Thom Geshay Brings Management Expertise to AHLA Vice Chair Role

Davidson Hospitality Group CEO discusses industry trends, leadership best practices, and AHLA's advocacy efforts in 2026.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Thom Geshay, president and CEO of Davidson Hospitality Group, has been named the 2026 Vice Chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Geshay brings over 30 years of hospitality management experience to the role, having worked his way up from a bellman position to now leading one of the industry's top management companies. In this interview, Geshay discusses key industry trends, his leadership philosophy, and the outlook for AHLA's advocacy work in the year ahead.

Why it matters

Geshay's appointment as AHLA Vice Chair provides the association with valuable management company expertise as it navigates industry challenges and opportunities. As a long-time hospitality veteran, Geshay offers a unique perspective on issues facing hotel operators, which will help guide AHLA's policy and advocacy efforts.

The details

Geshay's hospitality career began unexpectedly when he took a summer job as a bellman at a Holiday Inn in Asheville, North Carolina before college. He then worked various hotel positions while attending school, eventually joining IBM after graduation. However, Geshay soon returned to hospitality, accepting a job managing a nightclub for Davidson Hospitality Group. Over the past 30+ years, Geshay has risen through the ranks at Davidson, now serving as president and CEO. In his new role as AHLA Vice Chair, Geshay plans to leverage his management expertise to support the association's advocacy work on behalf of the entire hotel industry.

  • Geshay has served in leadership roles at Davidson Hospitality Group since 1988.
  • Geshay was named 2026 AHLA Vice Chair.

The players

Thom Geshay

President and chief executive officer at Davidson Hospitality Group, where he has served in leadership roles since 1988.

Liam Brown

2026 AHLA Chair.

Gregg Adams

Oversaw all of the hotels in the region for Davidson at the time, and offered Geshay a job managing a nightclub.

American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

The national voice of the hotel industry, leading advocacy and policy efforts.

Davidson Hospitality Group

A leading hotel management company where Geshay has worked for over 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“AHLA is the national voice of our industry, and as the landscape continues to evolve, hoteliers have an opportunity to reinvigorate and refresh the narrative.”

— Thom Geshay, President and CEO, Davidson Hospitality Group (lodgingmagazine.com)

“AHLA has fantastic momentum coming out of 2025. The mega-events of 2026 will put the spotlight on our industry in a way that will give us even more opportunity to tell our story.”

— Thom Geshay, President and CEO, Davidson Hospitality Group (lodgingmagazine.com)

What’s next

Geshay will work closely with AHLA Chair Liam Brown in 2026 to guide the association's advocacy efforts and help the hotel industry capitalize on major events like the World Cup and America250 celebrations.

The takeaway

Thom Geshay's appointment as AHLA Vice Chair underscores the value of management company expertise in shaping the industry's policy agenda. His decades of experience leading a top hospitality group will be an asset as AHLA works to amplify the hotel industry's positive impact on local communities and the national economy.