AHLA Names New Board Leadership Team

Why It Matters

Leadership turnover at AHLA signals a strategic push to confront labor shortages and shape industry‑wide advocacy as travel rebounds. The board’s composition blends operational, investment and brand expertise, positioning the association to influence policy and growth initiatives.

Key Takeaways

• Thom Geshay, Davidson CEO, becomes AHLA board chair July 1
• Jon Stanner and Jolyon Bulley take vice chair, secretary roles
• New board aims to tackle workforce shortages and boost travel demand
• Former chair Liam Brown retires after nearly 40 years in hospitality
• Board adds Michelle Woodley and Adam Rohman as new members

Pulse Analysis

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) serves as the primary lobbying voice for U.S. hotels, representing thousands of properties from boutique inns to global chains. By refreshing its board leadership, AHLA aims to align its governance with the evolving challenges of a post‑pandemic market, where regulatory pressure, sustainability mandates, and shifting consumer expectations demand agile advocacy. The appointment of seasoned executives with deep operational and financial backgrounds underscores the association’s intent to blend policy influence with pragmatic industry insight.

Thom Geshay brings nearly four decades of hands‑on experience at Davidson Hospitality Group, spanning acquisitions, operations, and brand strategy. His rise from bellman to CEO equips him with a granular view of hotel economics, a perspective that complements Jon Stanner’s finance‑focused tenure at Summit Hotel Properties and Jolyon Bulley’s global brand oversight at IHG. Together, they form a leadership trio capable of navigating complex issues such as workforce development, franchising models, and capital allocation, while also fostering collaboration among member hotels of varying sizes.

For the broader hospitality sector, this board overhaul could accelerate initiatives targeting the acute labor shortage that has plagued hotels since 2020. By leveraging the new leaders’ networks, AHLA is poised to champion training programs, immigration reforms, and technology adoption that enhance employee retention. Moreover, the inclusion of Michelle Woodley and Adam Rohman expands the board’s expertise into travel distribution and asset management, promising a more holistic approach to driving demand and profitability across the industry.