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

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.