Hersha Hospitality Trust Announces Planned Leadership Transition
Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) has announced the retirement of its Founder and Chairman, Hasu P. Shah, effective December 31, 2022, after 38 years in the role. CEO Jay H. Shah will transition to Executive Chairman, while COO Neil H. Shah will assume the roles of President and CEO, effective January 1, 2023. The company aims for a smooth leadership transition, emphasizing operational streamlining and value creation for shareholders. Under Hasu's leadership, Hersha transformed from a single property to a significant publicly-traded REIT with a focus on sustainability and high-quality hospitality.
- Leadership transition is well-planned, indicating stability.
- Neil H. Shah's promotion aims to streamline operations, potentially enhancing shareholder value.
- Company's solid foundation under Hasu P. Shah supports future growth.
- Concerns may arise regarding continuity and experience with a new leadership structure.
– Founder and Chairman Hasu P. Shah to Retire –
– CEO Jay H. Shah to become Executive Chairman –
– COO Neil H. Shah to become President and Chief Executive Officer –
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT) (“Hersha” or the “Company”), owner of high-quality hotels in urban gateway markets and regional resort destinations, today announced that its Founder, Hasu P. Shah, intends to retire as Chairman of the Board of Trustees on December 31, 2022, after 38 years with the Company. As part of the planned succession, the Board has selected Chief Executive Officer Jay H. Shah to become Executive Chairman of the Board, and President and Chief Operating Officer Neil H. Shah to become President and CEO and join the Board of Trustees, both appointments to be effective as of January 1, 2023. The Company will be eliminating the role of Chief Operating Officer.
Hasu P. Shah commented: “It has been a great honor to build this business from the ground up, first with my wife, and now with my two sons, alongside a talented and dedicated team. We founded the Company as a partnership with a single property, growing and transforming it into a publicly-traded REIT with a bi-coastal portfolio of luxury and lifestyle hotels in the most valuable urban and resort markets.”
Hasu and Hersha Shah founded the Company with the purchase and renovation of the Riverfront Hotel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1984. With his sons and partners, Hasu grew the Company and took it public as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in 1998. Under Hasu’s leadership, the Company has since developed, owned, or managed nearly 100 hotels across the U.S., and established itself as an industry leader in sustainability with the creation in 2010 of its award-winning EarthView program.
Jay H. Shah commented: “On behalf of the Board and the entire Company, I’d like to thank and congratulate my father on his long career and invaluable contributions to Hersha. His unwavering determination and commitment to excellence will remain at the core of the business and we are grateful that he will continue on as honorary Chairman Emeritus to assist the Company by donating his time and wisdom. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a thoughtful succession plan to ensure a smooth transition and Hersha’s continued success. Neil has proven to be a thoughtful and dedicated leader, particularly in navigating the challenges presented by the pandemic, and the Board and I are confident he is the right person to lead the Company in this exciting next chapter.”
Neil H. Shah commented: “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of my father and brother and lead Hersha. As a result of these changes, our shareholders will benefit from increased value from a streamlined structure commensurate with our smaller – but very high quality – portfolio. This is an exciting and critical moment for Hersha as the industry continues to recover from the pandemic, and as a result of the work we have done to strengthen and improve our portfolio, we are on a strong trajectory. I look forward to continuing to work with such a dedicated team across the Company as we continue our focus on further growing shareholder value.”
About Hersha Hospitality Trust
Hersha Hospitality Trust (HT) is a self-advised real estate investment trust in the hospitality sector, which owns and operates luxury and lifestyle hotels in coastal gateway and resort markets. The Company’s 30 hotels totaling 4,544 rooms are located in New York, Miami & Key West, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, and select markets on the West Coast. The Company's common shares are traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “HT.” For more information on the Company, and the Company’s hotel portfolio, please visit the Company's website at www.hersha.com
Contact:
Ashish Parikh, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: 215-238-1046
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