"As HHOA membership grows, we continue to add the best and brightest Hispanic business people to our organization," said Angela Gonzalez-Rowe, founder and president of the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association. "Both of these progressive and dynamic leaders add invaluable experience and guidance to our seasoned board of directors. We expect to draw on their reputations of profit-driving success to better secure our goal of improving the Latino presence in the hospitality industry."

Michael Gallegos has more than 25 years of hotel administration and hotel management consulting experience. He is president and CEO of San Diego, California-based APMC, one of the nation's largest independent hotel companies, and American Property Hospitality Management Corp. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico and received his certified hotel administrator (CHA) certification from the American Hotel & Motel Association (AHMA). In addition, Gallegos is a former member of the Wells Fargo Bank Board of Directors.

As president of Desires Hotels/Tecton Hospitality, Raul Leal is responsible for the company's financial performance and day-to-day operations. In his 20-year career, he has held management positions with Interstate Hotels, The Continental Companies, and Lane Hotels, as well as several independent properties. He helped co-develop Desires Hotels within Tecton Hospitality, which currently manages some of the world's most popular boutique and lifestyle hotels. Leal has a Bachelor of Arts degree in hotel and restaurant management from La Salle University.
 

Michael Gallegos

Raul Leal

About HHOA
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., HHOA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the number of Hispanic-owned, -developed and -operated hotels, further the participation of Hispanic-owned suppliers serving the hotel industry and increase executive level employment opportunities for Hispanics within the lodging industry. The industry's leading brands, including Hilton Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, Choice Hotels International, Wyndham Worldwide Corporation and Global Hyatt Corporation have joined the organization and have become major corporate sponsors.

HHOA membership is open to hotel owners, developers, investors, financiers, real estate executives, investment bankers, professional advisors, analysts, franchisors, management company executives, industry product and service providers, hotel general managers, hotel sales and marketing managers, government agencies for tourism and development, hospitality schools, hospitality students or anyone seeking to do business within the Hispanic market.

Additional information about HHOA is available at the association's Web site, www.hhoa.org. To learn more about the Hotel Investment Series, contact Angela Gonzalez-Rowe at 202-587-5707, or www.hhoa.org.

Hispanic Hotel Owners Association

Jerry Daly
[email protected]