It was just a few weeks ago that I shared news from AAHOA about the terrible September murder of a motel manager in Dallas. His name: Chandra Nagamallaiah. The attack took place in front of his wife and son. The conflict reportedly began with a coworker over a broken washing machine. That slaying came on the heels of the 2024 murders of hoteliers Hemant Mistry in Oklahoma City and Pravin R. Patel in Sheffield, Ala.
As if those slayings were not enough, I learned from AAHOA that in the span of just 72 hours last week, three more hoteliers were killed—two in Charlotte, N.C., and one in Pittsburgh. Anilkumar Patel and Pankaj Patel were fatally shot in Charlotte, with a suspect now charged and in custody, while Rakesh Ehagaban was shot and killed in Pittsburgh in an incident in which a police officer also was shot along with the suspect.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims. They are going to need a lot of love, light and support. There is of course no place for this type of violence in our industry and more specifically within the Indian American community.
Senseless Tragedies
“Our hearts break for the families of those who lost their lives in these senseless tragedies,” says AAHOA Chair Kamalesh (KP) Patel. “No one should ever face such danger while working to serve guests and support their families. These horrifying incidents are a critical wake-up call for law enforcement, policymakers, and the broader hospitality industry. AAHOA stands ready to collaborate with every level of government to confront this violence and protect the men and women who keep America’s hotels open and our communities thriving.”
“We are deeply shaken and resolute in our response,” AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake said. “Hotel owners and operators are the backbone of America’s hospitality industry, and their safety must be an absolute priority. AAHOA will immediately convene safety and security experts, coordinate with local authorities, and provide hotel owners with practical tools and resources to strengthen protection measures across their properties. Together, we will honor those we’ve lost by ensuring their tragedies lead to meaningful and lasting change.”
Actionable Guidance
Following the September homicide, AAHOA hosted a dedicated virtual learning session providing actionable guidance to hotel owners and operators. The session covered proven steps to strengthen security, perform due diligence, and mitigate the risk of crime, as well as ways to support teams in processing trauma, accessing counseling resources, and feeling secure at work.
Last month I listed a collection of articles from AAHOA’s Today’s Hotelier magazine that address safety and security. Click here to access them.
Together, these murders may not qualify as a mass murder event, but the impact is just as jarring. Let this be a wakeup call for all in our industry. An attack on one of us is an attack on us all. Sometimes you just can’t stop someone hellbent on hurting you, but you can be much more prepared than you are now.
Your thoughts? I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Green Lodging News Welcomes The Sofidel Group as Founding Sponsor
Green Lodging News welcomes The Sofidel Group as a Founding Sponsor. The Sofidel Group is a privately held company owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families and recognized globally as a leader in the tissue paper industry. Founded in 1966 in Lucca, Italy, Sofidel produces a wide range of hygienic and domestic paper products designed to improve everyday life, including toilet tissue, paper towels, napkins, and facial tissue. Its well-known brands—such as Papernet for the Away-From-Home (AFH) market—deliver high-quality, reliable solutions for workplaces, healthcare, hospitality, education, and public facilities.
Operating in 13 countries and employing more than 6,000 people worldwide, Sofidel combines innovation and sustainability to create value for both customers and the planet. With over $2 billion in annual net sales, the company continually invests in advanced technologies and production processes that enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Sustainability is at the core of Sofidel’s business strategy. Through initiatives that reduce CO₂ emissions, water consumption, and energy use, Sofidel has made measurable progress toward its ambitious environmental goals. The company prioritizes responsibly sourced raw materials, with 100 percent of its pulp certified by major forest certification programs. Its “Less is More” philosophy drives a continuous commitment to minimizing waste, developing eco-efficient products, and supporting a circular economy.
Call (215) 964-0970 or e-mail giorgia.giove@sofidel.com for more information.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers, and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
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Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes the Wednesday Green Supplier Spotlight and Thursday Green Suppliers Spotlight. Green Supplier Spotlight features just one vendor and Green Suppliers Spotlight features multiple vendors. Click here for a Green Supplier Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Both e-blasts that reach 17,860 subscribers have been built to generate quick leads. A report is sent a week after each e-blast that includes the number of e-mails sent, number of opens, and number of click-throughs. Contact Glenn Hasek at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com for more information.
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