Our Team

Chirag

Chirag
Patel

Founder and Managing Director
Raul

Rahul
Bahl

Founder and Managing Director
David

David
Rojas

Chief Operating Officer
Image_20250130_031054_772 (2)

Stephen
Taylor

Corporate Director of Operations
CALEB

Caleb
Larsen-Torres

Director of Learning & Development
Becky Lister

Becky
Lister

Corporate Director of Sales
Joan Ramos

Joan
Ramos

Director of Marketing
Andre

Andrei
Cherestes

Revenue Management and Business Development
Gabriela Ayuch (1)

Gabriela
Ayuch

Executive Assistant
Nicole Potter (1)

Nicole
Potter

Controller
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Julia
Shapiro

Instructional Designer
Image_20250124_183926_068

Gustavo
Ott

Talent Acquisition Specialist
Paola Martinez (1)

Paola
Martinez

L&D Specialist
Phil Francis

Phil
Francis

Accounting Assistant
Paola Rosanes (1)

Paola
Rosanes

Administrative Clerk

Chirag Patel

Founder and Managing Director

Chirag founded Pathfinder Development with his high school buddy, Rahul Bahl, in 2005 with the intention of leaving a true impression on the hospitality industry. Chirag’s love for architecture shines as he oversees various aspects of the portfolio including analysis and selection of future development opportunities, financial structuring and new construction/renovation management. Prior to founding Pathfinder, he was with the private equity firm American Securities Capital Partners and at the consultancy McKinsey & Co. in the Corporate Finance & Strategy practice. Chirag received a Bachelor of Science magna cum laude from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. When Chirag isn’t in a hard hat at our new developments, you can find him travelling the world with his wife and two kids.

Rahul Bahl

Founder and Managing Director

After founding Pathfinder Development with his high school friend, Chirag Patel, he quickly moved into the role of overseeing multiple aspects of the portfolio. Rahul’s passion for the team radiates as he focuses on revenue generation strategies, operational and HR processes, and he oversees interior design for new properties and properties undergoing renovations. Prior to founding Pathfinder, Rahul received a Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University.  When Rahul isn’t visiting all the properties with his dog, Bo, he loves spending as much time in nature as he can, particularly near the water. One day, he even hopes to learn how to swim!

David Rojas

Chief Operating Officer

Since joining Pathfinder Hospitality in 2012, David has consistently demonstrated his dedication to achieving exceptional results and driving the company’s vision forward. Promoted to Chief Operating Officer in August 2024, David continues to build on his impressive track record of leadership and innovation.

Throughout his tenure, David has led the company through its strongest KPI periods in 2019, 2020, and 2021. He has efficiently guided numerous renovations and CapEx projects since 2016, showcasing his precision and expertise. David also designed and implemented industry-leading Housekeeping Platinum Service and Hotel Valuations Training courses, which have become benchmarks in the industry. He has built a strong hiring framework, consistently attracting top talent, and has mentored future leaders in Platinum Service, Zero-Based Budgeting, and Product Upkeep, ensuring sustained success across all levels.

Outside of work, David remains passionate about traveling, hiking, reading, and playing chess—activities that continue to inspire his commitment to growth and excellence.

Stephen Taylor

Corporate Director of Operations

Stephen Taylor serves as the Corporate Director of Operations at Pathfinder Hospitality, overseeing the operational performance, strategic planning, and guest satisfaction for a portfolio of hotels across Austin, Dallas, and Houston, TX. In this role, he provides leadership and mentorship to General Managers, ensuring alignment with company objectives and driving operational excellence. He also directly manages the Aloft Austin, a 140-room property, while supporting additional hotel teams in achieving financial and operational goals.

Stephen brings over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, with a proven track record of enhancing guest satisfaction, improving valuation, and fostering team cohesion. Before his promotion to Corporate Director, he served as General Manager of the Aloft Austin Southwest for two years, where he successfully elevated operational performance and built a high-performing team.

Originally from Portland, Tennessee, Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science in Service Management with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. Throughout his career, he has gained comprehensive experience across various hospitality roles, including operations, restaurant management, and corporate leadership.

Stephen also works as an Adjunct Professor in the Hospitality Management Department at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas.

Outside of work, Stephen enjoys spending time with his husband and their two dogs, embracing his passion for creating memorable experiences both personally and professionally.

Caleb LarsEn-Torres

Director of Learning and Development

With over a decade of experience in the Learning & Development space, I specialize in creating and delivering impactful training programs that empower employees and drive organizational growth. Throughout my career, I have also had the privilege of leading high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, and guiding them toward achieving their goals.

Currently based in Austin, TX, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Outside of work, I’m a proud dog-dad to an English Bulldog and an Australian Shepherd. I enjoy hiking, binge-watching Netflix, and indulging in any water-based activity.

Becky Lister

Corporate Director of Sales

With over 20 years of sales experience in the hospitality industry, including renowned brands like Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, and Choice Hotels, she brings unmatched passion and dedication to her role every day. Her career has primarily focused on sales, with an exciting new direction in hotel acquisition and management. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling overseas with her husband and dreams of one day making Paris her home.

