Choice Hotels Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Choice Hotels has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, marketing, finance, operations, human resources, and brand management.

Driven by a commitment to value and quality, Choice Hotels provides diverse lodging options across the United States and internationally, catering to both business and leisure travelers with a broad spectrum of hotel segments.

Leadership Roles at Choice Hotels

  • Chairman and CEO - Hdiji Chahir
  • Chief Financial Officer - Scott Oaksmith
  • President - Jason Anderson
  • President - Sadru Khimani
  • Comfort Inn the President - Ramesh Semwal
  • President & Senior VP, Upscale Extended Stay Brands & , Development - David Pepper
  • President - J.R. Patel
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Noah Abdalla
  • Chief Human Resource Officer - Patrick Cimerola
  • Hdiji Chahir - Chairman and CEO

    Hdiji Chahir, the Chairman and CEO at Choice Hotels, directs the overarching corporate strategy and global operations. This leadership role involves setting the vision for the company's expansion across limited-service to full-service hotels in upscale, midscale, extended-stay, and economy segments. Chahir guides the executive team in identifying new market opportunities and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, high-value lodging options. The Chairman and CEO's responsibilities include fostering innovation within the franchise model and maintaining strong relationships with hotel owners. This executive drives the company's financial performance and market positioning, ensuring Choice Hotels remains a leader in the global lodging industry. Hdiji Chahir's strategic direction underpins the company's commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences and maximizing shareholder value.

    Scott Oaksmith - Chief Financial Officer

    Scott Oaksmith, the Chief Financial Officer at Choice Hotels, manages the company's financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, and capital allocation. This critical role involves overseeing all financial operations, ensuring fiscal responsibility across the organization's extensive network of franchised properties. The Chief Financial Officer directs financial planning and analysis, investor relations, and risk management to support sustainable growth. Oaksmith's expertise is vital in evaluating investment opportunities and optimizing financial performance across the various hotel segments, from economy to upscale. By maintaining robust financial controls and transparent reporting, Scott Oaksmith ensures the company's stability and its ability to deliver high-value lodging options. This executive's strategic financial guidance is fundamental to Choice Hotels' ongoing success and international expansion.
    Scott Oaksmith

    Jason Anderson - President

    Jason Anderson, the President at Choice Hotels, drives operational excellence and strategic initiatives across key business units. This leadership position involves overseeing the performance and growth of specific hotel segments, ensuring alignment with the company's overall mission of providing high-quality, high-value lodging. The President focuses on enhancing the guest experience and supporting franchise partners through effective operational strategies. Anderson's responsibilities include fostering innovation in service delivery and operational efficiency within the extensive network of Choice-branded properties. By collaborating with other executives, Jason Anderson ensures that operational strategies contribute directly to the company's market leadership and international presence. This executive's focus on execution is paramount to delivering consistent value to travelers and owners alike.

    Sadru Khimani - President

    Sadru Khimani, the President at Choice Hotels, spearheads initiatives focused on franchise development and owner relations, crucial for expanding the company's global footprint. This role emphasizes building and maintaining strong partnerships with hotel owners, ensuring their success within the Choice Hotels system. The President oversees strategies designed to attract new franchisees and support existing ones, thereby enhancing the portfolio of limited-service to full-service properties. Khimani's leadership ensures that development efforts align with the company's commitment to offering diverse, high-value lodging options. By driving strategic growth and operational support for franchisees, Sadru Khimani plays a pivotal role in extending Choice Hotels' reach across domestic and international markets. This executive's efforts directly contribute to the company's sustained expansion and market penetration.

    Ramesh Semwal - Comfort Inn the President

    Ramesh Semwal, the Comfort Inn the President at Choice Hotels, directs the strategic vision and operational performance specifically for the Comfort Inn brand. This specialized leadership role involves enhancing the guest experience and driving profitability for Comfort Inn properties, a key segment within the company's portfolio. The Comfort Inn the President oversees brand standards, marketing initiatives, and operational support tailored to this specific brand's market positioning. Semwal's focus is on ensuring that Comfort Inn hotels consistently deliver high-quality, high-value lodging options to travelers. By implementing targeted strategies, Ramesh Semwal strengthens the brand's competitive advantage and contributes to the overall success of Choice Hotels' midscale offerings. This executive's dedication to the Comfort Inn brand is integral to its continued growth and guest satisfaction.

