Senior Management Profiles

Tony Patel

Founder

For more than 40 years, Tony Patel has been an innovator in the hospitality industry. He is recognized for his astute market analysis and his fast pace development of hotels. Born in Panama City, Panama he earned his degree from Columbus University began his professional career as a civil engineer.

In 1974, he migrated to Calhoun Ga. and purchased his first hotel the Ramada Inn.

In 2002, with the assistance of Nim and Al Patel opened Horizon Hospitality Mgt. Inc . The company owns and/or operates properties under the flagships of Hilton, Marriott, Choice, IHG and Laquinta Hotels

Nim Patel

Chief Executive Officer

Nim developed the business plan that helped fuel HHMI’s growth from managing a single hotel brand to managing a diverse portfolio of hotel brands.

Nim’s background has served him well in his leadership role. He earned his undergraduate degree from Mercer University. After undergraduate school in 1997, Nim moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and joined Tricon as a District Manager operating 8 restaurants. In 2000, he joined Wendy’s International into a fast track program to a DAO position operating 90 restaurants. In 2000, he enrolled in the School of Business Administration at Ohio State University and obtained a Masters Degree. Upon graduation in 2002, he joined his family in Atlanta and became Chairman and CEO of Horizon Hospitality Mgt. Inc.

Xama Bhatt

Chief Financial Officer

Xama Bhatt is responsible for a full range of financial services at HHMI headquarters and managed properties. These services include centralized cash management, payroll, accounts payable, real estate and sales tax, financial reporting, construction accounting and management information systems. Xama and her staff lead efforts to be financially successful — both for HHMI and the company’s financial partners. To improve profitability, her and her team conduct periodic reviews and evaluations of operating and reporting systems. Her leadership has resulted in superior financial gains. In her role of Human Resources, Xama Bhatt is responsible for overall hotel operations and building and retaining a strong management team.

A native of India, Xama received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ohio State University in 2001 and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Ohio State Unversity in 2003. She held positions in private business and public accounting with Lucas Sumitomo and SEI.

Al Patel

Chief Development Officer

Al Patel has more than 10 years of hotel development experience, he brings his expertise in strategic growth, new construction, and rapid development to Horizon Hospitality Mgt. Inc.

As one of the founders of Horizon Hospitality Mgt. Inc, Al helped develop Hilton, Marriott, and IHG brand hotels. He ensures the high quality development of HHMI hotels in the southeast.

Al is an Atlanta native who worked in various hotel positions as he was growing up. He started investing in hotels at a young age with the support of his family. Early in his career he was both an Assistant General Manager and General Manager. He helped develop and maintained the systems that allow HHMI to be successful.

Charis Bertrand

Senior VP of Sales and Marketing

Charis has served 18 years in the Hospitality Industry with full-service and limited service hotels. Her experience, ability and proven success has shown in all aspects of Sales & Marketing management, team leadership and maximizing profits with driving revenue YOY. Her extensive knowledge and experience brought her to Horizon Hospitality in 2019 as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Within her role as Vice President of Sales & Marketing she focuses on the team synergy and discipline collaboration that is critical to the success of our revenue producing departments with oversight of leadership of the entire sales organization for our portfolio of Hotels.

Prior to joining Horizon, her previous experience and leadership positions held in sequence includes Human Resource Assistant Manager, General Manager for full-service Hilton, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing. With her well diverse portfolio of hotel brands including Hilton, Marriott and IHG, Charis has earned several awards for her accomplishments for over the years. She is very committed to expanding and developing her team’s knowledge through use of practical applications, creative competencies and education in revenue generating industry tools that focus on strategy, business development and total profitability. Her objective is to surpass sales and profitability expectations through her strong leadership and the development and implementation of winning strategies.

