Hotelier to be Association Chair in 2015
Washington, D.C., 2012-11-13 — /travelprnews.com/ — The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has elected Jim Abrahamson, CEO, Interstate Hotels and Resorts, as incoming secretary/treasurer of the AH&LA board of directors. Active with AH&LA at the state and national levels since the 1980s and a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA), Abrahamson will serve as association chair in 2015.
Abrahamson has more 30 years of experience in the hotel industry, beginning with the General Hotels Corporation and Embassy Suites, Inc. He went on to hold senior management positions with Hilton Hotels Corporation, The Marcus Corporation, Hyatt Corporation, and InterContinental Hotels Group. In his current role, he is responsible for Interstate’s overall performance and global growth of its management portfolio, and he serves as an executive director on the company’s board of directors.
Abrahamson serves as chair of the AH&LA CEO Council and is a member of the Governmental Affairs and HotelPAC Committee. Additionally, he is first vice chair of the U.S. Travel Association and will serve as chair beginning in mid-2013. He is also chair of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra board of directors.
“Jim has played key roles in the growth and success of a number of the world’s leading hotel brands,” said AH&LA President/CEO Joe McInerney, CHA. “His depth of experience will significantly benefit all aspects of AH&LA as we continue to meet the needs of our ever-changing industry.”
In addition to Abrahamson, 2013 AH&LA officers include Chair Ron Vlasic, regional vice president of hotels, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants; Vice Chair John Fitzpatrick, president/CEO of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group; and Immediate Past Chair Nancy Johnson, executive vice president, Carlson Rezidor. These hoteliers are led by AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA.
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Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom-line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.