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2021 Nomination Process & Candidate Profiles

Each candidate seeking to become an elected member of the Board of Directors shall comply with each of the qualifications set out in AAHOA Bylaws Art. V (2), the Election Governing Protocol, available in full on AAHOA.com > About Us > Governance & Forms. In pertinent part, eligible candidates shall:

Currently serve on an AAHOA committee, have served on an AAHOA committee for one (1) full term, or have served on a hospitality industry, hospitality brand, community service, or local business association committees and/or boards.
Be a paid member of AAHOA by April 1 in each of the two (2) years prior to the year of election and become a lifetime member on or before the nomination deadline.
Have resided in the designated region or division he/she seeks to represent for a period of not less than one year immediately prior to the election.
Have, or have had in the past 365 days, at least twenty percent (20%) combined partnership or ownership interest in one or multiple hotels.

Nominations for Secretary were due Oct. 1, 2020. All Secretary candidates shall either be an elected currently-serving Board member, or an outgoing Board member whose term expires on the day of elections. The nomination period for all other positions is open through June 7, 2021. Submit nominations here.

Candidates for Secretary

Chetan Patel

Mike (Mahendra) Patel, CHO, CHIA

Miraj S. Patel, MBA, CHO, CHIA

Miraj is a highly motivated second-generation hotelier, who is committed to AAHOA and dedicated to progress. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel and Lodging Management and his Master's in Business Administration from Johnson and Wales University. Miraj is President of Wayside Investment Group, which specializes in making opportunistic investments in the lodging and hospitality real estate sector. He has spoken at several prestigious and high-profile business, educational, social, and legislative conferences; while being recognized in various trade magazines. Miraj currently serves on the AAHOA Board as the Young Professional Director Western Division and has served on several committees: Convention, Education, and Independent Hotelier.

Despite his age, Miraj has exemplified a strong track record of leadership in the industry. His accolades and appointments include:

• 2018 AAHOA Outstanding YP Hotelier

• 2020 Hotel Management’s "Thirty Under 30"

• Red Roof Franchise Advisory Council

• Forbes Business Council

• University of Houston, Advisory Board

Candidates for Female Director Western Division

Tejal N. Patel

Jyoti Sarolia-Patel

Jyoti, is a third generation hotelier. Her family’s story began in 1957 when they purchased Alder Hotel in San Francisco. She learned, leadership is giving back to your community as her family had hosted so many new families as their first stop in the United States. She is support by her husband, her children, her mother and extended family to pursue her dreams. In her tenure, She's been able to serve as your AAHOA ambassador for the past six years. She has been elected as the first female Chair of a midscale owner’s association. She understands, as women we juggle with so many responsibilities. As your Female Director her goal is inspire, educate, advocate and for our members to hone on their strengths so they become a brighter hotelier. We can do it together!

Candidates for Gulf Regional Director

Vimal Patel

Change the leader, change the organization .

Candidates for Mid Atlantic Regional Director

Mahendra (MZ) Patel

MZ has purchased, developed, and managed hospitality properties in the east coast with his brother, CZ Patel over the past thirty years of his hotel career. He is actively involved with industry associations and has helped guide the growth and development of new initiatives. He was an ambassador for the Mid-Atlantic region of AAHOA and is currently serving as an active member of the AAHOA Franchise and Industry Relations Committee also in past serving Awards and Recognition & Education and Professional Development Committee. As the immediate past-President of ELFA, MZ created a novel approach to cross-pollinate ownership issues by creating cross-membership opportunities for ELFA and AAHOA members. MZ was instrumental in modernizing the signage and creating brand awareness, including the first-ever television advertising campaign. He also promoted the idea for Choice to recognize the CHO designation in place of management training and helped them convert training materials into the Guajarati.

Candidates for Mid South Regional Director

Harikrishna (HK) Patel

Candidates for North Pacific Regional Director

Alpesh Jivan

KP Patel

Candidates for Northeast Regional Director

Candidates for South Carolina Regional Director

Candidates for South Central Texas Regional Director

Candidates for Southeast Texas Regional Director

Candidates for Southwest Regional Director

Nimesh Dinubhai

I have over 21 years of experience in the hospitality industry. After moving here from Panama, I started with operating hotels and understanding the specific needs of hoteliers to be successful. I am running a hotel in Phoenix, AZ, and helping hoteliers to get more online bookings by creating custom websites. I am also an Ambassador for the past 10 years+ Southwest region of AAHOA. Whether it is running hotels or building websites, my passion is helping owners in the hospitality industry reach financial success. I also help hoteliers for getting the best pricing in local services. The goal is always looking for hoteliers to receive the best group pricing and protect their assets.

Candidates for South Pacific Regional Director

Mike Riverside, CHA, CHO

Candidates for Upper Midwest Regional Director