ATLANTA | The Owners’ Association of InterContinental Hotels Group (the IAHI) and InterContinental Hotels Group [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world’s most global hotel company, last week completed the first IAHI Leadership Institute, held August 23-25 at GE’s John F. Welch Leadership Development Center in Ossining, NY.

The Leadership Institute—a three-day, invitation-only leadership development program for franchisees and other representatives from IAHI member hotels and for InterContinental Hotels Group [IHG] executives—is the first of its kind in the hotel industry. The IAHI and IHG worked closely with GE Commercial Finance and the Leadership Development Center faculty to create the curriculum for the program,

themed, “Creating and Leading Winning Teams and Organizations.” The 24 members of the initial class were selected from among more than 90 applicants.

“The participants were chosen based on their demonstrated leadership ability and on their potential to effectively guide the future of The Owners Association, InterContinental Hotels Group and the hotel industry,” said David Shamoian, executive vice president of the Peabody Hotel Group and chairman of the IAHI Leadership Institute Task Force.

“We were pleased to provide this top-flight development program to allow these leaders to deepen their skills.”

Among the leadership-focused topics that comprised the curriculum were units on leadership styles, leading effective teams, collaborative problem solving and effective leadership of the hotel system.

“This first IAHI Leadership Institute class represented a cross-section of The Owners’ Association and the InterContinental Hotels Group system,” said Kirk Kinsell, senior vice president, Americas Franchising and Business Development. “In addition to providing invaluable training, the Leadership Institute creates a strong platform for ongoing, productive dialogue and teamwork among these leaders within our organizations.”

The members of this year’s IAHI Leadership Institute class are:

  • Jim Anhut, Senior Vice President, Brand Development, The Americas; InterContinental Hotels Group; Atlanta, GA
  • Jorge Apaez, Vice President & Managing Director, Mid Markets; InterContinental Hotels Group; Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Mark G. Carrier, Senior Vice President; B.F. Saul Company; Bethesda, MD
  • Mark Daley, President; Generation Companies; Durham, NC
  • Tim Genovese, Vice President, Hotel Performance Support, The Americas; InterContinental Hotels Group; Atlanta, GA
  • David P. Hart, President & CEO; Hart Hotels, Inc.; Buffalo, NY
  • Mike L. Hembree, Director, Operations & Development; Sooner Realty Ventures; Oklahoma City, OK
  • Michael C. Hoffman, President; Turf Hotels, Inc.; Latham, NY
  • Carlos Maldonado, Owner; Milenium Grupo Hotelero Mexicano; Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
  • Minhaz Manji, Director; Hospitality & Capital Management Ltd.; London, U.K.
  • Dean Morgan, President; Focus Hospitality Services; Valparaiso, IN
  • Tom P. Murray, Chief Executive Officer, The Americas; InterContinental Hotels Group; Atlanta, GA
  • Bakulesh G. (Buggsi) Patel, President/CEO; BHG Hotels; Lake Oswego, OR
  • Gabriel A. Petersen, Director of Corporate Strategy; Westmont Hospitality Group; Wimbledon, London, U.K.
  • Alnasir S. (Nash) Rajan, Vice President of Operations; Allied Hotel Properties, Inc.; Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • Raman P. (RP) Rama, Vice President & Director, Technology & Telecommunications; JHM Hotels; Greenville, SC
  • Kerry V. Ranson, Vice President; HP Hotels, Inc.; Metairie, LA
  • Christian Sargent, Vice President; Dellisart Lodging; Alpharetta, GA
  • Greg J. Schahet; Schahet Hotels, Inc.; Indianapolis, IN
  • Stephen L. Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer; First Hospitality Group; Des Plaines, IL
  • Mitesh (Mit) Shah, President and CEO; Noble Investment Group; Atlanta, GA
  • Parimal (Perry) Vashee, Director of Operations; Northampton Group; Mississauga, ON, Canada
  • Jane G. Willett, Hospitality Operations Manager; G-Rem, Inc.; Lodi, CA
  • Jenifer Zeigler, Senior Vice President; Brand Management, Holiday Inn Express, The Americas; InterContinental Hotels Group; Atlanta, GA

About the IAHI: IAHI members own and operate InterContinental Hotels Group brand hotels worldwide, including Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn SunSpree Resorts, Holiday Inn Select, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites hotels. Established in 1955, the IAHI was the first association of owners in the hotel industry, and today comprises nearly 2,500 members in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Canada, Mexico and Latin America.

The IAHI represents its membership in working together with InterContinental Hotels Group for the purpose of maintaining the highest professional hospitality standards for its brands. For the latest news from the IAHI, visit our online Press Room at .

About InterContinental Hotels Group: InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world’s most global hotel company and the largest by number of rooms. InterContinental Hotels Group owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, more than 3,500 hotels and 538,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world (www.ichotelsgroup.com). The Group owns a portfolio of well recognized and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn ® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel IndigoTM, and also has a controlling interest in Britvic, the second largest soft drinks manufacturer in the UK.

InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and reservations capability on the Internet -www.intercontinental.com for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, www.crowneplaza.com for Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, www.holiday-inn.com for Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, www.hiexpress.com for Holiday Inn Express hotels, www.staybridge.com for Staybridge Suites hotels, www.candlewoodsuites.com for Candlewood Suites hotels, www.hotelindigo.com for Hotel Indigo properties and for the Group’s rewards program, www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group, visit our online Press Office at www.pressoffice.ihgplc.com.

About GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance - GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance is a leading lender for the dynamic franchise market in the U.S. and Canada. With over $12 billion in served assets, it serves more than 6,000 customers and more than 21,000 property locations, primarily in the restaurant and hospitality industries. GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance offers customers access to capital with a menu of products featuring flexible structuring, including financing for acquisitions, refinancing, construction of new units and remodels for single- and multi-unit operators/chains. More information is available at , or by calling toll-free 866-GET-GEFF (438-4333).

Ann Wilson
IAHI Communications
(770) 455-4804
IHG Owners Association