Taran Patel

Managing principal

A-1 Hospitality Group

Age: 33

Current city of residence: Kennewick

Briefly describe your company:

A-1 Hospitality Group, located in Tri-Cities, specializes in hotel property management. We are family-owned and operated, and pride ourselves on our customer service across a wide range of hotel brands.

How long have you worked there?

A-1 Hospitality was established in 1997 by my parents, Vijay and Mita Patel, with the purchase of a small motel in Pendleton, Oregon. It has been a part of my story ever since. Our family lived in a modest one-bedroom apartment attached to the front desk, where my sister and I were raised. Growing up in that environment instilled in us a deep respect for hard work, perseverance and the values that continue to guide our company today.

Education: Please list any degrees and professional certifications.

• Bachelor in finance/prelaw, Washington State University.
• MBA from the University of Portland.

Briefly describe your job and what you do.

Oversee day-to-day operations and new acquisitions/new constructions.

Tell us about your work history.

Interned at Boeing.

Tell us about your first job.

Started at a grassroots level in the motel industry. Grew up cleaning rooms, working front desks and shadowing parents.

What advice would you give to your younger self about achieving success?

Anything is possible.

What was your dream job as a child?

Hotelier

Who are your role models – and why?

My parents have always been my greatest role models. They consistently upheld the highest standards, demonstrating exceptional care, respect and empathy in all that they did. Their unwavering commitment to making personal sacrifices for the well-being of their children and those around them continues to inspire and guide me both personally and professionally.

What would be your top three priorities to make our community a better place?

• Smart growth, sustainable development.
• Economic diversification.
• Quality of life, living spaces.

Tell us about your community involvement/community service:

• I have the privilege of serving on several industry-related boards at the local, state and national levels. Locally, I am a member of the Pasco Lodging Tax Advisory Council, where we provide input on how lodging tax revenues are allocated to benefit our community.
• At the state level, I serve on the board of the Washington Hospitality Association and the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association Board.
• Nationally, I represent the Northwest Region as a board member of Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the largest hotel owners’ association in the world. Additionally, I serve on the Holiday Inn Express Owners Council for the North America region.

List any awards/honors you have received (work or otherwise?).

• Hotel Management 30 Under 30.
• Oregon Lodging Operator of the Year, 2023.
• AAHOA Young Professional of the Year, 2021.

How do you achieve work-life balance?

Enjoying working out, traveling and spending time with my wife, friends and family.

How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities?

I have called the Tri-Cities home since 2006 and am a proud graduate of Kamiakin High School. Following high school, I attended Washington State University, where I studied finance and prelaw. In 2013, I chose to further my education by pursuing an MBA from the University of Portland before returning to the Tri-Cities in 2015 to begin my official professional journey.

What’s your dream vacation?

Australia

Planner or procrastinator?

Planner

Introvert or extrovert?

Extrovert

First car?

Chevy Astro Van

Favorite thing to do in Tri-Cities?

Golf

Favorite Tri-City restaurant?

Fiesta Mexican

Favorite day of the week?

Saturdays

Text, email, phone call?

Email

Would you rather travel back in time or to the future?

Future