NEWS & AWARDS

In this Executive Spotlight, Terry Lavey, Vice President of Operations at Brittain Resorts & Hotels, shares his inspiring journey from dishwasher to executive leader, emphasizing the power of perseverance, emotional intelligence, and balanced leadership rooted in service, culture, and trust.

As we move through 2025, the hospitality industry is shifting into a new gear. From investment conferences to brand advisory meetings, three recent gatherings—the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), and Marriott’s Joint Advisory Board (JAB) for Select-Service Brands—provided a powerful snapshot of where we are and where we’re headed. The consensus? It’s time to rise above the ordinary and lean into the strategies that will shape hospitality’s next chapter.

In the winter of 2024, Brittain Resorts & Hotels officially took over management of the Provident Hotels & Resorts portfolio—eight properties located across some of Florida’s most competitive and desirable markets. While the transition is still in its early stages, the results are already speaking for themselves.

The 2025 Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) provided a pulse check on where the hotel industry stands and where it’s headed. While challenges remain, the prevailing sentiment was one of cautious optimism, with signs of a more stable and active year ahead.

In this Q&A, Steve Jones, Vice President of Operations at Brittain Resorts & Hotels, reflects on his journey from Air Force Colonel to hospitality executive, sharing leadership lessons on integrity, calm under pressure, and the power of service-driven careers.