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George Seli

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  • 4 min

Carlos Rodriguez Jr. Named CEO of Driftwood Capital as Company Expands Luxury and International Ventures with $3.5 Billion Assets Under Management

🏨 On January 22, Driftwood Capital appointed Carlos Rodriguez Jr. as CEO, succeeding Carlos Rodriguez Sr., who became executive chairman. Since co-founding in 2015, the duo grew Driftwood to manage $3.5 billion in assets and 90 hotels. In 2025, they restructured for growth and launched a luxury division. Targeting international expansion, they aim for Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Caribbean, enhancing cost-effective renovations and leveraging financing capabilities. The company scaled from a $50 million to a $2.5 billion GP fund.
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  • 3 min

Hunter Conference Panel Highlights Importance of Human Capital and Entrepreneurial Spirit in Overcoming Hospitality Challenges

🏨 March 17, the Hunter Conference hosted a panel with leaders like Alpesh Patel, Bo Patel, Mitch Patel, and Azim Saju. They discussed strategies for navigating profit pressure in the hospitality industry, emphasizing human capital. Examples showcased career advancement, such as a housekeeper becoming a General Manager since 2017. Mitch Patel noted rising hotel investments, with 89 hotels developed between 2011-2014. Construction costs remain high but are stabilizing, offering new opportunities. Entrepreneurs must embrace calculated risks for growth.
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  • 4 min

Hunter Conference 2024 Highlights Favorable Market for Hotel Buyers Amidst Macroeconomic Uncertainty and Projected 0.6% RevPAR Growth

📈 On March 16, the Hunter Conference, now in its 37th year, was held at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta. The event, hosted by Teague and Lee Hunter, provided a platform for hotel industry networking and learning amid macroeconomic challenges such as stock market volatility and tariffs. The panelists discussed a 15% increase in transaction volume from last year. Despite a projected 0.6% RevPAR growth, the market offers a “phenomenal buying opportunity” due to low capital costs and private equity interest.
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  • 4 min

New Perspective: Thom Geshay Brings Management Expertise to His Role as AHLA Vice Chair

🏨 Thom Geshay, CEO of Davidson Hospitality Group since 1988, shares insights on hospitality trends and his role with AHLA. He highlights a divergence in industry performance across segments and emphasizes sustainability. Davidson focuses on specialized, full-service properties. AHLA's advocacy will gain momentum with events like the 2026 World Cup. Geshay’s leadership principles include passion, inclusivity, and risk-taking. His outlook for the industry is optimistic, with major events set to boost engagement and economic impact.
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