 Bakulesh “Buggsi” Patel was born in Lusaka, Zambia, Africa. At the age of nine he was sent to public boarding school in England. Although he was the only son in a family of five children, the decision to send him to boarding school was made because his family considered him to be too wayward. He spent the next eight years in boarding school and worked with his father in England and Africa during the school holidays at his supermarket. When his father passed away suddenly, he was forced to make a decision to stay in school or leave to run the family business. While his dream was to finish school and become a pharmacist, he chose to leave school and run the family supermarket. From the age of 17 to 26 he successfully ran the supermarket business with his mother by his side. Growing restless with the supermarket business, he wanted to enter the hotel business in London. Banks in London required a 50% down payment which he did not have available. Upon hearing about the ease of financing and obtaining money in the United States, he took an opportunity to immigrate here in 1988. With his heart set upon building a hotel, he worked hard to locate money for his dream. Finally, in mid-1989, he obtained a loan to construct his first motel. He built a 51 unit Super 8 in La Grande, Oregon. He operated the property with his sister while they continued to learn the business and ensure that the hotel was profitable. As this was the first hotel, they did every job. This is when he began to get involved with the local Chamber of Commerce, the local Hotel Motel Restaurant Association (where he served as President) and the Oregon Lodging Association. Today, 17 years later, he has ownership interests in 21 hotels, with two more currently under development, located in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan and Northern California. He maintains a hands-on approach with each of the properties to oversee operations and is able to ensure that guest care and satisfaction remains a priority at each hotel. He has continued to be an active participant in all aspects of local, state, and national lodging associations. As an active member of the Oregon Lodging Association (OLA), he was elected as President of the association for the 1997-98 terms. Buggsi was elected to an unprecedented second term as president for the 1998-99 terms. He continues to be on the board and is active on various committees. He has helped to develop the grass roots chapters and lobbying efforts and has been instrumental in getting representation for diverse groups such as Bed and Breakfast and RV Park members. In 1998 he made the OLA convention the most successful by achieving the most profit and highest attendance rate ever, including the highest participation of Asian American members. He was a member of the Tourism Industry Council of Oregon Advisory Committee which is determining additional methods of raising funds for Oregon tourism. As a member of the Hospitality Workforce Alliance Committee, he represented Oregon lodging businesses to create a work-to-school program for high school students. As a perennial member and Director and past Executive Committee member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, he sits on various committees such as the Council of Inns and Suites, Lodging Industry Rating Advisory Council where, as vice chairman, Oregon was instrumental in opening the AAA issues. Currently serving as the chair since 1999, the Credit Card Advisory Committee, Multicultural and Diversity Committee and the Reorganization Task Force which looked at the revamping of the association. He also remains an active contributor to AHMPAC. He has traveled to Washington D.C. to assist in the lobbying effort with the Oregon Delegation at the legislative conferences since the start. An owner of several Best Western hotels, he currently serves in District II as the Governor for Region 13. He has also served on the Best Western Cultural Diversity Committee, the Best Western Oregon Co-Op Committee, the Membership development committee as Chair and the Marketing committee. Has received the 2004 Governors Award for district II. He held the Region 9 Chair and Vice Chair position on the Choice Hotels International Operators Council for the 1996-2003. He was an active member of the Comfort Inn Committee , Quality Inn Committee and the Standard and Operations committee as well. Most recently being elected to President for the association for 2004. Where he led the association through a name change, Choice Hotels Owners Council, and a governance and strategic planning course. His participation in the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) has been ongoing from the association’s inception. He was elected to the association’s Vice Chairman Position for 1999, and ascended to Chair in 2000, and has been a member of the Executive Committee since 1997. He has continued to actively represent the association and its members. He has traveled to town hall meetings held by the association. In his chairmanship of the Communications Committee, he was responsible for overseeing the publication of the AAHOA “Hospitality” magazine and general advertising and marketing. His position as 1998 chairman of the Governmental/PAC Committee allowed him to continue his activity with AAHOA’s involvement in major issues ranging from ADA to immigration. He was also one of the key members of the Industry Relations Committee which is dealing with fair franchising. He was involved in the Governance of the association,2005-6 ,which will bring the association to a stronger position. International Association Of Holiday Inns 2004 –present .Express committee. IAHI /IHG GE Leadership institute 2004 inaugural class. Many of the organizations he works with have recognized him professionally for his active involvement. The members of the Oregon Lodging Association presented him with the Innkeeper of the Year award in 1995. The Super 8 organization has presented him with a Top 8 Award. He has received several chairmen’s and directors awards for his involvement with Best Western as well as the 2004 Governor’s Award. In 1995 he also received the Key Person Award from AHMPAC for Oregon. MVP award from the AH&LA in 1998. The Multicultural and Foodservice Alliance awarded him the Ernest Royal Award in 2004 for his service to the Hospitality Industry. AAHOA Award of Excellence 2005. Association of Communal Harmony community service award 2005. Oregon Lodging Association Community Service Award 2005. AH&LA Lawson Odde award for dedication to the association and partner state association. Throughout the growth of his business and professional career, he has remained an active participant in the communities where he operates. Local schools and sports teams benefit from his sponsorship. Community leaders work with him to promote tourism in the communities which benefits everyone. |