Hawkeye Hotels' President Ravi Patel Announces Run for United States Congress
On Monday Ravi Patel, President and Principal of Hawkeye Hotels, announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives. If elected, he would be Iowa's first minority representative in Congress.
The Patel name is no stranger to the hotel industry, a space where many Indian American families have found a considerable amount of success; however, in the world of national politics, the Patel name, and Indian Americans as a whole, have yet to break through in a major way. Save for Dr. Vivek Murthy's recent confirmation as United States Surgeon General, and Bobby Jindal's gubernatorial victory in Louisiana, Indian Americans have been historically underrepresented in American politics. A victory for Patel in his bid for Congress would make him the first hotelier to gain high office in this country.
The son of two immigrants from Gujarat, Ravi took over the family business shortly after graduating from the University of Iowa's Tippie School of Business. In the midst of the credit crisis of 2008, Ravi was able to transform the small enterprise into one of the fastest growing family-owned hotel companies in the country. With a portfolio of institutional grade hotels that span nearly two dozen states, Hawkeye Hotels has become a major player in the world of hospitality.
"I'm hoping to bring the skills and knowledge I've gained while at the helm of Hawkeye Hotels to Congress," said Patel. "We've got enough politicians in Washington. I think it's time we look to our leaders in other fields to bring the sort of innovative change that will benefit us all."
In addition to running the family company, Patel is also one of the Midwest's most prolific angel investors and startup mentors, providing seed capital to early stage companies working to innovate their respective industries. Through Built by Iowa – a private equity fund he co-founded – Patel has invested in over 20 startups that are transforming education, healthcare, sustainability, and non-profits.
Promising a pro-growth agenda with a pragmatic approach to business, many executives in the hotel industry are welcoming his candidacy. "I've known Ravi for many years. He is certainly one of the most well-respected leaders in hospitality, and we'd be lucky to have a champion of our interests in Congress," said Pratik Patel Chairman of AAHOA and Principal at REM Hospitality.
Hawkeye Hotels recently acquired seven additional Marriott and Hilton properties located around the country, as well as the recent purchase of the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines located in the state's
capitol city of Des Moines. Ravi serves on the IHG Owner's Association Emerging Leaders Council and Legislative Action Committee and the University of Iowa College of Business Alumni Board among others. To learn more about how you can get involved and contribute to Ravi's campaign, visit www.patelforiowa.com or https://www.facebook.com/patelforiowa
