CEDAR RAPIDS, IA—Ravi Patel, president and principal of Hawkeye Hotels, has announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives.
“I’m hoping to bring the skills and knowledge I’ve gained while at the helm of Hawkeye Hotels to Congress,” stated Patel. “We’ve got enough politicians in Washington. I think it’s time we look to our leaders in other fields to bring the sort of innovative change that will benefit us all.”
The son of two immigrants from Gujarat, India, Patel took over the family business shortly after graduating from the University of Iowa’s Tippie School of Business. During the credit crisis of 2008, Patel transformed the small enterprise into one with a portfolio of hotels that spans nearly two dozen states, according to the company.
Hawkeye Hotels recently acquired seven additional Marriott and Hilton properties located around the country, and recently purchased the Hotel Fort Des Moines, located in Iowa’s capital city.
In addition, Patel has invested in more than 20 start-ups concerning education, healthcare, sustainability and nonprofits through Built by Iowa, a private equity fund he cofounded.