Q: What was your first job in hospitality, and how did it shape your career?
Patrick Short: My first job was as a porter at a Holiday Inn in Fargo, North Dakota. It’s funny to think about it now, but I used to handwrite messages for guests and deliver ironing boards to their rooms. That experience gave me a real understanding of what hospitality is all about: the human touch. I learned the importance of being present and how small gestures can make a big impact on a guest’s stay. It’s stuck with me throughout my entire career.
Q: Before joining Aperture, you served as President of Peachtree Hospitality. How did that experience influence your leadership style?
Patrick Short: That role was a game-changer for me. I took over as President in March 2020, right as the pandemic hit. Overnight, everything collapsed. I was faced with a choice: Should we lay off the corporate team to reduce costs, even though we know the properties will need additional support? We chose to keep the team in place and focused all our efforts on assisting the hotels across the country. That period really solidified my belief in servant leadership—doing whatever it takes to support the team, especially when times are tough.
Q: Can you tell us about your leadership philosophy?
Patrick Short: My leadership style is grounded in a focus on each individual person. There is no “I” in team, but as a leader and as an organization, you still need to focus on every “person” within your team. It’s all about focusing on the person in front of you, understanding their unique needs, and helping them succeed. It doesn’t matter if it’s a coworker, an employee, a supervisor, or even a guest—if you’re fully present and care about the individual, everything else falls into place. I’ve always believed that treating people as individuals is the key to building strong teams and fostering a culture of trust and respect.
Q: You’ve mentioned that culture is a big part of your approach to leadership. Can you give us an example of how that plays out in your work?
Patrick Short: Culture is everything to me. At Peachtree, I helped build a culture centered on teamwork, servant leadership, and shared goals. For instance, We had a sign at the corporate office that reminded us of who we work for every day, the teams in the hotels across the country. We would ask ourselves one question: what can I do to help? It started with me, and it resonated with everyone on the team. Everyone worked together toward the same goal, and when it was over, we all sat back and celebrated our success. That’s the kind of culture I want to create at Aperture.
Q: You’ve also implemented some innovative employee programs in the past, like your vacation reimbursement initiative. Could you talk about that?
Patrick Short: At Peachtree, we launched a program where GMs, Directors of Sales and above-property team members were reimbursed for their vacations. The idea was simple: we don’t just promote travel to our guests; we encourage it among our employees. It became a favorite benefit because it allowed employees to experience the joy of travel, get needed time away with friends and family, and return recharged. I’m hoping to bring something similar to Aperture. It’s all part of creating a culture where employees feel valued and supported, and it’s a true way to promote work-life balance.
Q: What advice do you have for those just starting their careers in hospitality?
Patrick Short: Two things: First, always be learning. There are so many different components to running a hotel, and the more you understand, the better equipped you’ll be. Don’t rush through things—take the time to really understand each role. Second, be present. When you’re in a meeting, be in the meeting. When you’re talking to a guest or coworker, give them your full attention. Being present shows people that you care, and that’s how you stand out.
Q: You mentioned earlier that you strongly advocate "servant leadership." Has this ever gotten you into trouble?
Patrick Short: (Laughs) It has, actually! At one point, we were so focused on helping every one of our direct reports and being there to support each other that the higher the level of management you were, the more and more you were taking on. It got to the point where the VPs, SVPs, and I were doing daily tasks late into the night just to keep up. It was a valuable lesson in balance and a dilemma that can be solved by putting the right support positions in place to help organize the work that needs to be accomplished.
Q: Do you have a story that captures the essence of your career in hospitality?
Patrick Short: One of my most memorable experiences was during a major rainstorm in Kansas City. I was a front office manager, and the fire alarm went off in the middle of the night. I went to check it out, and when I opened the elevator doors to the lower level, water rushed in—it was a full-on flash flood! The laundry attendant was still down there, folding laundry with water up to her knees. That moment captured what I love about this industry: the dedication of the people who work in it. No matter the circumstances, they show up and get the job done. Of course, I told her to stop folding and get to safety!
Q: What excites you most about joining Aperture Hotels?
Patrick Short: I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned—especially around building culture and supporting teams—to Aperture. This company has a lot of potential, and I’m looking forward to fostering a culture where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. It’s an exciting time for both the industry and the company, and I’m eager to get started.
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