Speaker: M. Jay H. Shah ’90, Chief Executive Officer

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Jay H. Shah is Hersha Hospitality Trust’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of Hersha Hospitality Trust’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Shah is involved in all areas of the business with a particular emphasis on strategic relationships, capital transactions, asset management, and acquisitions.

Hersha Hospitality Trust (HT) is a self-advised real estate investment trust in the hospitality sector, which owns and operates high quality upscale hotels in urban gateway markets. The Company’s 50 hotels totaling 7,584 rooms are located in New York, Washington, DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and select markets on the West Coast. The Company’s shares are traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “HT”.

Mr. Shah is also on on the Board of Directors of HHM, an independent hotel operating and private equity investment company. ​HHM operates 120 hotels across the U.S. for institutional owners. HHM has demonstrated, best in class capabilities in independent, lifestyle, and luxury hotels and is a preferred operator for Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Intercontinental Hotels full and limited service brands. HHM is one of the nation’s largest operators and brings to bear significant efficiencies through its clustered portfolio.

Prior to joining Hersha, Mr. Shah formed Shah & Byler, LLP, a Philadelphia-based law firm specializing in real estate and construction. Earlier, Mr. Shah was also a consultant at the former Coopers & Lybrand LLP, now PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Shah served as a legislative assistant to the late Senator John Heinz on Capitol Hill and has also worked with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office.

Mr. Shah most recently served on the Board of Trustees of The Episcopal Academy and presently serves on Cornell University Dean’s Advisory Board for the School of Hotel Administration. He is also a member of the Dean’s Council for Temple University Fox School of Business, Urban Land Institute’s Hotel Development Council, American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Board of Directors, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Board of Trustees, the Philadelphia CEO Council for Growth, Young Presidents’ Organization, the Chief Executives Organization, and the President’s Leadership Council for Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health.Mr. Shah earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, an MBA from the Temple University Fox School of Business, and a Law degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law.