Robert A. Rauch, CHA

Robert Rauch, CHA, has been an owner-operator of hotels for several decades and is founding chairman of Brick Hospitality and owner of R. A. Rauch & Associates, Inc. He has held nearly every position in the hotel business including General Manager of full-service four Diamond hotels for Hilton and Embassy Suites. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration from Western International University and a master’s degree in Tourism Administration from Arizona State University. He is a Certified Hotel Administrator and has served as chairman of numerous tourism organizations nationally and locally (San Diego and Phoenix) and is editorial advisor and board member for CCR-Magazine and Destination Elite.
Bob has been directly involved in developing several hotels including the Del Mar Marriott, Hilton Hotel Gaslamp Plaza, Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad, Hilton Hotel Santa Clara and several Marriott resort hotels.

In addition to being the “Hotel Guru” he publishes Hospitality Innsights, an electronic newsletter, sits on the Leadership Council of Arizona State University where he has taught Hospitality Entrepreneurship for 12 years, and is Founding Sponsor of Women in Tourism & Hospitality (WITH) in San Diego.
Education
- Master of Science, Arizona State University, College of Public Programs, Recreation & Tourism, “Outstanding Graduate” 1986
- Bachelor of Hospitality Management, Western International University, 1983
- Certified Hotel Administrator, Educational Institute of American Hotel & Lodging Association, 1983
- Cornell University and Best Western International, General Management Seminar, 1985
- Cornell University, Developing a Skills Training Program, 1984
Academic Positions
- Faculty Associate, Arizona State University, Hospitality Entrepreneurship, 2012 – present
- Lecturer, San Diego State University, Hospitality Entrepreneurship, 2002-2011
- Lecturer, University of California San Diego, Extension, Hospitality Certificate Program, 1991-2001
- Lecturer, Arizona State University and Western International University, Hospitality and Tourism Programs, 1987-1990
Business Positions
- 1990 – present CEO, R. A. Rauch & Associates, Inc and RAR HospitalityServe as owner, developer, operator, trainer, consulting director, writer, publisher, manager, court-appointed receiver, expert witness
- 1988 – 1990 Manager, Deloitte & Touche, Hospitality Practice, Phoenix, AZ
- Served as lead consultant, feasibility study writer, experienced researcher, lead diagnostic review expert, economic forecaster
- 1985-1988 General Manager, Hilton Pavilion, Mesa, AZ
- Opened full-service, 272 room hotel, operated all departments as GM
- 1983-1985 Director, Education & Training, Best Western International, Inc.
- Trained owners and GMs of over 2000 North American hotels
- 1981-1983 General Manager, Embassy Suites Hotel, Phoenix, AZ
- Opened 228 suite hotel in Phoenix for London based developers
- 1979-1980 Manager of Restaurants, Hyatt Regency Phoenix
- 1974-1979 General Manager, Food and Beverage Manager, Sales Manager, Manager Trainee of Ramada Inns, Inc. in several cities
- Started as dishwasher in 1974, became General Manager in 1979
Awards
- 2024 – Top 500 San Diego Business Leaders
- 2022 – WITH Advocate of the Year
- 2018 – Winner, Excellence in Journalism Award, San Diego Press Club 2014 – Finalist, Most Admired CEO, San Diego Business Journal
- 2013 – San Diego Daily Transcript, Most Influential
- 2012 – San Diego Metro, 20 Men Who Impact
- 2009 – San Diego Business Journal, Best Family Business
- 2008 – Hilton Garden Inn, Developer of the Year
- 2006 – San Diego City and County “Robert A. Rauch Day” on July 13, 2006
- 2005 – Diego Hotel and Motel Association Member of the Year
- 2000 – San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, Finest Service Award
- 1998 – City of San Diego, Special Commendation
Publications
- 1984 – present – Publisher and Editor, Hospitality Innsights
- Regular publication began as print media, became paid subscriber electronic edition and finally an unpaid web site newsletter/blog produced quarterly
- 2015 – present – Contributing Editor, HotelNewsNow by CoStar
- 2012 – present – Course Reader, Arizona State University, Entrepreneurship, University Press
- 2009 – Course Reader, San Diego State University, Entrepreneurship, University Press
- 1993 – present – Frequent contributing editor to numerous publications including San Diego Daily Transcript, San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Business Journal, Carmel Valley News and numerous others; currently (2015) serve as CEO/Economist weekly for San Diego Union Tribune; currently (2013-2015) serve on Board of Advisors for Construction & Renovation Magazine and write a monthly column for Hotel News Now and others.
Presentations
- 2024 – Lodging Conference, multiple panels, moderator and participant; San Diego County Lodging Association Annual Forecast
- 2023 – ULI Annual Forecast Event, Lodging Conference, San Diego County Lodging Association and Women in Tourism & Hospitality
- 2015 – BITAC Owners Event Florida, November 15-17
- 2015 – The Lodging Conference, Phoenix, October 6-9
- 2013 – 2015 – Several Hospitality Industry Forecast Events and speaking engagements including Napa, Tucson, Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego
- 2012 – Hospitality Sales and Marketing International, Colorado Springs, July 19, “Digital Marketing”
- 2012 – Hotelguru.com briefing on “Digital Marketing and Mid-Year Forecast, San Diego, July 12
- 2011 – Hotelguru.com, “Annual Forecast” in San Diego, November
- 2011 – Hotelguru.com, “Lodging Industry Forecast” in Orange County, CA, June
- 2011 – Jeffer, Mangels, Butler, Mitchell, “Lodging Industry Forecast”, Los Angeles, CA, March
