ATLANTA, GA, September 19, 2024—Vimal (Ricky) Patel, who serves on the AAHOA Board of Directors, has been appointed to the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation Board (LEDC). Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry made the appointment.
Patel currently serves as regional director for AAHOA’s Gulf Region, which encompasses Louisiana and Mississippi. Professionally, he is president/CEO of DIVI Hospitality, a hospitality company in Louisiana with hotels in Broussard, Port Allen, and Gonzales, and one on the way in Baton Rouge.
“I am honored to announce my appointment by Governor Jeff Landry to the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation,” said Vimal (Ricky) Patel. “I am thankful for the Governor’s trust in me and embrace this role with a strong sense of responsibility. Over the next two years, I am dedicated to advancing initiatives that will foster growth and innovation, benefiting both small businesses and the people of Louisiana. Together, we will work towards building a stronger, more prosperous future for our state. Let this appointment serve as a testament to the power of advocacy in shaping our future.”
Led by a board of directors appointed by the governor, LEDC reviews and administers financial assistance programs, including Small Business Loans, Micro Loans, Louisiana Seed Capital Investment, the Louisiana Venture Capital Program, the Collateral Support Program, and the Economic Development Award Program.
“On behalf of AAHOA and our 20,000 members, I congratulate Vimal on this milestone appointment and thank him for his leadership in the state,” said Chairman Miraj S. Patel. “His 20 years of experience in the hotel industry will go far in making decisions to benefit small businesses in Louisiana.”
“Vimal’s vision is to bolster tourism and increase funding for local initiatives,” said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. “His efforts will create better-paying jobs, improve quality of life, and build a stronger workforce for the industry.”
