Their paths to success may have been different. Some took the reigns as head of families who worked in the hospitality business for generations. Others worked their way up the corporate ladder, one even starting out as a bellhop and another as a dishwasher, gaining experience and honing their skills over decades on their respective journeys to the executive suite.

One thing is for sure: all are titans of the hotel sector and their decisions have created jobs and wealth here in the United States and in major markets worldwide. The following are Real Estate Forum's Top Icons in the hotel sector: 

Archie Bennett Jr.

Jon Bortz

Sam Chang

Eric Danziger

Jack DeBoer

Benjamin “Patrick” Denihan Jr.

Jeffrey Fisher

Jonathan Gray

Robert L. Johnson

Stephen P. Joyce

Richard M. Kelleher

Richard C. Kessler

Richard Marriott

Joseph A. McInerney

Christopher J. Nassetta

Marilyn Carlson Nelson

Robert D. Olson

Leland C. Pillsbury

Thomas Pritzker

Hasmukh P. “H.P.” Rama

Ian Schrager

Horst Schulze

Hasu P. Shah

Isadore Sharp

Arne Sorenson

Barry S. Sternlicht

Jonathan Tisch

Bruce White

C. Kemmons “Kem” Wilson Jr.

Len Wolman

 

To read the profiles of these lodging legends, go to the January 2013 issue of Real Estate Forum online.

 

 

 

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