Dr. Jay S. Patel–CHA is a highly accomplished entrepreneur with a focus on innovation, creativity, risk-taking, organizational management, education, and real estate development, particularly in construction management. His extensive volunteer work and expertise have made significant contributions to multiple national organizations, communities, and the betterment of society at large. As a dedicated and visionary leader, Dr. Patel has dedicated countless hours to philanthropy, community service, and industry advancement.

 

He is an esteemed early member of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Over the course of more than three decades of volunteering, he has played a pivotal role in uniting thousands of Asian American hoteliers. His efforts have contributed to the evolution of AAHOA into the world's largest hotel association, representing over 60% of all hotels in the United States and Canada, totaling over 26,000 hotel members. Dr. Patel continues to serve as a franchise policy adviser to the leadership of AAHOA, providing valuable insights and guidance.

 

Dr. Patel is a distinguished author, having penned "Franchising Is It Fair? How to Negotiate an Equitable Franchise Agreement!" The book addresses the complexities of franchising within the Hospitality industry. Recognizing the potential pitfalls of franchising, especially for hoteliers and franchisees, Mr. Patel embarked on a mission to communicate and educate them about these challenges. His dedication to teaching is evident through his donated thousands of copies of the book, reaching existing and potential franchisees, as well as hospitality students nationwide. Mr. Patel's expertise extends to his roles as the two-term Chairman of the Franchise & Industry Relations Committee and recently the Franchise Standards Committee. Notably, he co-authored the introduction to the hospitality industry in 1998 of the renowned AAHOA 12 points of Fair Franchising. The latest iteration in 2022, the 12-point fair franchising educational primer, represents the culmination of his efforts to drive significant change in the industry's franchising business practices.

 

Dr. Patel's extensive volunteer services to the State of Florida span over a decade and have earned him three gubernatorial appointments. He has served as a Trustee to the University of West Florida and as the Governor to the Florida State University Systems Board of Governors.

Florida's public university system includes twelve universities with an enrollment of more than 300,000 students, more than 60,000 faculty and staff, and an annual operating budget of more than $8.5 billion.

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In addition to his other appointments, Dr. Patel has previously held an appointment to the Higher Education Coordinating Council (HECC). The primary function of HECC was to advise and recommend education policies to various entities, including the Florida Senate, the House, the Governor, the Florida Education Commission, the Board of Governors, and the State College System. This role involves contributing to the formulation and improvement of education policies within the State of Florida.

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Currently, he continues to represent the Board of Governors at the Institute of Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC). IHMC's primary focus is on investigating and refining various fields such as artificial intelligence, augmentics, human-centered computing, robotics, exoskeletons, health, resilience, and performance. The institute collaborates extensively with industry and government to develop science and technology that can enable advancements in society's broader goals. IHMC researchers receive funding from a wide range of government and private sources, including organizations like DARPA, NSF, NASA, Army, Navy, Air Force, NIH, IARPA, DOT, IDEO, Raytheon, IBM, Microsoft, Rockwell Collins, Boeing, Lockheed, and SAIC, among others.

 

 

 

Dr. Patel is also the co-founder of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers (NABHOOD). He has played a significant role in assisting African Americans in acquiring more than 2600 hotels, making them a major presence in the hospitality industry. This initiative reflects efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the hotel ownership and operation sector.

 

In early 2010, Dr. Patel was elected to serve on the National Board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Founded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957, the SCLC is dedicated to preserving and enhancing civil and human rights through non-violence. Mr. Patel's role on the National Board involved applying the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi to promote non-violence in the hospitality industry. Today, Mr. Patel is credited for his focus on helping preserve civil and human rights through non-violence principles within the hospitality sector.

 

H.E. Dr. Jay S. Patel has recently been designated to the United Nations (UN) and is currently serving as a UN Peace Ambassador. He holds a special consultative status at the International Consulting Cabinet (ICC), enabling him to recommend, promote, and carry out the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) policies as assigned.

 

H.E. Dr. Patel has received several recognitions and honors for his numerous accomplishments, including three Honorary Doctorates. These accolades acknowledge his contributions to education, theology, and the hospitality industry, earning him the industry-recognized name "Dr. Jay." Over the years, Mr. Patel has been the recipient of multiple industry-recognized awards from various national organizations. These awards include the prestigious Outstanding Service Award, The Award of Excellence, The Spirit Award, The Strategic Partnership Award, and most recently, The Hispanic Industry Leadership Award from the International Hispanic Meeting Professional and the National Congress of Black Women's Dick Gregory Good Brother Award.

 

H.E. Dr. Patel has been honored with the prestigious White House Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Volunteer Service Medal from President Joe Biden. This recognition highlights Dr. Patel's lifetime commitment to building a strong nation through his extensive volunteer services.

 

Dr. Patel has dedicated his life to giving back to his community, industry, and country. Over several decades, he has been a beacon of hope and inspiration in the hospitality and franchise industry, tirelessly volunteering his time, skills, and resources to uplift people and their businesses.

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As a pioneer in promoting continuous learning and professional development in the hospitality and franchise sector, Dr. Patel has organized numerous workshops, seminars, and training programs. These initiatives have equipped professionals with the latest skills and knowledge to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving marketplace, especially in franchising. His efforts have not only boosted the productivity and profitability of businesses but have also enhanced the career prospects of many individuals.

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At the national level, Dr. Patel has been a strong advocate for franchise reform. Working closely with policymakers, he has contributed to improving the quality of franchise practices, ensuring better-informed decisions for both prospective and existing franchisees. While receiving several awards and honors for his contributions, Dr. Patel's true reward lies in witnessing the positive impact of his work on people's lives.

 

His unwavering commitment to teaching on franchising and learning has left a profound impact on his community, industry, and country. Dr. Patel's selfless service serves as a testament to his belief in the power of education to transform lives and societies. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations to give back and contribute to making the world a better place.

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Dr. Patel is actively engaged in steering the hospitality industry into the 21st century by exploring, endorsing, and implementing diverse blockchain technologies and platforms. His focus extends to intricate reservation systems, payment mechanisms, evaluation processes, and intelligent monitoring systems. The overarching goal of this model is to digitally monetize the hospitality industry's most underperforming assets within hotels. Through his efforts, Dr. Patel seeks to bring about innovative transformations and advancements in the hospitality sector, leveraging the potential of blockchain platform to enhance efficiency and profitability.

 

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