Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association Announces 2026 Leadership

Industry leaders from across the state to guide OHLA’s strategic direction

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association (OHLA) has elected its 2026 Board of Directors, announced during the association’s annual Lodging Summit on January 20, 2026, at OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark.

“The OHLA Board has consistently been a gathering of the brightest minds in Oklahoma’s lodging sector,” said James Leewright, OHLA Chief Executive Officer. “This fantastic team of directors is ready and equipped to tackle the changing needs of our members and their lodging establishments while adding to OHLA’s impressive track record of success.”

2026 Executive Officers:

·      Chair – Chase Rollins, Skirvin Hilton Hotel, Oklahoma City

·      Vice Chair – Michael Grisar, Choctaw Casinos, Durant

·      Treasurer – Brandi Thomas, Hilton Garden Inn, Lawton-Ft. Sill

·      Secretary – Jason Clark, The Ambassador Hotel, Oklahoma City

·      Immediate Past Chair – Gabby Trad, Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center, Edmond

·      Chief Executive Officer – James Leewright, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association

·      President – Patti Colley, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association

Western District Directors: Kyle Allen, Residence Inn OKC North Quail, Oklahoma City; Kristin Chambless, Courtyard by Marriott, Oklahoma City; David Davis, Spark Hospitality, Edmond; Mike Farney, Champion Hotels, Oklahoma City; Christian Harris, Embassy Suites, Downtown Oklahoma City; Steve Keenan, Omni Hotel, Oklahoma City; Ryan Parker, Tradition’s Hospitality Group/Riverwind Hotel, Norman; Amit Patel, Pristine Hospitality, Oklahoma City; Arti Patel, Springhill Suites/Pristine Hospitality, Del City; Brandi Thomas, Hilton Garden Inn, Lawton; Gabby Trad, Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center, Edmond; and Blane Thompson, The Ellison Hotel, Oklahoma City.

Eastern District Directors: Bryan Davis, West Bay Casino & Resort, Kingston; Ravi Desai, Hampton Inn, Broken Arrow; Mark Dunn, Osage Nation Casino Hotel, Tulsa; Michael Grisar, Choctaw Casinos, Durant; Andrew Hargis, Hyatt Regency Downtown, Tulsa; Jeff Hartman, SJS Hospitality, Tulsa; Dena Jones, Wyndham Garden/Champion Hotels, Oklahoma City; Joe Martin, Stillwater Hospitality, Stillwater; Ross Martin, Hampton Inn & Suites, Stillwater; Kyle Reans, River Spirit Casino & Resort, Tulsa; and Bryan Smith, Hotel Indigo, Tulsa.

At-Large Directors: Jason Clark, The Ambassador Hotel, Oklahoma City; Matt Cowden, The Ellison Hotel, Oklahoma City; Kyle Lippe, The National Hotel, Oklahoma City; Ketan Patel, Courtyard by Marriott Northwest OKC, Oklahoma City; Chase Rollins, Skirvin Hilton Hotel, Oklahoma City; Paul VanRaamsdonk, Hilton Garden Inn, Norman; and Gerson Velasquez, OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, Oklahoma City.

Associate Directors: Rex Amsler, Wyndham Grand, Downtown Oklahoma City; Jeff Erwin, Villa Teresa Hotel Development, Oklahoma City; Michelle Hartman, Hotel Indigo Downtown, Tulsa, John Kelly, Hensley’s Hospitality LLC, El Reno; Pete Patel, Promise Hotels, Tulsa; Jeff Penner, Champion Hotels, Oklahoma City; and Robert Slater, Southern Hospitality, Oklahoma City.

Advisory Directors: Zac Craig, Visit Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City; Ted Holmes, HotelBrokerOne, Oklahoma City; Chris Knipe, Auto-Chlor Services, LLC; Sam Lindsay, Tilia Design Co., Marietta; Carlos Lozano, Ecolab, Oklahoma City; Ed Lynn, Retired, Oklahoma City; Heather McGregor, McGregor Insurance Group, Tulsa; and Steven West, OSU School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Stillwater.

About the Oklahoma Hotel and Lodging Association Incorporated in 1974, the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association is Oklahoma’s trade association for the hotel and lodging industry. The OHLA actively provides pro-active advocacy, education and resources for operators and professionals in all types of lodging businesses throughout the state of Oklahoma. Hotel guest spending in our state equals $5.5 billion, and over 78,000 guest rooms exist in Oklahoma. The OHLA is a state partner of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).