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.
Denise Kauble is now director of asset management for Noble Investment Group. Also, Melissa Blankson is the new real estate paralegal for the Atlanta-based company, led by Mit Shah as CEO.
Kauble previously was regional director of sales and marketing and area general manager for McKibbon Hospitality where she oversaw sales for the East Coast. In her new role, she will be responsible for working with third-party management organizations and on-property leadership of Noble-owned assets.
“Denise’s experience and industry knowledge complement Noble’s abilities to maximize revenues and drive performance in our hotels,” said Noble principal Steven Nicholas.
Blankson previously worked for Cox Enterprises. She has more than sixteen years of legal, risk analysis, and credit underwriting experience in the commercial real estate industry. Blankson will be Noble’s liaison with external counsel on various legal and transactional matters.
“Melissa is an outstanding addition to our capital markets and investment management team,” said Noble principal Adi Bhoopathy. “Her wealth of knowledge and experience will help to enhance Noble’s endeavors to preserve and grow our limited partners’ capital.”
In January, Noble made three new appointments to its senior management lineup. They are Ben Brunt as chief investment officer, Jim Conley as chief compliance officer, and George Dabney as chief financial officer, and all three are principals, too.
Mustafa’s 25-Year Experience in Hospitality Leadership
Amir Mustafa is the new CEO of B&B Hotels USA, a European budget hotel firm. He succeeds Valerio Duchini, who was recently appointed CEO of Western Europe.
Before joining B&B Hotels USA, Mustafa held leadership roles at Extended Stay America and served as senior vice president of operations at Aimbridge Hospitality, B&B said in a statement.
"With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Amir Mustafa is known for his ability to promote operational excellence, optimize revenue, and ensure customer satisfaction," said Fabrice Collet, B&B Hotels Group's chairman. "We are delighted to welcome him to B&B Hotels to help develop our brand across the Atlantic. We are confident he will integrate into the culture and values of B&B Hotels and contribute to our future success."
The France-based chain aims to grow in the expanding American market, the statement said. Mustafa's arrival will be key to strengthening the brand's U.S. development and renovating the group's five hotels to ensure customer satisfaction. The company currently has three hotels in Florida, located in Jacksonville, Orlando and Miami Springs.
Goldman Sachs has been B&B Hotels' main shareholder since 2019.
Meanwhile, European travel to the U.S. fell amid tensions over border security and visa revocations during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
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Penn State & BU Take Top Honors in HAMA’s 2024 Case Competition
THE HOSPITALITY ASSET Managers Association named Penn State’s undergraduate team and Boston University’s graduate team as winners of its 19th Annual Student Case Competition. The winning teams each received $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to HAMA’s Spring Conference to network with leading hotel asset managers.
The teams were chosen from a field that included students from the University of Denver, Cornell University, Florida International University and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, HAMA said in a statement.
“It amazes me that 19 years into the HAMA Student Competition, the entire committee continues to be impressed with the fresh ideas and perspectives presented by the next generation of hotel asset managers every single time,” said Adam Tegge, HAMA education committee chair. “Their entry into the world of hospitality asset management portends a bright future for our industry. We look forward to hosting them in Boston during our Spring Conference.”
The winning teams consisted of:
Boston University (Graduate)
Rishabh Sharma – Master’s degree in Hospitality Real Estate
Eva “Jinyi” Li – Master’s degree in Hospitality Management
Albina Zhangirova – Master’s degree in Hospitality
Penn State University (Undergraduate)
Logan Prendergast – Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management
Andrew Heiland – Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management
Students were presented with a case study featuring a fictitious, underperforming hotel in Boston, the statement said. Their task was to recommend a “survival action plan” to restore profitability or face a sale. They could choose from four options: adding a conference center, a health facility, redesigning F&B outlets, or proposing their own solution. With guidance from 10 HAMA members and university professors, participants developed a board presentation outlining their recommendation, supporting narrative, and business case analysis.
Penn State’s winning plan included a full renovation of all F&B outlets and a new meeting facility. Boston University’s strategy focused on including a rooftop bar, relocating the restaurant, closing the cocktail lounge and converting the coffee shop into a fitness area.
"The HAMA Competition provided a great platform for us to share our vision toward a case that could have easily been a real-life hotel; it made us think through different scenarios and offered a steep learning curve,” said BU’s Rishabh Sharma. “Speaking to industry professionals and getting mentored by an excellent asset manager was really helpful throughout the process.”
Penn State students were advised by John O’Neill, professor and director of the university’s Hospitality Real Estate Strategy Group, while Boston University students were guided by Kaushik Vardharajan, associate professor and director of BU’s hospitality real estate program.
“Through this competition, I gained deeper insight into asset optimization, financial performance analysis and the complexities of hotel investments,” said Penn State’s Andrew Heiland. “This experience has reinforced my passion for real estate and asset management within the hospitality industry, and I look forward to further developing my expertise in this field.”
In its Fall 2024 Industry Outlook Survey, HAMA found that demand, wage growth, and ADR increases remain top concerns, with 82 percent not expecting a recession in 2025 and 58 percent planning brand or management changes as a strategy.
MARK HOPLAMAZIAN, PRESIDENT and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp., will join Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree Group, for a fireside chat at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference on March 19. Hunter introduced this format last year with Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, as the featured guest.
