News
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www.asianhospitality.com
December/January 2025 | Issue 232
he BHW Hotels board of directors
elected Steve Wahrlich as board
chairman for 2025. In addition,
the board elected Viral “Victor” Patel as
vice- chairman and Rajesh “Raj” Patel as
secretary-treasurer.
Wahrlich, a former vice-
chairman under previous
chairman Phil Payne, brings
decades of hospitality
experience and over 40 years
as a BWH Hotels owner to his
role as chairman, BWH said in a
statement.
“I am pleased to announce
Steve Wahrlich as our new
board chairperson,” said
Larry Cuculic, BWH Hotels’
president and CEO. “Steve
has been a valued and trusted
hotelier for many years. His
deep understanding of BWH
Hotels, combined with his extensive
industry experience, makes him the
ideal leader to help direct our board and
broader organization. His leadership
will be instrumental in advancing our
strategic vision, strengthening our
market position, and creating lasting
value for our hoteliers and guests.”
Wahrlich has owned and operated BWH
Hotels properties since 1977, the statement
said. His portfolio includes the Best
Western Plus Clocktower Inn in Billings,
Montana, part of the brand
since 1966, which has received
the TripAdvisor Travelers’
Choice Award for seven
consecutive years. He also owns
the Best Western Plus Hilltop
in Redding, California, a BWH
Hotels property since 1977.
Wahrlich called it a
tremendous honor to be
selected as chairman.
"Having been part of this
extraordinary company
for many years, I’ve had
the privilege of witnessing
our evolution into a global
hospitality powerhouse. BWH
Hotels has an incredibly rich legacy, and I
am looking forward to working alongside
our dedicated leadership team and fellow
directors to continue advancing our
portfolio with an unwavering commitment
to delivering exceptional guest
experiences."
In addition to his work with BWH Hotels,
Wahrlich is vice-chair of RiverStone
Health, Montana’s largest community
health center, and he serves on the board
of the Montana Lodging & Hospitality
Association. He also has contributed to
local initiatives as a board member for
the City of Billings Tourism Improvement
District, the Downtown Billings Tax
Improvement District and other regional
organizations.
New vice-chairperson Viral Patel,
previously secretary-treasurer, joined
the BWH board of directors in 2021,
representing hotel owners in Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan,
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario,
Canada. He currently owns and
operates the Best Western Corbin Inn in
Kentucky.
Rajesh Patel joined the BWH board
of directors in 2022, representing hotel
owners in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and
Puerto Rico. He is the owner, president,
and CEO of Apsilon Hotels, which owns
two BWH properties: Best Western Plus
Atlanta Airport-East and Best Western Plus
Fairburn-Atlanta Southwest.
Wahrlich named BWH Hotels board chairman
Viral Patel and Rajesh Patel elected vice-chairman and secretary-treasurer respectively
aura Lee Blake, president and CEO of
AAHOA, and Neal Patel of Patel Partners
were among The Hill’s Top Lobbyists of
2024 for their leadership in advocating for the
hotel industry amid legislative and political
challenges. The list recognizes individuals
who have effectively advanced their industry's
interests in a changing political landscape.
Blake and Patel's inclusion comes as the
hospitality sector faces ongoing legislative
and regulatory challenges, AAHOA said in a
statement.
AAHOA Chairman Miraj Patel congratulated
Blake and Neal Patel on the recognition.
"Their dedication and efforts on behalf of
our industry continue to make a meaningful
impact,” Patel said. “We are fortunate to have
such strong advocates representing AAHOA and
our industry.”
This is another recognition for Blake and Neal
Patel, who have received this distinction before,
AAHOA added. Blake called it an honor to be
recognized alongside other advocates.
"This achievement would
not be possible without
the engagement and
contributions of thousands
of AAHOA members, whose
voices inspire and drive our
efforts,” she said. “We remain
committed to advancing the
interests of hotel owners
and will continue working
to strengthen advocacy at
every level of government to
address industry challenges
and ensure its continued
success."
Patel said he is honored
to represent AAHOA's hotel
owners.
"These remarkable
individuals are not only
great entrepreneurs and
job creators but also the foremost example of
the American Dream in action,” he said. “This
recognition reflects the
dedication of AAHOA and its
members to advocating for
meaningful change."
In 2024, AAHOA expanded
its advocacy efforts to
address labor shortages,
access to capital, and
regulatory reform, the
statement said. Earlier
this year, the association
marked a milestone with the
introduction of the Loans
in Our Neighborhoods Act,
its first direct involvement
in introducing federal
legislation.
The association said that
the achievement highlights
its growing influence and
commitment to solutions
benefiting its members and the hospitality
industry.
AAHOA’s Blake, Neal Patel named top lobbyists by The Hill
The list recognizes individuals who have advanced their industry's interests
AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee
Blake, pictured far left at the association’s
2023 Fall National Advocacy Conference
along with Chairman Miraj Patel and
past Chairman Bharat Patel, was among
The Hill’s Top Lobbyists of 2024 for her
leadership in advocating for the hotel
industry amid legislative and political
challenges. Neal Patel of Patel Partners,
not pictured, also was named one of the
Top Lobbyists.
The BWH Hotels board
of directors elected
Steve Wahrlich as
chairman for 2025.
Viral “Victor” Patel was
elected vice-chairman
and Rajesh “Raj” Patel
as secretary-treasurer.