CONTACT: Mara Littman, mlittman@bu.edu / 617-353-4496 

BU School of Hospitality Administration Expands Advisory Board with the Appointment of Three New Members 

Ray Bennett, President, U.S. & Canada, Franchising, and MxM MSB, Marriott International Inc.
Carlos Flores, President & CEO, Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
Katie Potter, President & CEO, Five Star Senior Living 

(November 1, 2021) Boston, MA – Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) has announced the appointment of three new members to its Advisory Board: Ray Bennett, President, U.S. and Canada, Franchising, and MxM MSB of Marriott International Inc., Carlos Flores, President & CEO of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation, and Katie Potter, President & CEO of Five Star Senior Living. These executives join the Advisory Board as the school, founded in 1981, marks its 40th anniversary with a year-long celebration.

“We are honored to have these outstanding leaders in our industry join our Advisory Board,” said Arun Upneja, Ph.D., Dean of Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. “Each of them brings exceptional expertise that will have a far-reaching impact on the education and opportunities at SHA. Our Board of Advisors is integral in ensuring we continue to innovate the future hospitality.”

Advisory Board Appointees:

Raymond “Ray” Bennett, President, U.S. and Canada, Franchising and MxM MSB of Marriott International Inc., oversees the company’s domestic franchising efforts as he retains P&L responsibilities for Managed-by-Marriott Marriott Select Brand hotels in the U.S. He joins a growing franchise community with over 1,100 franchise management companies across more than 4,500 hotels in the U.S. and an additional 1,000 pipeline hotels.

Mr. Bennett’s experience in the hospitality industry spans over two decades. Since 2015, he served as Chief Global Officer, Global Operations for Marriott International, Inc. He led the design, development, and deployment of products and services for all 30 lodging brands globally.

Carlos Flores joined Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta) as Executive Vice President in February 2012 and was appointed as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2015.

As one of the fastest-growing hospitality companies in the U.S., Sonesta’s portfolio of managed hotels has grown 350% since August 2020. Mr. Flores has led Sonesta’s efforts to acquire and convert hundreds of new hotels, increasing the company’s global presence with more than 1,200 locations.

Katie Potter (BU ’04, School of Law), is President and Chief Executive Officer of Five Star Senior Living (Nasdaq: FVE), headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts.  A senior living and rehabilitation and wellness services company, Five Star provides services to enrich and inspire the lives of older adults. Five Star owns, operates and manages senior living communities across the United States. Additionally, Ageility Physical Therapy Solutions™, a division of Five Star, provides rehabilitation and wellness services within Five Star communities as well as to external customers. Under Ms. Potter’s leadership, Ageility has transformed into a growing fitness and lifestyle brand for older adults that is grounded in clinical excellence.

*Photography is available upon request.

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About Boston University School of Hospitality Administration: Established in 1981 and now celebrating 40 years of Innovating the Business of Hospitality, Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration (SHA) offers students a combination of rigorous academics, liberal arts curriculum, and international experiences for the pursuit of success in lodging, restaurants, food service, and other avenues of the hospitality industry. SHA has a unique relationship with the city of Boston, where the area’s hotels and restaurants provide students with numerous opportunities for internships to satisfy work experience requirements for their degree. For more information about the powerful SHA undergraduate program, visit https://www.bu.edu/hospitality/academics/undergraduate/ and to learn more about the internationally recognized MMH program, visit https://www.bu.edu/hospitality/academics/mmh/ .

About Boston University: Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research.  With more than 34,000 students, it is the fourth-largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 schools and colleges and the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes integral to the University's research and teaching mission. In 2012, BU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU), a consortium of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit https://www.bu.edu/about/

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Arun Upneja, Ph.D.

Dean and Professor

Boston University School of Hospitality Administration

aupneja@bu.edu / 617-358-6744

Mara Littman, MMH

Corporate and Public Relations/Lecturer

Boston University School of Hospitality Administration 

Mara Littman, MMH

Corporate and Public Relations & Lecturer

Boston University School of Hospitality Administration

(617) 353-4496 | mlittman@bu.edu | bu.edu/hospitality

Celebrating 40 Years. Innovating the Future of Hospitality