA in 1996, J.P. Rama was the incoming AAHOA chairman who welcomed me. Very soon after, J.P. and I were invited by Stephen Bollenbach, CEO of Hilton Hotels Corp., to visit the Hilton headquarters in Beverly Hills, California. Mr. Bollenbach was excited for us to view the soon to be launched prototype of the Hilton Garden Inn. He spoke with great pride of the design of his new product, and asked J.P. for his input. J.P., in his humble but insightful and knowledgeable way, mesmerized Mr. Bollenbach with numerous design suggestions. I often think of how impressed Mr. Bollenbach was by J.P.’s suggestions, and how I am still impressed by the talent, humility and gifts that J.P. possessed.
Fred Schwartz, past AAHOA president, chief sales officer, Creative Lending Solutions Corp., said J.P. Rama “connected with and urged young people to follow in their parents’ footsteps” and was a strong promoter of AAHOA.
J.P. worked diligently to build AAHOA. He shared AAHOA’s vision with so many people. He traveled constantly to AAHOA meetings, and communicated with current and future stakeholders of AAHOA, to help build and strengthen the association. He worked with pride and tireless efforts to build AAHOA’s membership. He was always busy raising AAHOA’s awareness in the vendor and franchisor community, educating them about the dynamism of AAHOA and its membership. He connected with and urged young people to follow in their parents’ footsteps, to bring the hotel journey of entrepreneurship to an even more impressive level.
I will miss our industry icon, and a man I was proud to call my friend.”
Mit Shah, CEO of Noble Investment Group, and Bharat Shah, former AAHOA chairman
“On a warm August day in 1995, my dear friend, D.J. Rama, and I were l sitting together when we saw our fathers walking toward us. At the time, Dad and J.P. uncle were helping lead a brand new AAHOA. Most kids would agree that having your fathers approach you with such purpose is more than a little intimidating, and so D.J. and I both immediately stood up with attention. J.P. Uncle proceeded to put his arms around the both of us and, with his wry smile and warm embrace, looked at these two eager, impressionable young men and said, ‘Guys, you make us very proud. You are our future.’
What J.P. Uncle was really saying was that he hoped that the hard work and sacrifices of their generation would lead to tremendous opportunity for ours.
Mit Shah, CEO of Noble Investment Group, right, and Bharat Shah, former AAHOA chairman, left, said Rama was “a man of family, faith, industry, and purpose.”
Today, D.J., me, and an entire community and industry made up of sons and daughters stand here on the shoulders of giants like J.P. Uncle.
I had the honor of having Maya Angelou as my college professor. One of her most important messages was that people will always remember how you made them feel. J.P. Uncle will be remembered by all of us who loved him as a man of family, faith, industry, and purpose. But for me, on that summer day many, many years ago and throughout my life’s journey, I will always treasure the way I felt in J.P. Uncle's presence. God bless his beautiful soul. Jai Shree Krishna.”
Danny Patel, CEO, PeachState Hospitality
“A father figure to an industry, a pioneer of perseverance, and a humanitarian of the highest quality, J.P. Rama led an incredible life. Those of us fortunate enough to know him are blessed in more ways than one. His guidance and vision have inspired countless, in and around the hospitality industry. During my tenure at AAHOA I was able to see first-hand the legacy that J.P. was leaving. The decisions he made and the actions he took at a time when the industry and the Asian American community needed it the most, continues to define a generation of hospitality leaders.
Danny Patel, CEO, PeachState Hospitality took action at a time when the hospitality industry and Asian American community most needed it.
His impact on the industry will surely last the test of time however his work and passion for education will bear fruits for many generations to come. Over the years I was able to see the growth and momentum of Auro University and what it has become. The lives that JP has helped change, myself included, owe a great deal to him and the work he has done. I am saddened of the loss of J.P. but am comforted with knowing the work he did and the life he lived will carry on. Thank you, J.P. and the entire Rama Family, for all that you have done and given. JP, may you rest in peace and harmony.”
Mitch Patel, president and CEO, Vision Hospitality Group
“J.P. Rama’s story is one of the American Dream and an inspiration to all. J.P. Rama and his family are pioneers in the Asian American community. They were one of the first in our community to enter the hotel business in the Southeast with the purchase of a small independent motel. Within decades they took that small business and created a hotel empire and in doing so, showed many what this community is capable of with determination and hard work. He and his family have inspired and assisted so many others.
Later, when J.P. Uncle was the chairman of AAHOA, I was a 27-year-old dreaming about starting my own hotel company. I looked up to him as an idol, and I know many others that have gone on to lead successful entrepreneurial careers did as well. He was always so personable, generous, and supportive of young people starting out in the industry.
Mitch Patel, president and CEO, Vision Hospitality Group, with J.P. Rama, far right, Patel’s father Ishwarlal Patel, far left and H.P. Rama, left, and others at Auro University in Surat, India, that the Rama family built. They are joined by J.P.’s grandson Satya, left front, and Patel’s son Arjun.
His passing invokes many of those memories and his legacy of how he touched and inspired so many will live on. D.J. is one of my closest friends and J.P. Uncle’s passing hits especially close to home. Our family is sending our thoughts, prayers, and love to the Rama family.
A quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson embodies what I feel J.P. Uncle’s impact was, and what his legacy will be: ‘Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’ Thank you, J.P. Uncle, for having the strength and courage to blaze a trail for so many others to follow. You will be missed as one of the greatest leaders and individuals that this generation has ever known.”
Ravi Patel, president of Hawkeye Hotels
“When I think of J.P. Rama, I remember not only a visionary, titan of industry, and cultural leader, but also a helper whose good deeds most certainly kept him close to the Divine.
Ravi Patel, president of Hawkeye Hotels said Rama was “an example for us all and he embodied some of the highest virtues.”
When I was just starting out in the hospitality business, J.P. took some time to visit with me personally. He talked about how proud he was of my generation, how proud he was to see us carrying on family legacies, growing successful businesses and elevating our people into a privileged class here in America. But he left me and my peers with a most important charge: to ensure that as we experience such fortunate growth, we measure our success against our service to others. Our financial gains would never be more important than our investments in others, especially in those who are less fortunate. That was the thing he really wanted me to understand.
He was an example for us all and he embodied some of the highest virtues. His life was a masterclass on how to treat everyone with respect, how to care for one another, as we care for ourselves, and how to plant seeds of hope into future generations. There is no hand to catch time. We must all leave this earth one day. While we’re here, may we strive to emulate JP’s legacy of generosity, fierceness of heart, and strength of vision.”
The Trump administration says it is reviewing more than 55 million visa holders.
Reviews cover a wide range of visas for law enforcement and overstay violations.
The administration also suspended worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION is reviewing more than 55 million people who hold valid U.S. visas for potential violations. It is expanding a policy of “continuous vetting” that could result in revocation and deportation.
The State Department confirmed all visa holders are subject to ongoing review, which includes checking for overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety or ties to terrorism. Should violations be found, visas may be revoked, and holders in the U.S. could face deportation, according to the Associated Press.
Officials said the reviews will include monitoring of visa holders’ social media accounts, law enforcement records and immigration files. New rules also require applicants to disable privacy settings on phones and apps during interviews. The department noted visa revocations since President Trump’s return to office have more than doubled compared to the previous year, including nearly four times as many student visas.
The administration also announced an immediate halt on issuing worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio citing road safety and competition concerns for U.S. truckers.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio posted on X.
The Transportation Department linked the move to recent enforcement of English-language proficiency requirements for truckers, aimed at improving safety. The State Department later said it was pausing visa processing while it reviewed screening protocols.
Critics, including Edward Alden of the Council on Foreign Relations, warned the actions could have significant economic consequences.
“The goal here is not to target specific classes of workers, but to send the message to American employers that they are at risk if they are employing foreign workers,” Alden wrote, according to AP.
Data from the Department of Homeland Security shows there are 12.8 million green card holders and 3.6 million temporary visa holders in the United States. The 55 million figure under review includes many outside the U.S. with valid multiple-entry tourist visas.
Earlier this week, the State Department reported revoking more than 6,000 student visas for violations since Trump returned to office, including around 200 to 300 for terrorism-related issues.
The vast majority of foreign visitors require visas to enter the U.S., with exceptions granted to citizens of 40 countries under the Visa Waiver Program, primarily in Europe and Asia. Citizens of China, India, Russia and most of Africa remain subject to visa requirements.
A $250 Visa Integrity Fee in President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill drew criticism from groups that rely on seasonal workers from Latin America and Asia on J-1 and other visas.
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Peachtree Group originated a $176.5 million retroactive CPACE loan for a Las Vegas property.
The deal closed in under 60 days and ranks among the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.
The company promotes retroactive CPACE funding for commercial real estate development.
PEACHTREE GROUP ORIGINATED a $176.5 million retroactive Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy loan for Dreamscape Cos.’s Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The deal, completed in under 60 days, is its largest credit transaction and one of the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.
The 2,520-room Rio, now under the Destinations by Hyatt brand, was renovated in 2024 and comprises two hotel towers connected by a casino, restaurants and retail, Peachtree said in a statement.
“This transaction is a milestone for Peachtree Group and a testament to the ecosystem we have built over the past 18 years,” said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's managing principal and CEO. “Through our vertically integrated platform, deep expertise and disciplined approach, we have developed the infrastructure to be a leader in private credit. Our ability to deliver speed, creativity and certainty of execution positions us to provide capital solutions that create value for our investors and partners across market cycles.”
Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by Friedman; Jatin Desai as managing principal and CFO and Mitul Patel as principal.
The CPACE loan retroactively funded the renovations, allowing the owners to pay down their senior loan, the statement said. The property improvement plan included exterior work, upgrades to the central heating and cooling plant, electrical infrastructure improvements and convention center renovations.
Jared Schlosser, Peachtree’s head of originations and CPACE, said the deal marks an inflection point, with major financial institutions consenting to its use for the benefit of the capital stack.
“By closing quickly on a marquee hospitality asset, we were able to strengthen the position of both the owner and its lenders,” he said.
