CHLA Lodging News Sept/Oct 2019

www.calodging.com September/October 2019 5 Rohit Ranchhod HOTELIER PROFILE Owner & CEO, American Hospitality Services, Inc. As a principal of American Hospitality Services, Inc., I have extensive experience with both hotel and commercial development. I currently manage and supervise four hotel Brands across nine different properties—Marriott, Hilton, IHG & G6, and have several new JV development/management operations in the works. We are always open to assisting both seasoned and novice developers in accomplishing their goals. While building our current hotel portfolio, I sat on the California Restaurant Association Board for over 20 years and was a member of the Owner’s Council of the California Hotel & Lodging Association. Additionally, I serve as a Partner and Principal in the California State Regional Center that specializes in EB-5 investment across Northern California. I especially take pride in being the co-founder and board member of The Jags Solanki Memorial Fund for Ovarian Cancer—a 501(c)3 that raises money for innovative cancer research at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. To date, we have raised and donated $250,000 towards Cancer research and look forward to continuing our foundation’s educational endeavors focused on exposing the silent symptoms of ovarian cancer (www.knowyourbody.info) . My Hospitality Management team and I facilitate property entitlement, development, brand selection, operations, marketing, training, data tracking, and accounting as part of our turnkey services. Influenced by my 35+ years of hospitality experience, the mission of our company is to provide consistent and high-quality customer service to our guests and staff alike. Without our core team that is considered family—we could not possibly accomplish what we have and what we continue to do. HOW DID YOU COME TO BE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY? My journey began in the commercial sign fabrication and installation business. As owner operator, I targeted the various real estate firms throughout the Greater Sacramento region and successfully produced and installed their signage for over 10 years. After my tenured foray into installing signs for clients, I transitioned out of the sign business and into the food industry. I began with a restaurant in West Sacramento, and quickly grew my territory to a total of 10 locations. I was dedicated to food and beverage for about 8 years, however I transitioned out of the demanding food industry when a good friend of mine gave me the sage advice of focusing on real estate development. After extensive research on the hotel industry, an opportunity to develop a Holiday Inn Express & Suites surfaced and I decided to go all-in and pursue this venture. This first project was truly a daunting task—the timelines for the close of the property were short. My partner and I decided to sell all 10 restaurants and managed to accomplish this feat and successfully close on the property all within 60 days. I was heavily involved throughout the development process, all while also simultaneously maintaining a consulting job in San Jose. It was a very uneasy time period, but my partners and I committed to working in every department so we could master all inputs required for turnkey development. That first development was the starting point of my passion and career in hotels, which has been my lifeblood for over 16 years now. I am truly grateful to have had that initial opportunity and experience. The commitment and dedication instilled into our first project is what AHSI proudly delivers to every development venture we pursue. Rohit and business partner, Vinod Patel, at the construction site of their first hotel in 2003. continues  