Joan Ramos

Director of Marketing

Joan Ramos is a seasoned marketing professional with over nine years of experience crafting impactful strategies that connect brands with their audiences. With expertise spanning SEO, PPC, content creation, affiliate marketing, and social media engagement, Joan blends creativity and data-driven insights to deliver campaigns that boost visibility and drive results. Her Lean Six Sigma certification adds a unique edge, enabling her to streamline processes and optimize campaign efficiency for measurable success.

As a law graduate, Joan brings a strategic and analytical mindset to her work, ensuring every marketing initiative is both impactful and aligned with broader business goals.

Joan’s ability to merge strategic planning with hands-on execution, combined with her passion for storytelling and audience engagement, makes her a vibrant and valuable force in the marketing world.

Beyond her professional achievements, Joan finds joy in her role as a fur mom to three lovely furbabies: Bella, a spirited Mini Pinscher; Yawi, a charming Pug; and Shuga, a sweet Shih Tzu.

Andrei Cherestes

Revenue Management and Business Development

Andrei Cheresteș is a versatile finance and data professional with a passion for driving growth and innovation in the hospitality industry. Based in Bucharest, Romania, Andrei holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy from King’s College London, where he developed a unique blend of analytical expertise and creative problem-solving skills.

As a Top-Rated Data Analyst on Upwork, Andrei has completed 26 successful projects, specializing in financial modeling, revenue optimization, and data-driven decision-making. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Sabaki Courses, an innovative educational platform that grew to 300+ paying customers and gained over 17,000 TikTok followers through engaging content and strategic marketing.

At Pathfinder Development, Andrei applies his expertise to optimize revenue strategies for leading hotel brands, including IHG, Marriott, and Hyatt. His ability to blend data analysis with financial insights drives profitability and aligns with Pathfinder’s vision for growth.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Andrei brings a global perspective shaped by extensive travel across Asia and South America, as well as a transformative volunteering experience at the Isha Yoga Center in India. His dedication to mindfulness, combined with his love for the ancient strategy game Go (ranked 2 dan), reflects his thoughtful and strategic approach to both work and life.

Gabriela Ayuch

Executive Assistant

After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Tourism, I’ve had the opportunity to work across various areas of the industry, including customer service, sales, and administration. These experiences have allowed me to steadily build my skills while adapting to the evolving challenges of hospitality management.

As an Executive Assistant, I collaborate closely with company leaders to support operational success and strategic growth. My role involves coordinating initiatives, driving cross-departmental collaboration, and ensuring the seamless execution of company objectives.

Outside business hours, you can find me looking for the next binge-watch on a rainy day, enjoying the outdoors when it’s sunny, or planning my next trip anytime.

Nicole Potter

controller

Nicole Potter is an experienced Controller with a strong background in financial management, accounting, and internal controls. She is dedicated to improving financial operations and fostering growth through data-driven insights and efficient financial practices. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with family, including her cat Pepper.

Julia Shapiro

Instructional Designer

Julia Shapiro is an experienced instructional designer, having first taught adults in universities before transitioning to corporate work. She lives with a spouse, children and pets in Phoenix, where she enjoys walking dogs, making pottery and writing fiction.

Gustavo Ott

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Joined Pathfinder Hospitality in June 2023 as the Talent Acquisition Specialist. Originally from Venezuela and a proud member of our overseas team, Gustavo is responsible for discovering and recruiting top talent to help Pathfinder Hospitality thrive. With a keen eye for identifying rockstars across all departments in our portfolio, Gustavo plays a key role in building high-performing teams that drive our success.

Gustavo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Affairs and brings a global perspective to talent acquisition. Outside of work, you can find Gustavo playing padel or golf, blending strategy and fun into downtime.

Paola Martinez

L&D Specialist

Hey, my name is Paola Martínez, and I’m a Learning & Development Specialist at Pathfinder Hospitality. I’ve been in this role for the past year, contributing to the growth and development of others through impactful learning experiences. I hold a degree in International Studies and am based in Caracas, Venezuela. I am passionate about connecting with people and firmly believe that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world. My work in L&D allows me to help others grow while actively embodying this principle.

Phil Francis

Accounting Assistant

A passionate Certified Tax Technician from the Philippines and a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

With a deep understanding of tax laws and financial reporting, I specialize in helping clients effectively manage their financial records, ensuring a clear and accurate picture of their business’s financial health.

My goal is to empower businesses with the knowledge they need to make informed and confident decisions that drive growth and success.

Paola Rosanes

Administrative Clerk

“In May 2023, I joined Pathfinder Hospitality, and since then, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the hospitality industry. I’ve learned so much about its dynamic nature and discovered how rewarding it is to be part of this field. I enjoy working with Excel and leveraging its tools to streamline processes and create meaningful insights and learning new tools every day.

Currently living in Caracas, Venezuela. I studied culinary arts, and my passion for cooking and photography often intertwines, as I enjoy capturing the beauty of the dishes I create. Traveling and exploring the world are among my greatest joys, as they inspire me to grow and connect with diverse cultures.”