Panel Discussion: Financing Hospitality in Today’s Market: What Should you Expect?

Jared Kelso

Senior Managing Director of Berkadia

Jared Kelso, Senior Managing Director at Berkadia’s Hotels & Hospitality platform in New York, NY, leads a nationally coordinated team focusing on investment sales and mortgage banking. Previously at Cushman & Wakefield, he co-headed the national hospitality capital markets practice. With extensive experience in sale, financing, and complex financial analysis, Kelso ensures efficient deal execution. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and is a member of the national chapter of the Cornell Hotel Society.

Navroz Saju

Founder and Principal of HDG Hotels

After a tornado devastated his family motel business in 1993, Navroz Saju left Georgetown Law to take charge. Learning firsthand the importance of people in business, he founded HDG Hotels. Through HDG Legacy, he led initiatives focusing on community upliftment through hotel development. With a background in accounting and law, he prioritizes guest satisfaction, team support, and community partnership. Currently residing in Ocala, Florida, I’m involved in various local organizations and live with my wife and two sons.

Salim Damji

Principal of Solid Rock Group

Moderator

Salim Damji is a Principal Founder of Elysian Hospitality and a Principal and Co-Founder of Solid Rock Group. He brings over 20 years of diverse hospitality experience, including in operations, asset management, acquisitions and development.Mr. Damji has executed on $18B in transactions while his asset management team oversee properties valued over $4.5B.  Through Elysian, he is an owner/operator of independent lifestyle hotels. Mr. Damji graduated from Cornell Hotel School with a Master’s in Hospitality Management, a Master’s of Science in Business from Erasmus University in Rotterdam and an undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia.

Panel: Hotel Management: 3rd Party or Self-Managed: What’s Right for You?

Azim Saju

Chief Executive Officer of Ark Holdings Group

Azim Saju is the CEO of Ark Holdings Group. Ark is involved in the development and management of a portfolio of hotels across North America. In addition, Azim has been the Chairperson of the Choice Hotels Franchisee Advisory Council and the IFA Franchisee Forum. 

Azim is also a member of the Florida Bar Association. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Davidson College.

Farish Gulamali

Vice President of Operations at
Roshan Hospitality Management

Farish Gulamali, VP of Operations at Roshan Hospitality Management (RHM), brings corporate expertise from the Oil and Gas industry to enhance RHM’s accounting, operations, and HR functions.

Joining in 2021 alongside his father, Amin Gulamali, a seasoned veteran in real estate and operations, Farish’s strategic mindset aids in RHM’s long-term growth and expansion efforts.