Washington, DC, United States, 2013-11-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has elected Mark Carrier, CHA, president of the B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group, as incoming secretary/treasurer of the AH&LA board of directors.
The B. F. Saul Company, founded in 1892, is a privately-held diversified real estate concern based in the Washington, D.C. region. The Hospitality Group owns and operates a portfolio of business class hotels, which are primarily affiliated with Intercontinental Hotels Group, Marriott, and Hilton, as well as The Hay-Adams, one of the nation’s finest hotels.
Carrier’s leadership responsibilities include strategic direction, overall operational leadership, acquisition and development of properties, long term financial, and capital planning, along with the development and implementation of corporate policies, procedures, and management systems. Carrier joined the B. F. Saul Company following graduation in 1980 from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. He progressed to his current senior position following a career of growing responsibility with the organization that included onsite management, regional responsibilities, as well as development and acquisition of hotels.
A member since 2005, Carrier serves as a member of the AH&LA Governmental Affairs Committee, which focuses on the legislative issues facing the hotel industry. He also served on the AH&LA Strategic Planning Committee, the AH&LA Funding Task Force, and the AH&LA Search Committee.
Carrier is a member of the Cornell Hotel Society. He is a past chair of the IHG Owners Association, the global franchise owners association of Intercontinental Hotels Group. He currently serves as chairman of the Crowne Plaza brand Committee. He serves on Marriott’s Distribution Advisory Committee, Emerging Technology Advisory Group, as well as the SpringHill Suites Marketing Council. Carrier is the recipient of the 2013 Kemmons Wilson Service Award presented by the IHG Owners Association and the Spirit to Preserve Award by Marriott.
“Mark has been active in assisting the association to grow its voice and effectiveness on behalf of the industry,” said AH&LA President/CEO Katherine Lugar. “He was one of the key proponents of AH&LA’s new membership model, so we’re fortunate to have him on the front-lines during its implementation.”
In addition to Carrier, 2014 AH&LA officers include Chair John Fitzpatrick, president/CEO of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, and Jim Abrahamson, CHA, CEO, Interstate Hotels and Resorts.
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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.