RI Hospitality Association names new President and CEO

Farouk Rajab, a veteran of the hospitality industry, has been appointed as the new president and CEO of the RI Hospitality Association (RIHA).

Rajab, who has served in leadership positions at several properties including the Four-Diamond Westin Minneapolis and the Four-Diamond Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, is expected to officially assume the role on July 21.

The appointment comes after the RIHA’s long-time leader Dale Venturini retired in March.

“We are thrilled to welcome Farouk back to the RI Hospitality Association,” said David Smiley, RI Hospitality Association 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.”

In a statement, Rajab said he was honored by the confidence the RIHA board of directors has shown in him, and expressed his commitment to advocating for the rights of the state’s hospitality community.

“Rhode Island hospitality is in my blood,” said Rajab. “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.”

Rajab also said he was proud to have been part of the RIHA executive team and to have served in a variety of leadership roles that have helped shape the organization’s future.

“But our impact goes beyond business,” said Rajab. “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.”

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.