RAVI PATEL

President, hawkeye hotels

Iowa City, Iowa | PathNorth member since 2022

Ravi Patel is the President of Hawkeye Hotels, the largest privately-owned hotel company in the country, employing over 3,000 associates. Patel has overseen the development of over 100 new construction and acquisition projects with total transaction volume exceeding $2.5 billion, leading Hawkeye Hotels to become a fully vertically-integrated hospitality firm with expertise in management, development and acquisitions.

In addition to the hotel industry, Patel is an investor and political activist. He is the Founder of Built By Iowa, a private equity firm that has invested in over 25 early-stage Iowa-based companies. Patel was formerly a candidate for the United States Congress, breaking numerous Iowa fundraising records. He has remained deeply involved in his community through charitable foundations and his involvement on numerous boards. His current board service includes: Iowa Venture Capital Association Board, Tippie College of Business Alumni Board, West Bank Board, American Hotel and Lodging Association Board, and Hilton's Advisory Board. Patel is also a visiting lecturer for the University of Iowa and Kirkwood College. 

Ravi is a regular speaker at industry conferences and has been listed in the Corridor Business Journal and Hotel Business 40 under 40 and list of most influential people, Hawkeye Hotels has received the Developer of the Year award from both Hilton Worldwide and Marriott International, an honor given to the most productive and innovative development company in the world for their respective brand families. Ravi graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. He now lives in Iowa City with his wife Jessica, and two children Rishi and Jiya.