About Us

The one-stop resource for the hospitality industry

Originally founded as the Indiana Restaurant Association in 1933, the organization merged with the Indiana Hotel Association in 2013 to form the Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association—bringing together two complementary sectors under one unified voice. In April 2026, we have transitioned to Hospitality Indiana to reflect the continued growth and evolution of the industry it represents. 

Our diverse network of membership ranges from industry owners, operators, staff and suppliers, to educators and students. The restaurant and lodging industries play an integral role in Indiana’s economy, employing over 400,000 Hoosiers and generating nearly $30 billion in revenue statewide. 

Staff

  • Patrick Tamm
    Patrick Tamm
    President & CEO Hospitality Indiana
    President
  • Sarah Olivero
    Sarah Olivero
    Executive Director Hospitality Indiana
    Executive Director
  • Tom Johnson
    Tom Johnson
    Director of Finance Hospitality Indiana
    Director of Finance
  • Abbi Raben
    Abbi Raben
    Director of Government Affairs Hospitality Indiana
    Director of Government Affairs
  • Katie McClimon
    Katie McClimon
    Education Manager Hospitality Indiana
    Education & Office Manager
  • Jairo Ruiz
    Jairo Ruiz
    Events Coordinator Hospitality Indiana
    Events Coordinator
  • Isabella Ernsberger
    Communications Manager Hospitality Indiana
    Communications Manager

Board of Directors

  • Joe Melton
    Joe Melton
    General Manager Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites Market St (317)972-0600
    Chairman
  • Kelly Ford
    Kelly Ford
    Owner J Ford's Black Angus (812)235-5549
    Vice Chair
  • Rob Chinsky
    Rob Chinsky
    Bridgestone Restaurant Group (317)697-7366
    Immediate Past President
  • Ben Hall
    Ben Hall
    Hall Drive Ins Inc. (260)426-3411
    Restaurant Representative
  • Guy Atchison
    Guy Atchison
    Executive Vice President - Sales & Marketing Acorn Distributing
    Partner Division Representative
  • Jeffrey Bricker
    Jeffrey Bricker
    Ivy Tech Community College
    Board Member
  • Lennie Busch
    Lennie Busch
    Owner One World Enterprises (812)339-2256
    Board Member
  • Chris Clifford
    Chris Clifford
    Huse Culinary (317)635-0636
    Board Member
  • Brad Cohen
    Brad Cohen
    Arni's Inc. (765)447-1108
    Board Member
  • Jim Dora, Jr.
    Jim Dora, Jr.
    President & CEO General Hotels Corporation (317)556-1576
    Board Member
  • David Dunn
    President Dunn Hospitality Group (812)471-9300
    Board Member
  • Kelly Eldridge
    VP of Operations Schahet Hotels, Inc. (317)848-9000
    Board Member
  • Fernando Estala
    General Manager Marriott Indianapolis Downtown
    Board Member
  • Blake Fogelsong
    Blake Fogelsong
    Owner/Director of Operations Clancy's Hospitality (317)773-3284x500
    Board Member
  • Tommy Holmes
    Tommy Holmes
    CEO Ivy Hospitality (317)930-0150
    Board Member
  • Amy Isbell-Williams
    Bottleworks Hotel (317)556-1234
    Board Member
  • Chris Katris
    Lincoln Square Pancake House (317)518-7781
    Board Member
  • Jeff Kelsey
    Jeff Kelsey
    Tri-State Cheeseteaks LLC (812)453-3824
    Board Member
  • Brian Krider
    Ben's Soft Pretzels
    Board Member
  • Dustin Lawson
    General Manager Hacienda Mexican Restaurants Inc. (765)452-8231
    Board Member
  • MieYoung Reed
    MieYoung Reed
    JW Marriott Indianapolis
    Board Member
  • Eric Schamp
    Eric Schamp
    Business Solutions Specialist Gordon Food Service (765)760-5285
    Board Member
  • Jimmie Schindler
    Jimmie Schindler
    Guadalupe's Mexican Grill (260)493-0607
    Board Member