In “A Conversation with Mark Hoplamazian,” he will share insights on his hospitality career, leadership approach, Hyatt's market position, company outlook and industry developments, Hunter said in a statement.
“At Hyatt, business is personal—relationships, trust, and a deep understanding of our guests, customers, and owners are at the heart of everything we do,” said Hoplamazian. “In today’s competitive landscape, hotel performance is driven by the human connections that shape our industry. That’s why we collaborate closely with owners and operators like Peachtree Group to create long-term value for their investments.”
Friedman said Hunter has long been a key forum for industry leaders to discuss hospitality's future.
“Having the opportunity to sit down with Mark and explore Hyatt's strategic vision, its differentiation in the market, and broader industry trends will be invaluable for attendees," he said. "This conversation will provide insights into how ownership and brand strategies align in today's evolving landscape.”
Hoplamazian joined the Hyatt board of directors in November 2006 and became president and CEO in December 2006, the statement said. Previously, he was president of The Pritzker Organization, LLC, advising Pritzker family businesses, including Hyatt. Before that, he worked in international mergers and acquisitions at The First Boston Corporation in New York.
“HUNTER is known for its close-knit environment, and this fireside chat reflects that,” said Lee Hunter, conference chairman. “It brings together brand and ownership perspectives, offering insights that resonate with attendees.”
Hoplamazian also serves on the Executive Committees of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the World Travel & Tourism Council. He is also a member of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago and co-chairs its Public Safety Task Force.
LendingCon 2025 also returns Aug. 19-20 at Renaissance Seaworld Orlando, gathering hospitality investors, lenders, developers, and industry leaders for networking and collaboration.
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Photo credit: American Hotel & Lodging Association
Who Is Kevin Carey, New AHLA Foundation CEO in 2025?
KEVIN CAREY, CHIEF operating officer and senior vice president of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, is now president and CEO of AHLA Foundation. He will remain AHLA’s chief operating officer while succeeding Anna Blue, who announced her departure in February after two years.
The announcement follows the Foundation’s Night of a Thousand Stars fundraiser, which gathered more than 400 industry leaders and raised more than $1 million for its initiatives, AHLA said in a statement.
“Now more than ever, the foundation’s programs and initiatives will play a vital role in advancing the hospitality industry and amplifying opportunities for its people,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA’s president and CEO. “Kevin is one of the industry’s most respected and seasoned leaders and a strong advocate of the AHLA Foundation and its team. I couldn’t think of a better person to lead the foundation given his experience in designing and securing funding support for broad-based industry initiatives.”
Carey, AHLA’s chief operating officer since 2017, has led initiatives supporting the association’s growth. He became interim president and CEO in March after William “Chip” Rogers stepped down to pursue other interests.
Anu Saxena, president of Hilton Supply Management and chair of the AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees, said Kevin has been instrumental in the association’s growth and a key partner in the foundation’s progress since its inception.
“On behalf of the officers and the board of trustees, we look forward to collaborating with Kevin as we embark on the next phase of the foundation’s transformation,” Saxena said.
Over the past two years under Blue’s leadership, the foundation expanded its team and increased the visibility of programs, including ForWard.
“I am thrilled to take on this new role and continue the important work of the AHLA Foundation,” said Carey. “The foundation plays a critical role in securing the future of our industry by developing its people, by creating communities underpinned by access and opportunity, and by raising awareness of the many pathways to rewarding hospitality careers. I look forward to working with our dedicated team to expand our collective impact, broaden industry engagement, and develop programs that welcome and support both current and future hospitality professionals.”
Before joining AHLA, Carey spent more than 25 years at American Express, leading global business groups. He also served on the Industry Advisory Board for the Penn State School of Hospitality Management.
In November, Carey joined the Small Business Administration's Small Business Lending Advisory Council to support capital access for small businesses, including those in underserved communities.
Lallani & Fan Recognized for Lifetime Excellence in Hospitality at CLIC
Dorraine Lallani, senior director of asset management at Westmont Hospitality Group, and Joseph Fan, president of Brighton Management, will receive a lifetime achievement award from the California Lodging Investment Conference. They will be honored at the Westin Long Beach on March 5 to 6.
Lallani, former senior vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, specializes in hotel acquisitions, due diligence, franchise relations and asset dispositions. Fan founded Brighton Management in 1994, serving Los Angeles, San Diego and Northern California, CLIC said in a statement.
“Dorraine and Joseph have already made lasting impressions in the California hospitality industry, and we look forward to their continued contributions,” said Craig Sullivan, CLIC’s founder and president. “From managing more than 500 hotels worldwide for Westmont Hospitality to founding a leading property management firm in Greater Los Angeles, both have forged respected careers in California.”
Lallani managed a portfolio of select- and full-service hotels, handling properties from $2 million to more than $50 million and overseeing franchise development. Fan supports nonprofits, including the Special Olympics and Give Kids the World Foundation, and serves on the boards of the Taiwanese Hotel & Motel Association of Southern California and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Advisory Board.
CLIC is offering final reduced pricing of $650 through March 4, the statement said. The door price will be $750.
James Risoleo, president and CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts, will headline the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference on March 20.