H.P. Rama, Chairman and CEO of JHM Hotels, Receives the Above & Beyond Award at the 19th Annual 2013 Lodging Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
Greenville, SC (PRWEB) October 09, 2013 -- When asked what winning this award meant to him, Rama said, “It symbolizes realizing the American Dream and sharing it with the people who helped us achieve it.” Rama spoke about his life and career saying, “It’s important to give back to the community because when we’re building our own success in life, on our way to realize those dreams, somebody helped us and contributed to our success.”
Harry Javer, Founder and President of The Conference Bureau and Co-Founder of The Lodging Conference said, “Rama follows a line of prestigious hoteliers in receiving the award that recognizes industry leaders who have made a positive impact on people’s lives through selfless giving.”
Fred Schwartz, President of Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) said, “Our award winner is an Entrepreneur, Humanitarian, Innovator, Pioneer, Advocate and today our honoree adds another title to his impressive list of accomplishments and awards namely as winner of the Lodging Conference’s prestigious Above and Beyond Award.”
JHM Hotels has always had a giving culture and outreach program to positively impact education, poverty relief, and community enrichment. The Ramas have also served the global community, adopting a village in India providing houses, medical services, a primary school and a water purification plant. Rama also stated, “The hospitality industry is in a unique position to help communities in which they do business. Hotels have visibility, resources, and service minded staff. JHM employees are encouraged to participate in community-service projects. Our vision is to share our resources with others. Associates who participate in our outreach efforts feel a great sense of personal fulfillment.”
Michael Leven, President and COO of Las Vegas Sands Corp. said, “I’ve seen HP for all these years lead his people in a way that most of us in this business don’t ever have the opportunity to do. Everything with HP is about ethics, everything is about his religion, everything is about the way he handles himself personally, he’s a great man and he deserves this great award for what he has done not only for the hospitability industry but for his people.”
Education has always been hugely important to Rama. In 1998, JHM established the Rama Scholarship for the American Dream, which gives scholarships to minority students wanting to pursue a career in hospitality, and he has also funded scholarships for the children of firefighters and police officers. Rama said, “We felt like they are the ones that put their lives on the line to help protect and provide safety to the community.” The Rama Family created Auro University in Surat, India. It is a private university in Surat, serving over 350 students in four programs: business, law, IT and hospitality management. Rama, who serves as the University president, spends his time to promote a mission to help students on self-discovery and self-mastery. “I have always believed that through education we can empower an individual to become self-sufficient for a lifetime.”
In addition to serving his community, H.P. has also given back to the hospitality community. He served as the chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association as well as the founding chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners’ Association.
Heather Meadors, Director of Community Relations, JHM Hotels, http://www.jhmhotels.com, +1 864-248-1568, [email protected]
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