Our Leadership Team
President & Chief Executive Officer | Henry I. Patel
Henry I. Patel is President & CEO of TAJ Hospitality Management. For more than 40 years, Henry has been immersed in the hotel industry, as both a hotel owner-operator and as an industry supplier. As the CEO, Henry has many hats to wear, taking a more hands-on approach such as making and executing decisions that impact the company from the bottom up all the way to directing agendas, driving profitability, managing company organizational structure, and strategy.
President & Chief Executive Officer | Henry I. Patel
Henry I. Patel is President & CEO of TAJ Hospitality Management. Henry and his wife, Neeta Patel, co-founded TAJ Hospitality Management. For more than 40 years, Henry has been immersed in the hotel industry, as both a hotel owner-operator and as an industry supplier. As President & CEO, Henry directs all company operations from financial management to hotel development and construction. Henry contributes depth of experience and keen business sense to our team. He is also founder and CEO of an industry-leading distributor and manufacturer of PTAC units. Henry holds his electrical engineering degree from Texas Tech University and is highly active as a leader in the Lubbock community, including as a previous member of the Lubbock Downtown Tax Increment Financing committee and most recently as a member of the Board of Directors for the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance.
Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer | Niraj H. Patel
Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer | Niraj H. Patel
Niraj H. Patel leads the investment and cash flow functions for TAJ Hospitality Management, using a unique combination of analytical-thinking and people skills. Niraj oversees the processes for daily management of cash flow, as well as assists in managing all banking accounts for the business. Niraj performs internal-audit functions and maintains the integrity of internal controls and transactions. The hospitality industry and business management come naturally for Niraj. Niraj grew up in the hotel business as the son of Henry and Neeta Patel and has learned the operational aspects of hotel management from both working and living in hotels. Niraj is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic in Texas. He graduated with his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Parker University in 2016, and his Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University in 2013. His science and medical background provide him with developed problem-solving and procedural abilities, as well as an exceptional “bedside manner”.
Managing Director, Chief Development Officer | Aviraj H. Patel
As Managing Director & Chief Development Officer, Aviraj H. Patel is responsible for the acquisitions, new developments, and overall development and implementation of the company’s strategic plans and growth goals.
Managing Director, Chief Development Officer | Aviraj H. Patel
As Managing Director & Chief Development Officer, Aviraj H. Patel is responsible for the acquisitions, new developments, and overall development and implementation of the company’s strategic plans and growth goals. He also supports overall hotel operations including budgeting, revenue management, long-range plans, and strategic planning. Aviraj brings a proven work ethic to our company, manifested not only in his completion of both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University, but also his most recent work as part of a specialized team within Texas Instruments performing Design Validation Engineering. With a minor in Math and a Certificate in the Essentials of Business, he is well rounded in Information Systems, Organizational Behavior and Managerial Finance and Accounting. Along with his educational background, as the son of Henry and Neeta, Aviraj brings a lifelong experience with hotels to the table. He has worked every department including housekeeping, laundry, stock/inventory, and front desk, management. In addition, he has experience with the new hotel development side of the business from budgeting to blueprints, to completion.
Chief Operating Officer | Pooja Patel
Pooja Patel, as COO, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company working closely with department heads ensuring that all the systems, resources, and people are in place to achieve the strategic goals of the company.
Chief Operating Officer | Pooja Patel
— Bio coming soon! —
Chief Financial Officer | Eddie Cortez
As CFO, Eddie’s duties include budgeting, tracking cash flow, financial planning, as well as analyzing the company’s financial strengths and weaknesses and proposing corrective actions to achieve the maximum profitability.
Chief Financial Officer | Eddie Cortez
— Bio coming soon! —
Director of Information Technology | Scott Hutchison
Director of Information Technology | Scott Hutchison
Scott Hutchison joined TAJ Hospitality Management’s team in August, 2015 as Director of Information Technology. Scott previously worked with TAJ Hospitality Management as its IT consultant. He brings to our team more than 35 years of experience in the IT and Telecom industries. Prior to joining TAJ, Scott worked at Texas Instruments’ Lubbock Semiconductor division as Site Infrastructure/Network Manager for 16 years, and at NTS Communications as Director of Information Technology for 17 years. Mr. Hutchison holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology from Texas Tech University.
Director of Human Resources | Beverly Riley
Director of Human Resources | Bev Riley
There are a few human resources legends in Lubbock, and Bev Riley is one of them. Bev brings approximately 30 years in human resources experience to our team, with past management roles at Texas Instruments, X-Fab, and Avero Diagnostics. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Lubbock Christian University, and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and as a Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional. As the Director of Human Resources for TAJ Hospitality Management, Bev is responsible for the human resources functions for all hotels. She has been developing our human resources department and is involved in all aspects of the employee “lifecycle”.
Vice President, Hotel Operations | Zack Taylor
As Vice President, Hotel Operations, Zack Taylor is responsible for supporting overall hotel operations including staffing, daily operational activities, revenue management, and planning.
Vice President, Hotel Operations | Zack Taylor
— Bio coming soon! —
Vice President, Sales & Marketing | Joan Dalton
Joan Dalton is responsible for leading all sales, marketing, and revenue growth initiatives. Her goal is to maximize RevPAR across the entire portfolio by placing a strategic piece of business in the right place at the right time.
Vice President, Sales & Marketing | Joan Dalton
— Bio coming soon! —
