A SEAMLESS navigation between the human touch of hospitality and the precision of financial stewardship defines the leadership style of Tina Patel – an approach that has transformed Promise Hotels from a fledgling enterprise into a $150 million hospitality powerhouse.
As owner and Chief Financial Officer of Promise Hotels in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tina embodies a rare combination: razor-sharp business acumen paired with deep community commitment. While many executives might focus solely on the bottom line, Tina's vision extends far beyond profit margins to embrace both people and place.
And this philosophy has guided her 25-year journey through the hospitality industry, a path marked by consistent growth and remarkable resilience.
Few would have predicted that a University of Missouri biology graduate with a chemistry minor would become one of Tulsa's most influential business leaders. Yet Tina's analytical mind, honed through scientific training, proved perfectly suited for navigating financial complexities.
Her early career reveals a pattern: taking struggling operations and steering them toward stability. Before claiming her current position in 2008, Tina methodically climbed the hospitality ladder – from desk associate at Best Western Inn & Suites to front office manager at Days Inn West, then to assistant general manager at Best Western Sand Springs, and finally to comptroller at Frontier Hotels Management Group.
These experiences provided her with ground-level insights into hotel operations that would later inform her executive decision-making. They also revealed her talent for financial turnarounds, as she consistently reduced debt and improved performance, including revitalizing a $10 million organization that had been struggling.
Today, Promise Hotels stands as a testament to Tina's vision and execution. Co-owned with her husband Paresh Patel, who serves as President and CEO, the company owns seven properties comprising over 716 rooms. Their portfolio includes franchised brands owned by hospitality giants Hilton, International Hotels Group, Hyatt Hotels, and Marriott International.
What distinguishes Promise Hotels isn't just its impressive asset value but its organizational culture. In an industry known for high turnover, Tina has fostered remarkable stability – nearly a dozen employees have remained with the company for 15-20 years, an achievement she considers as important as any financial milestone.
Perhaps the most revealing chapter in Tina's leadership story came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the hospitality industry faced unprecedented challenges. While competitors faltered, Tina implemented strategic financial measures that not only ensured survival but positioned Promise Hotels for future growth.
She managed to maintain core operations while developing innovative approaches to guest safety and financial sustainability.
Her pandemic response extended beyond business considerations. When community members faced homelessness during this turbulent period, Tina quietly arranged accommodation in her properties – a gesture that epitomizes her belief that hospitality extends beyond paying guests.
Born on April 23, 1972, this Gujarati American leader has built an influence that radiates far beyond her company. Her expertise has earned her positions on numerous prestigious boards, including the Philbrook Museum of Art, Regent Bank and the Tulsa Regional Chamber. Perhaps most notably, from 2020 to 2021, she chaired the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City – OKC Branch.
When Oklahoma faced the daunting task of economic recovery in 2020, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Tina to the Committee to Reopen the State, recognizing her unique perspective on balancing economic and public health considerations.
Her advocacy for women in business – particularly in male-dominated fields like hospitality ownership – has been consistent and effective. Her 2022 appointment to the City of Tulsa Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women formalized this long-standing commitment to gender equity in business leadership.
The industry has taken notice of Tina's contributions, honoring her with accolades including the 2013 AAHOA Women Hotelier of the Year. In 2019, she received both the Key to the City of Tulsa from Mayor GT Bynum and was named Tulsan of the Year by Tulsa World – recognition that speaks to her impact on both her industry and community.
She is a 2006 graduate of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Certified Hotel Operators Program. She has furthered her professional development through certifications such as the CORE Certification from Choice Hotel International.
Active in the industry bodies, she served as the AAHOA CMW Regional Ambassador and was a member of the AAHOA Women’s Committee. From 2012 to 2014, she participated in the AAHOA Finance & Audit Committee. She was a member of the American Hotel and Lodging Association Financial Committee from 2017 to 2019.
Despite her professional commitments, Tina maintains that her most important role is as mother to her sons, Jaden, 22, and Talen, 20. She credits this perspective with keeping her leadership grounded in what matters most: creating sustainable systems that benefit both businesses and people.
As she walks through her hotels today, Tina Patel embodies the promise reflected in her company's name – a promise of excellence, community engagement, and opportunity. Through financial wizardry, strategic vision, and genuine care for others, she has built much more than a successful business enterprise. She has created a model for leadership that balances profit with purpose and numbers with narratives – a legacy that extends far beyond balance sheets.