The CPACE market has surpassed $10 billion in U.S. originations in just over a decade, according to the C-PACE Alliance, with growth expected as more institutional owners and lenders adopt it.
“We see significant opportunity for retroactive CPACE and its use in funding new commercial real estate development,” Schlosser said. “It is an alternative to more expensive forms of capital.”
In June, Peachtree named Schlosser head of originations for all real estate and hotel lending and leader of its CPACE program. Peachtree recently launched a $250 million fund to invest in hotel and commercial real estate assets mispriced by capital market illiquidity.
Spark acquired the 120-key Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne in Wayne, New Jersey.
Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the transaction with DC Hospitality Group affiliates.
The 2020-built hotel is near William Paterson University and less than 20 miles from Manhattan.
SPARK GHC RECENTLY acquired the 120-key Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne in Wayne, New Jersey, from affiliates of DC Hospitality Group. Hunter Hotel Advisors facilitated the deal for an undisclosed amount.
The 2020-built hotel is less than 20 miles from Manhattan in a commercial corridor with major employers including Driscoll Foods, FedEx Group, Advanced Biotech, St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital, and the Passaic County Administration, Hunter said in a statement. William Paterson University, Willowbrook Mall, and MetLife Stadium are also nearby.
It features an on-site fitness center, business center and indoor pool.
“The Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne represents the type of asset we target,” said Patel. “Its proximity to major corporate demand generators, higher education institutions, and retail and entertainment venues supports strong performance.”
Hunter’s senior vice presidents, David Perrin and Spencer Davidson, brokered the transaction.
Patel said this is their second transaction with Hunter and praised the process and partnership.
“We look forward to building on the hotel’s recent performance and continuing to deliver guest experiences in the Greater New York City community,” he said.
Northstar Hotels Management recently acquired a 78-key Residence Inn and an 81-key Courtyard near the Jacksonville, Florida, airport.
Global pipeline hit a record 15,871 projects with 2.4 million rooms in Q2.
The U.S. leads with 6,280 projects; Dallas tops cities with 199.
Nearly 2,900 hotels are expected to open worldwide by the end of 2025.
THE GLOBAL HOTEL pipeline reached 15,871 projects, up 3 percent year-over-year, and 2,436,225 rooms, up 2 percent, according to Lodging Econometrics. Most were upper midscale and upscale, LE reported.
The U.S. leads with 6,280 projects and 737,036 rooms, 40 percent of the global total. Dallas leads cities with 199 projects and 24,497 rooms, the highest on record.
LE’s Q2 2025 Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report showed 6,257 projects with 1,086,245 rooms under construction worldwide, unchanged in project count and down 3 percent in rooms from last year. Projects scheduled to start in the next 12 months totaled 3,870 with 551,188 rooms, down 3 percent in projects but up 1 percent in rooms. Early planning reached 5,744 projects and 798,792 rooms, up 10 percent in projects and 9 percent in rooms year-over-year.
Upper midscale and upscale hotels accounted for 52 percent of the global pipeline, LE said. Upper midscale stood at 4,463 projects and 567,396 rooms, while upscale reached 3,852 projects and 655,674 rooms. Upper upscale totaled 1,807 projects and 385,396 rooms, and luxury totaled 1,267 projects and 245,665 rooms, up 11 percent year-over-year.
In the first half of 2025, 970 hotels with 138,168 rooms opened worldwide. Another 1,884 hotels with 280,079 rooms are scheduled to open before year-end, for a 2025 total of 2,854 hotels and 418,247 rooms. LE projects 2,531 hotels with 382,942 rooms to open in 2026 and 2,554 hotels with 382,282 rooms to open globally in 2027, the first time a forecast has been issued for that year.
HAMA is accepting submissions for its 20th annual student case competition.
The cases reflect a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.
Teams must submit a financial analysis, solution and executive summary.
THE HOSPITALITY ASSET Managers Association is accepting submissions for the 20th Annual HAMA Student Case Competition, in which more than 60 students analyze a management company change scenario and provide recommendations. HAMA, HotStats and Lodging Analytics Research & Consulting are providing the case, based on a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.
Student teams must prepare a financial analysis, a recommended solution and an executive summary for board review, HAMA said in a statement.
“Each year, the education committee looks forward to the solutions that the next generation of hotel asset managers bring, applying their own experiences to issues in ways that reveal new directions,” said Adam Tegge, HAMA Education Committee chair. “This competition demonstrates that the future of hotel asset management is in good hands.”
The two winning teams will each receive a $5,000 prize and an invitation to the spring 2026 HAMA conference in Washington, D.C. HAMA will cover travel and lodging.
Twenty industry executives on the HAMA education committee will evaluate submissions based on presentation quality, the statement said. HAMA mentors volunteer from September through November to assist teams seeking feedback and additional information. Schools will select finalists by Jan. 15, with graduate and undergraduate teams reviewed separately.
The competition has addressed topics in operating and owning hospitality assets and HAMA consulted university professors to update the format for situations students may encounter after graduation, the statement said.
This year’s participants include University of Denver, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Boston University, Florida International University, Michigan State University, Columbia University, Morgan State University, Howard University, New York University and Penn State University.