A couple of the lodging industry’s most prominent and powerful associations have undergone some recent personnel changes with AAHOA seeing a shift in leadership and AHLA looking to emphasize an increased focus on diversity.
Earlier this month, AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) announced that it has appointed hotel industry veteran Ken Greene to serve as Interim President & CEO. Greene takes over for Cecil Staton, who formerly was President and CEO of AAHOA and announced he was stepping down in early June. In addition, AAHOA VP and COO Rachel Humphrey revealed she will be leaving her position in early August.
According to AAHOA, the Board’s selection of Greene reflects the group’s trust and utmost confidence that he can carry the organization forward as the industry continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Greene will continue to execute upon the Association’s 2021-2023 Strategic Plan and serve alongside AAHOA’s Board and staff.
During each chapter of Ken’s career, he’s been involved with AAHOA, its members, and industry partners. Prior to joining AAHOA, Green served as a global leader of many iconic hotel brands, including President, Americas for Radisson Hotel Group, President & CEO for Delta Hotels and Resorts, and in various roles at Cendant Corporation, Wyndham Worldwide, and many of its divisions. Ken also recently founded Greenehouse Consulting, which focuses on acquisitions, management, and advisory services to the hospitality industry.
Meanwhile, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation have created two new roles to address a growing focus on research and visibility and diversity advancement within the industry, respectively.
Curt Cashour has joined the AHLA’s communications team as VP, media relations & enterprise initiatives. In this new role, he will lead the media team to advance and oversee the continued growth of AHLA’s research capabilities, which remains an ongoing Association priority, according to AHLA. An Iraq war veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge, he comes to AHLA after serving as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The AHLA Foundation has added Jennifer Clark Fugolo, who joins the team as VP, advancement. She will spearhead the foundation’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) efforts and coordinate with its partners and industry task force to carry out the foundation’s five-year, $5 million commitment and action plan to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the hotel industry. Additionally, she will lead the foundation’s Empowering Youth Program, which recruits opportunity youth for entry-level hotel positions, and with the help of local community-based organizations (CBOs), nurtures and develops them with the training, tools and support that will lead to permanent careers in hospitality. She joins the foundation with more than a decade of experience straddling the corporate and non-profit worlds.
