"Each of these three individuals is very familiar with the types of properties we own and each of them is noted for achieving an ambitious pace of growth at any organization they associate themselves with,'' Hasu P. Shah, CEO and Chairman of the Hersha Hospitality Trust. "Now their expertise and energy will help guide our REIT, so we're certainly very excited about what this will
mean for our continued progress and profitability.'' 

Michael A. Leven, one of the most respected and recognized leaders in the hospitality industry, is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of US Franchise Systems, Inc. (USFS), which has more than 500 franchised hotel properties across the country under the Microtel, Hawthorn, and Best Inns & Suites brands. 

Prior to forming USFS in 1995, Mr. Leven was President and Chief Operating Officer of Holiday Inn Worldwide for five years and prior to that, he was President of Days Inn of America for five years. In 1989, he was a co-founder of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), an influential trade group that now has some 7,500 members. 

Mr. Donald J. Landry has had a distinguished 30-year career in the lodging and hospitality industry, serving most recently as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Vice Chairman of Sunburst Hospitality Inc. He has also held senior executive positions with Choice Hotels International Inc., Manor Care Hotel Division and Richfield Hotel Management. He is frequently a guest lecturer at the Harvard Business School, Cornell University, and the University of New Orleans. 

Mr. William Lehr, Jr. has a distinguished legal and financial background, and served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary, and Treasurer with Hershey Foods Corporation. During his tenure with Hershey Foods, he held positions that included responsibility for corporate governance, law, finance, human resources, and public affairs. Currently, he serves in leadership positions with several non-profit organizations, including the Greater Harrisburg Foundation and the Whitaker Center for Science and for the Arts. 

Hersha Hospitality Trust is a self advised real estate investment trust that owns premium limited and full service hotels in the eastern United States with strong, national franchise affiliations. The Company focuses on acquisition and joint venture opportunities in primary and secondary markets near major metropolitan markets. The Company currently owns 19 hotels in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Georgia. 

Certain matters within this press release are discussed using forward-looking language as specified in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results or performance to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statement.