ARBOR LODGING LEADERSHIP

Vamsi Bonthala is co-founder of Arbor Lodging and CEO of its investment arm, Arbor Lodging Partners. He leads all investment and strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, asset management, corporate growth, and investor relations. Since founding the company, Vamsi has overseen more than $1 billion in transaction volume.

Prior to Arbor, he practiced law in the Private Equity group of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and the Real Estate group of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Vamsi holds an AB in Economics and Political Science and a JD from the University of Michigan Law School. He is active across several leadership organizations including World Business Chicago, YPO, the AHLA Investment Roundtable, the Economic Club of Chicago, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He is also a member of the Michigan Economics Leadership Council. Vamsi has also been recognized as a Notable Leader in Finance by Crain's Chicago Business and one of Real Estate Forum Magazine's "50 Under 40".

Sheenal Patel is one of the co-founders of Arbor Lodging and CEO of Arbor Lodging Management, where he leads the company’s operations, corporate strategy, capital improvement programs, and talent development initiatives. His leadership continues to shape the company’s growth, culture, and national footprint.

Prior to Arbor Lodging, Sheenal was Vice President at Related Capital Company, where he originated and oversaw approximately $800 million in tax-exempt bond transactions for LIHTC multifamily developments. He began his career in investment banking at CIBC World Markets in the Leveraged Finance Group.

Sheenal holds a BA in Economics with a Minor in Mathematics from the University of Michigan and completed the General Course program in Mathematics at the London School of Economics. Deeply committed to community impact, he serves on the Executive Board of Street Samaritans, a nonprofit supporting Chicago’s homeless population.

As Chief Investment Officer of Arbor Lodging Partners, Kevin Down leads the firm’s investment team and oversees acquisitions, developments, asset management, and Arbor’s growing credit platform focused on hotel debt and preferred equity originations. He plays a central role in sourcing opportunities, managing deal closings, negotiating transaction terms, and guiding Arbor’s long-term growth strategy.

Since joining Arbor in 2012, Kevin has built strong relationships across the brokerage community, institutional investor groups, and capital partners.

Prior to Arbor, Kevin worked at Paramount Lodging Advisors and Integra Realty Resources. He holds a BS from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and earned his MBA in Real Estate Finance and Investment from DePaul University, graduating with Distinction.

Brett Kennedy is Chief Operating Officer at Arbor Lodging Management, where he oversees hotel operations, sales, and revenue management across the company’s growing portfolio. With over 20 years of experience in operational and sales leadership, Brett brings a unique blend of corporate expertise and entrepreneurial agility.

Before joining Arbor, Brett held leadership roles at Best Buy Co., Inc. and served as Vice President of Sales & Operations for one of T-Mobile’s top-performing dealers. There, he led the acquisition of 12 companies over five years, scaling the business from 200 to 450 stores and overseeing more than 4,000 employees in 32 states.

Known for instilling cultures of excellence, Brett has driven results by aligning operational teams with strategy, digital innovation, and strong internal support functions. His success stems from his ability to meet partners and teams where they are—creating trust, clarity, and sustainable growth.

As Chief Human Resources Officer at Arbor Lodging Management, Gina Schuster oversees HR for the national portfolio and Chicago corporate office—covering employee relations, labor strategy, talent development, and organizational alignment. A key member of the Executive Committee, she plays a strategic role in shaping workplace culture and guiding people-first growth across the company.

Gina previously held senior HR positions at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, including the Sheraton Grand Chicago, where she supported 800+ team members with a focus on executive leadership, recruitment, and labor relations. She most recently served as Director of HR at The McCrone Group, where she built and scaled HR systems to match organizational vision.

She holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University and is an active member of SHRM, AHLA, HELRA, and NAPW.

Neil is a seasoned hospitality executive with over 25 years of industry experience, bringing deep operational expertise and strategic leadership to his role at Arbor Lodging. Prior to joining the team, Neil served as Vice President of Operations for the Full-Service Division at Aimbridge Hospitality, where he played a pivotal role in driving performance and overseeing a diverse portfolio of properties which included major hotel brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG Hotels.

During his impressive 22-year tenure at Aimbridge, Neil rose through the ranks by consistently delivering results and demonstrating a dynamic, people-focused leadership style. He led numerous hotel openings and oversaw complex renovation projects, including the successful launches of the Canopy by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Central Loop.

Recognized for his innovative approach and operational excellence, Neil was named one of Hotel Management Magazine’s “GMs to Watch,” a testament to his impact on the industry and his dedication to excellence in guest experience and team development.


As Senior Vice President of Finance at Arbor Lodging Management, Lance Williams oversees all accounting and finance functions across the portfolio. He brings 15 years of hospitality finance experience and a strong track record of improving systems, streamlining reporting, and driving organizational efficiency.

Lance has held both property-level and corporate finance roles at True North Hotel Group and Hotel Phillips Curio Collection, where he led financial strategy and supported operational performance. Since joining Arbor’s Chicago office, he’s implemented significant process improvements, strengthened internal controls, and led automation initiatives that improved decision-making and cost management.

Known for his data-driven mindset and collaborative leadership, Lance partners closely with ownership, lenders, and investors to align financial strategy with business goals.