- 1990-2010 – Frequent speaking engagements in over 15 cities on the state of the hospitality industry, hotel marketing, finance, operations and all topics of the industry covered. Regular engagements included “Meet the Money” in Los Angeles each May, ALIS Conference in Los Angeles each January and Lodging Conference in Phoenix.
Associations and Memberships
- 2018 – present – Member – Arizona State University Leadership Council
- 2016- 2024 – Board Director, San Diego Tourism Authority
- 2018–2023 – Director – Carlsbad Golf Business Improvement District Board
- 2018-2024 – Advisory Board Member, Women in Tourism & Hospitality
- 1991–2015 – Marketing Committee, San Diego Tourism Authority
- 2006-2012 – Founding Director, San Diego Tourism Marketing District
- 2004-2015 – Director, Congregation Beth Am
- 2009-2011 – President, Congregation Beth Am
- 2006-2015 – Member, California Hotel & Motel Association
- 2005-2007 – Director, San Diego Convention Center
- 2005-2006 – President, San Diego Hotel and Motel Association
- 2000-2006 – Director, San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
- 2008-2010 – President, San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau
- 2000-2010 – Director, San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau
- 1996-2004 – Director, San Diego Hotel and Motel Association
- 1996-1998 – President, Carmel Valley Planning Board
- 1992-1998 – Director, Carmel Valley Planning Board
- 1987-1988 – President, Phoenix Hotel and Motel Association
- 1984-1988 – Director, Phoenix Hotel and Motel Association
- 1984-1989 – Director, Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau
- 1983-1989 – Director, Arizona Office of Tourism, Tourism Advisory Council
- 1984-1990 – ember, Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers
- 1988-1989 – Director, Arizona Hotel & Motel Association
- 1985-1988 – President, Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau
- 1985-1988 – Director, Arts in Mesa
- 1984-1989 – Member, Arizona Hotel & Motel Association
- 1983-present – American Hotel & Lodging Association
Business Clients
- Sampling of Selected Business Clients, 1990-present
- San Diego Convention Center Architects, San Diego, CA
- U.S. Grant Hotel, San Diego, CA
- Del Mar Marriott, Del Mar, CA
- Hilton Garden Inn Cupertino, Cupertino, CA
- Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach, Carlsbad, CA
- San Diego Gaslamp Hilton, San Diego, CA
- Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, Tempe, AZ
- Lafayette Hotel, San Diego, CA
- Pacific Steel vs. MGM, Las Vegas, NV
- Pacific Western Bank vs. Keating Hotel, San Diego, CA
- Best Western Station Inn, Anaheim, CA
- Hampton Inn, Livermore, CA
- Hermosa Inn, Phoenix, AZ
- Crescent Inn, Phoenix, AZ
- Phoenician Resort, Scottsdale, AZ
- Wigwam Resort, Litchfield Park, AZ
- Boulders Resort, Carefree, AZ
- Grosvenor Hotels, San Diego, CA
- Interstate Hotels Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA
- Crossroads Hospitality Company, Pittsburgh, PA
- Woodfired Pizza, San Diego, CA
- Hotel Parisi, La Jolla, CA
- Grande Colonial Hotel, La Jolla, CA
- Hilton Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA
- Residence Inn Gaslamp, San Diego, CA
- Hilton Hotels Corporation, London, UK
- Crowne Plaza Hotel, Anaheim, CA
- Mesdaq vs. City of San Diego, San Diego, CA
Expert Testimony at Trial
- Horton Grand Hotel, San Diego, CA
- San Diego Marriott Marquis, San Diego, CA
- City of San Diego Eminent Domain cases (multiple)
- Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
- Plaintiff vs. Harrah’s Rincon (represented plaintiff)
- Many positions as strategist in litigation that ended in settlement.
Meet our Executive Team from Brick Hospitality:
Brick Hospitality is a San Diego-based, employee-owned hotel management company founded by Robert Rauch and his management team. Specializing in both branded and independent hotels in prime business and leisure locations, Brick Hospitality blends innovation with personalized service to deliver unparalleled guest experiences. The company is proud to operate a growing portfolio of hotels across Southern California, integrating cutting-edge robot technology to enhance customer service and operational efficiency. Offering fully integrated, top-tier management services, Brick Hospitality unites a team of seasoned experts committed to driving success for hotel partners while fostering lasting relationships. With its employee-owned structure, the company is uniquely positioned to prioritize both customer satisfaction and employee engagement, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term success.

Dallas King – CEO, Brick Hospitality
Dallas King, CEO of Brick Hospitality, brings over 15 years of experience in travel and hospitality, including successfully opening and managing the award-winning Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego-San Marcos. Renowned for his guest-focused leadership, he has earned accolades like Marriott’s GSS Gold Award, reflecting his commitment to creating exceptional guest experiences. King opened the Super-luxury Pantai Inn La Jolla and became CEO after a successful run as a regional director of six properties for RAR Hospitality.

Sarah Lynch – COO, Brick Hospitality
Sarah Lynch is a seasoned hospitality professional and co-founder of Brick Hospitality, where she oversees a diverse portfolio of branded and independent hotels. With a Master’s in Hospitality Management from Boston University and deep industry expertise, Sarah is passionate about driving innovation and growth in the tourism sector. She has worked in virtually every department of full-service and select-service hotels with Hiltons, Marriotts and the independent Lafayette Hotel San Diego.


Dari DeSousa – CHRO, Brick Hospitality
Dari brings over 30 years of experience in human resources, with a focus on hospitality leadership and talent strategy. Known for her expertise in talent acquisition, ethics, and conflict resolution, she also serves as a highly-rated instructor for SDSU’s HR Certificate Program. She is regarded as one of the top HR professionals in California.