John Fareed Hospitality Consulting LLC and Hotel & Club Associates of Virginia have merged to form hospitality advisory firm Fareed & Cummings LLC, according to principals John Fareed and Michael Cummings.

The new company has joined Horwath HTL, the world’s largest and most experienced hospitality-consulting brand with forty-five offices in thirty-nine countries.

Under the Horwath HTL flag, Fareed & Cummings LLC will provide a full complement of hotel consulting services—asset management, operational assessment, appraisal and valuation, feasibility and market studies, and strategic market planning for new openings, repositioning’s and turnarounds—from their offices in New York NY, Norfolk VA and Orlando FL.

The combined company currently has five properties under asset management, and an HTL advisory client portfolio that includes Fortune 500 companies, global brands, lenders, developers, REIT’s, management companies, investors, and owners.

A merger of equals, the new company boasts a highly accomplished team of 15 hotel professionals including two members of the prestigious International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), two Designated Members of the Appraisal Institute (MAI), a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA), a Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME), and a Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM).

John Fareed, Managing Director said, “Michael and I began working together more than 20 years ago and grew to become great friends and trusted colleagues, and I am proud and honored that we are now business partners. In establishing Fareed & Cummings, we significantly increase our ability to provide our clients with the services they need to help grow their own businesses.”

Michael Cummings, Managing Director added, “As Horwath HTL in North America, our goal is to provide the best possible package of services for our clients. We look forward to working with the other Horwath HTL offices to grow the brand in the US to that of the largest and most respected hospitality, tourism and leisure advisory group.”

Robert Hecker, Chairman of Horwath HTL said, “We are proud and honored to welcome Fareed & Cummings to the Horwath HTL family. John and Mike’s team are internationally recognized experts in the field of hospitality consulting and represent exactly the caliber of firm Horwath HTL wants to attract. We wish them all the very best.”