Farouk Rajab, President and CEO, RI Hospitality Association.
A new era of advocacy set to begin
From Staff Reports
The RI Hospitality Association (RIHA) announced that industry veteran Farouk Rajab has been named President and CEO, officially beginning his role on July 21. Rajab ushers in a new era for the advocacy organization, taking the reins following Dale Venturini’s retirement in March.
“We are thrilled to welcome Farouk back to the RI Hospitality Association,” said David Smiley, RIHA Chairman of the Board. “He has decades of regional hospitality experience, including as a past RIHA Chairman of the Board and former Board Member. He is already well-versed in RIHA’s important advocacy efforts, and has earned the respect of Rhode Island’s hospitality community.”
Rajab comes to RIHA from Colwen Hotels, one of the largest owners and operators of multiple brand properties in the Northeast. There, as Director of Operations, he oversaw a group of hotels from the organization’s award-winning portfolio of more than 40 properties, which include Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide.
Prior to Colwen, Rajab was the General Manager at Providence Marriott Downtown from 2017 to 2023. There, he led the transformation of the landmark 354-room hotel through a multimillion-dollar renovation and sales alignment. He has also held several additional leadership positions within the industry, including as General Manager of the AAA Four-Diamond-rated Westin Minneapolis, General Manager of the Four-Diamond-rated Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa and Regional Director of Operations for the Waterford Hotel Group.
“I am so proud to have the confidence of RIHA’s Board of Directors to lead this incredible organization forward. Rhode Island hospitality is in my blood. For years, I’ve seen the impact the hospitality industry makes on local communities—tens of thousands of jobs secured, small businesses empowered and hundreds of local restaurants, hotels, shops and attractions thriving,” said Rajab. “But our impact goes beyond business. I am deeply committed to driving an agenda of advocacy, training and education, while increasing our membership and rallying members around the issues to further strengthen Rhode Island’s entire hospitality community.”
Rajab is the current Chairman of the Stonington Board of Education and a past Chairman of the RI Hospitality Association, where he served as an active Board Member until 2023. He has served on the boards of the Providence Tourism Council; the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, where he also served as Chairman; the Stonington Community Center; the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce; the Connecticut Lodging Association, where he is a past President; as well as on several local and regional commissions. In 2019, Rajab was appointed by Gov. Gina Raimondo as a Rhode Island Commodore for his leadership in the hospitality industry.
Heather Singleton, Interim President and CEO, will remain with RIHA as its COO, a role she has held since 2015. “I want to thank Heather for her leadership of the organization over the last several months. Her experience has been integral in navigating RIHA’s members through significant issues, including the Washington Bridge teardown, the complication from which continues to impact our members on the East Bay, and her efforts are acknowledged and appreciated. I’m pleased to continue working with Heather as she resumes her position overseeing the Association’s operations,” said Rajab.
