The IHG Owners Association appointed Mark Zipperer as the chair of its Global Board of Directors for 2025. Zipperer is the president and CEO of Pride Hospitality, based in Germantown, Tenn., which he founded in 1998 to operate three hotels he developed in Sheboygan and Brown Deer, Wis. Pride currently manages a portfolio of hotels representing most major brands.
Zipperer began his career in 1982 as a management trainee at the Holiday Inn South in Milwaukee and the Holiday Inn Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. He has since held several corporate executive roles, including serving as director of franchise services for the Central U.S. and Latin America at IHG. Zipperer's involvement with the Association began in 1997, and he rejoined the Global Board of Directors in 2020 after previously serving for six years. He has chaired the Americas Regional Council and the Technology, Holiday Inn Express and Operations Committees.
"I am honored to serve as chair of the IHG Owners Association as this historic organization celebrates its 70th anniversary," Zipperer said in a statement. "Together with the Global Board and the Association's management team, we will focus on positioning our members for success, promoting collaboration and ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our industry. Additionally, I will be driving a focus on philanthropic programs and partnerships, including our long-standing relationship with Give Kids The World."
John Muehlbauer, CEO of the association, praised Zipperer's experience and dedication to owners. "Mark's extensive background in hotel management and his leadership in the Association make him an ideal advocate for our members worldwide. I am confident his tenure as chair will continue to drive meaningful progress and value for IHG hotel owners."
The IHG Owners Association also names its 2025 Global Board of Directors:
- Mark Zipperer, chair—president and CEO, Pride Hospitality, LLC
- Prakash Maggan, chair elect and AMER member at large—principal and CFO, Rainmaker Hospitality
- Euan McGlashan, treasurer and AMER member at marge—co-founder and CEO, Valor Hospitality
- Juan Carlos Alvarez, secretary and AMER member at large—CEO, Holiday Inn Buenavista
- Deepesh Kholwadwala, past chair committee representative—president and CEO, Sun Capital Hotels
- Susan Bland, EMEAA officer representative and Europe member at large—director, ESG, RBH Hospitality Management
- Nellie Dhanji, immediate past chair advisor—vice president of operations and legal counsel, Stanley Park Investments Ltd.
- John Muehlbauer, IHG Owners Association CEO
- Vijay Patel, AMER regional representative—president, A-1 Hospitality Group
- Simon Teasdale, Europe regional representative—CEO, LGH Hotels Management Ltd.
- Rodger Powell, MEAA regional representative—managing director, Tourism & Hospitality Services AustralAsia (THSA)
- Dhaval Brahmbhatt, AMER member at large—principal, hotel operations and asset management, Prominence Hospitality Group
- Shazma Charania, AMER member at large—president, Zainul & Shazma (ZS) Holdings
- Asad Malik, AMER member at large—president and CEO, Amerilodge Group
- Manish Patel, AMER member at large – CEO, MKP Management, Inc.
- Juan Carlos Rodo, AMER member at large – vice president of operations, Grupo Marta Hospitality
- Rick Williams, AMER member at large – vice president of operations, Williams Investment Company
- Jolyon Bulley, IHG Representative – CEO, IHG Americas
The IHG Owners Association, originally established by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson in 1955, is a global, not-for-profit organization represents the interests of more than 5,000 owners of IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) properties around the world.