RLJ Lodging Trust named Nikhil Bhalla CFO, the Bethesda, Maryland-based real estate investment trust announced Thursday. He replaces Sean Mahoney, who retired in May.
Bhalla initially joined the company in 2015. He most recently served as senior vice president of finance and treasurer.
Other roles he’s held during his decade at RLJ include vice president and treasurer for corporate strategy and investor relations and vice president of finance and financial planning and analysis, according to his LinkedIn.
Before joining RLJ, Nikhil was vice president of equity research at investment bank FBR. He was also a director of feasibility and strategic analysis at Host Hotels & Resorts.
In a statement, RLJ President and CEO Leslie Hale said Bhalla’s “strategic insight, financial acumen and operational excellence” make him “well suited to continue to capitalize on our strong balance sheet, advance our financial strategy and support our growth initiatives.”
Bhalla, who has a master’s degree in management from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, said he looks forward to “continuing to build on our strong financial foundation while supporting our strategic initiatives and delivering value for our shareholders.”
RLJ owns 94 premium-branded urban-centric hotels targeting“multiple demand generators from business, leisure and other travelers,” per the announcement.
