The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has named Thom Geshay, CEO and president of Davidson Hospitality Group, as chair of its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2026.
Joining Geshay in leadership roles are Jon Stanner, who will serve as vice chair, and Jolyon Bulley, who will serve as secretary/treasurer. Geshay brings nearly 40 years of experience with Davidson Hospitality Group, where he has held a range of corporate and property-level leadership positions spanning operations, food and beverage, sales and marketing, business development, acquisitions and organizational strategy. Prior to becoming CEO, he served as president and COO.
“Thom, Jon, and Jolyon are influential industry leaders with proven track records of delivering results for our industry,” Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of AHLA, said in a statement. “Their guidance will be instrumental as we push for meaningful solutions to address workforce challenges, drive increased travel demand and support all segments of AHLA’s membership.”
Geshay succeeds Liam Brown, who is retiring from Marriott International this month after nearly four decades with the company. During his tenure as AHLA board chair, Brown supported workforce development initiatives, advocated for the hotel franchising business model and helped advance the association’s No Room for Trafficking program.
“I am honored to step into this role during such an important moment in time for our industry. In addition to Liam Brown being an exceptional Chair and cohort, he’s also a longtime friend, and I’m grateful for his leadership and partnership,” noted Geshay. “I began my hospitality career at a young age as a bellman and went on to gain hands-on experience across all facets of hotel operations, management and real estate.”
Stanner joined Summit Hotel Properties in 2017 and previously served as the company’s chief financial officer and chief investment officer before being named president and CEO. In addition to serving on the AHLA Board of Directors, he is a member of the AHLA Foundation Board of Trustees and serves on advisory councils for AC Hotels by Marriott and Hyatt.
Bulley serves as CEO of the Americas for IHG Hotels & Resorts, where he oversees operations, growth and profitability across the company’s portfolio of 21 brands in the region. He previously served as IHG’s chief operating officer for the Americas.
AHLA also announced the appointments of Michelle Woodley, president of Preferred Travel Group, and Adam Rohman, head of the Americas for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, to its Board of Directors.