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ansumana Spataro

VP of Maintenance and Engineering

Ansu joined Horizon Hospitality Management Inc. Engineering department coming from working for over 15 years in full-size high-class properties. He oversees the company Engineering and maintenance department as well as assisting in hotel renovations and new construction to ensure seamless implementation of company standards and values for each property. While maintaining the high standards of HHMI and cost-conscious efforts, he is responsible for training, purchasing, vendor procurement and staffing. He is responsible for the company implementation of guest and personnel safety practices set by local and national standards. Ansumana comes to HHMI from many years of overseas experience, acquiring a degree in hospitality.

Larry Bielski

Senior Vice President - Construction/Architectural

Under Larry Beliski’s leadership, HHMI has an established reputation as an industry leader in product quality. Larry is responsible for architectural and interior design, new construction and renovation/capital expenditures. He is also responsible for the technical programs required for efficient hotel operations in the areas of maintenance, energy management, purchasing, telephone systems and life safety.

Larry grew up in Atlanta and received a bachelor’s degree in 1979 in civil engineering from the University of Georgia, as well as a master’s in business administration from University of Georgia in 1983.

In 2002, Larry joined HHMI as a project manager. He was soon promoted to Senior Vice President of Construction in 2004.

Deksha Patel

Regional Operations Manager

Deksha Patel is a Regional Operations Manager with over 25 years of successful experience in the Hospitality industry. She is certified with pleura of hotels and has an extensive background in operating a range of hotels including IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Choice Hotels and Wyndham. Deksha is currently assisting us in opening our Spring Hill Suites by Marriott and will continue to help us thrive our company. In 1990, Deksha graduated from Golden State University with her Bachelor of Science in Business. Deksha has turned around failing properties to the passing zone. Her leadership skills and dedication to her career is impeccable.

Monika Patel

Regional Operations Manager

Monika started with HHMI in 2019 as a general manager and then moved forward as a regional Operations Manager. Earlier in her career, she held hotel management roles at Marriott, IHG, Wyndham, and choice hotel properties in the USA. She has over 9 years of hotel experience. She had her property in the top 5 when she was a General Manager at Springhill suites Ringgold. She is a very goal-oriented person. Her skills and growth are awe-inspiring.

Sabrina Claiborne

Regional Sales Manager

Sabrina Claiborne possesses an extensive hospitality background of 18 years working with full and select service hotels such as: Doubletree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, LaQuinta Inn & Suites and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. She began her career as a Front Office Associate, quickly advancing to Guest Services Manager, Assistant Manager, General Manager and Director of Sales. With her background in both Operations and Sales, she has succeeded in increasing top and bottom line revenues through creative and effective sales and operations efforts.

Sabrina has held the “Train the Trainer” Certification for the Doubletree by Hilton Brand, recognized as “Spirit of Hampton” Award Winner and received “Best Guest Services Manager” Award.

As Regional Sales Manager for Horizon Hospitality Management, Sabrina oversees the North Georgia Region hotels in Calhoun and Ringgold, GA, to include Hilton, Marriott and IHG mid-scale brand hotels. Utilizing her current skills and knowledge, she assists in the revenue growth and client retention of the portfolio by leveraging unique selling propositions via brand knowledge, revenue management analyses, and other unique marketing efforts.

Matthew Smith

Regional Maintenance Engineer

Matthew Smith has a passion for problem-solving, as he is a third-generation maintenance expert.

He previously has worked in Hospitality and Healthcare facilities, and has been in this industry for more than 20 years.

A native of Oklahoma, he has lived in the Southeastern states since childhood, and resides in Georgia with his wife and two children.

Quick to identify and address problems, he appreciates efficiency and order. He is happy to be a part of a wonderful team that works together to make things run smoothly for a great customer experience.

Gustavo Gonzalez

Regional Maintenance Engineer

Gustavo has over 30 years of maintenance experience. He specializes in HVAC, Pools and Refrigeration. Gustavo has been with the company for a short time but enjoys working with all of his properties. Gustavo looks forward to seeing Horizon grow and being a part of the team.