    David Pepper - President & Senior VP, Upscale Extended Stay Brands & , Development

    David Pepper, the President & Senior VP, Upscale Extended Stay Brands & Development at Choice Hotels, leads the strategic growth and operational oversight for the company's upscale extended-stay portfolio. This multifaceted role involves identifying new development opportunities and enhancing the performance of existing upscale extended-stay properties. The President & Senior VP, Upscale Extended Stay Brands & Development focuses on market expansion and ensuring these brands meet the evolving needs of travelers seeking longer-term accommodations. Pepper's leadership drives innovation in property development and brand positioning within the competitive upscale segment. By cultivating strategic partnerships and overseeing development pipelines, David Pepper significantly contributes to Choice Hotels' presence in key markets and its ability to offer diverse, high-value lodging solutions. This executive's efforts are central to expanding the company's upscale offerings.

    J.R. Patel - President

    J.R. Patel, the President at Choice Hotels, drives strategic growth and operational effectiveness within designated areas of the company's vast hotel network. This leadership role involves overseeing the performance of specific brand segments or geographic regions, ensuring alignment with Choice Hotels' commitment to delivering high-quality, high-value lodging. The President focuses on enhancing franchise partner success and optimizing property performance through robust operational frameworks. Patel's responsibilities include identifying market opportunities and implementing strategies that support the diverse needs of business and leisure travelers. By fostering strong relationships with owners and stakeholders, J.R. Patel contributes significantly to the expansion and reputation of Choice Hotels internationally and domestically. This executive's dedication to operational excellence underpins the company's consistent delivery of value.

    Noah Abdalla - Chief Marketing Officer

    Noah Abdalla, the Chief Marketing Officer at Choice Hotels, architects and executes comprehensive marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility and drive guest acquisition. This role focuses on developing targeted campaigns that resonate with both business and leisure travelers across the diverse portfolio of Choice-branded properties. The Chief Marketing Officer oversees all aspects of brand management, digital marketing, loyalty programs, and public relations to ensure consistent messaging and brand positioning. Abdalla's leadership ensures that marketing efforts directly support the company's mission of providing high-value lodging options. By analyzing market trends and consumer behavior, Noah Abdalla optimizes marketing spend and identifies new avenues for growth, strengthening Choice Hotels' competitive edge in the international and domestic markets. This executive's work directly impacts revenue generation through increased bookings and brand loyalty.

    Patrick Cimerola - Chief Human Resource Officer

    Patrick Cimerola, the Chief Human Resource Officer at Choice Hotels, directs all human capital strategies to support the company's extensive workforce and franchise operations. This role is critical in fostering a positive and productive work environment across all levels of the organization, from corporate headquarters to individual hotel staff. The Chief Human Resource Officer oversees talent acquisition, employee development, compensation and benefits, and organizational culture initiatives. Cimerola's leadership ensures that Choice Hotels attracts and retains top talent, essential for delivering high-quality guest experiences and maintaining operational excellence. By championing employee engagement and development programs, Patrick Cimerola strengthens the company's ability to execute its mission of providing high-value lodging options. This executive's focus on people is fundamental to Choice Hotels' sustained success and growth.
    Patrick Cimerola

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Choice Hotels Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Choice Hotels?
    Choice Hotels is led by Hdiji Chahir (Chairman and CEO), along with executives such as Scott Oaksmith (Chief Financial Officer) and Jason Anderson (President).
    Who is part of Choice Hotels’s executive team?
    The executive team of Choice Hotels includes leaders such as Hdiji Chahir (Chairman and CEO), Scott Oaksmith (Chief Financial Officer), Jason Anderson (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Choice Hotels have?
    Choice Hotels has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Choice Hotels’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Choice Hotels includes roles such as Chairman and CEO, Chief Financial Officer, President, President, Comfort Inn the President.