Hunter Conference Award for Excellence and Inspiration
2023 Recipient
The HUNTER Award for Excellence and Inspiration was created to celebrate hoteliers who exemplify exceptional leadership, citizenship, and innovation. Each year, HUNTER presents the award to one such individual at the HUNTER Conference.
Honoree
Fred Cerrone
Founder and Chairman, Hotel Equities
Fred “Coach” Cerrone serves as Founder and Chairman of Hotel Equities. Before launching Hotel Equities in 1989, Cerrone served in key management positions with top hotels nationwide, being twice recognized by national hotel franchises as “General Manager of the Year” as well as one of Marriott’s initial franchise partners in 1993. In 2006, he was named “Hotelier of the Year” by Hotel World Magazine. After growing Hotel Equities to the company that it is today, Cerrone turned the role over to his partner, Brad Rahinsky, current President and CEO. From his start as a desk clerk at the Sheraton Boston hotel more than five decades ago to the founding of Hotel Equities, Cerrone has been a leader that all in hospitality can admire. Cerrone is the 2023 honoree of the Hunter Conference Award for Excellence and Inspiration. Cerrone now spends much of his time promoting the hospitality industry to young men and women entering the workforce and serving on the advisory boards of Georgia State University’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration and Marriott’s Homes and Villas Brand. Cerrone is also the Chairman of InStep Ministries and teaches monthly “Foundations” classes to current and potential leaders within the company.
Award Presenter
Brad Rahinsky
President & CEO, Hotel Equities
Brad Rahinsky serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hotel Equities, a full-scale hotel ownership, management and development firm. He develops the long-term vision for Hotel Equites and supports all aspects of the firm’s various disciplines. In late 2018, Mr. Rahinsky guided Hotel Equities through a historic joint venture and strategic partnership with Virtua Holdings International that has accelerated the firm’s growth through a comprehensive acquisition and alliance platform. Mr. Rahinsky joined Hotel Equities as Vice President of Operations in early 2012 and quickly moved into senior leadership where he has powered the firm’s explosive growth taking the firm to over 250 hotels in over 35 states and multiple provinces in Canada. To handle the rapid and unprecedented expansion, Mr. Rahinsky has internally developed and externally recruited some of the industry’s brightest leaders. Prior to joining Hotel Equities, Mr. Rahinsky co-owned a successful portfolio of Hilton and Hyatt branded hotels in the Southeast. He spent his early years learning the business through progressive executive level positions with Sheraton, Hyatt, Wyndham and various independent resorts. Mr. Rahinsky serves as a member of Hilton’s Hampton Inn and Suites Owners Advisory Council and the Element by Westin Franchise Advisory Board. He earned a B.S. degree in Communication Arts with a minor in marketing from the University of West Florida. He and his beautiful wife, Tricia, have five children and reside in Fulton County, north of Atlanta, GA.