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Team

Mihir Wankawala – CEO & Founder

Mihir founded The Wankawala Organization (TWO) in 2005 with the acquisition of its first property in Carlisle, PA. Mihir specializes in making value-added, opportunistic investment in the lodging and hospitality real estate sector. As Managing Member, he provides overall strategic guidance for hotel operations as well oversees investment criteria for new acquisitions. He is responsible for acquisitions, market and investment analysis, brand positioning, and joint ventures. Prior to co-founding TWO, he worked at Verizon Communications as an accountant in their Philadelphia office where he handled all aspects and accounting functions. Graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia with Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with concentration in accounting.

Lifetime member of Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)

Tara Ditt Betz, CHA – Vice President of Hotel Operations

Tara has the direct responsibility of maximizing the value of each property by providing in-depth operational strategies, sales and revenue generation and asset management. In addition, she coordinates the renovation projects that are slated for each hotel. Tara works with operational efficiency in all areas within The Wankawala Organization’s growing portfolio of hotels. She has experience and broad knowledge of the hotel industry having spent over 39 years in full service convention hotels and focus service properties.

Tara is a past chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau, a past director and member of the Choice Hotels Owners Council Regional Advisory Board where she chaired the regional co-op marketing committee for over 20 years. Tara is a member of Hotel Management’s 2025 Top Forty Over 40, a recipient of the Central Penn Business Journal’s Top Forty Under 40 Award, Hershy Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau Heart and Soul Award and Service Award; National Multiple Sclerosis Society Leadership Award. Tara is a graduate of Central Pennsylvania College with a degree in hotel/restaurant management with a minor in travel and tourism. She has earned the coveted Certified Hotel Administration (CHA) designation from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.

Aziz Chakouk – Corporate Controller

Aziz has been with The Wankawala Organization for more than 10 years. He has accumulated a mix of financial & operations management experience and more than 12 years of financial management & consulting background. He is responsible for the direct supervision of all accounting and financial functions of corporate reporting. Aziz’s other responsibilities include supervision of the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting to lenders & investors. He is also responsible for developing and implementing best practices and tools to ensure a well-controlled organization, strong fiscal management, project coordination, cross-team communications, and workflows. Other duties that Aziz takes care of are supervising forecasting the preparation of the annual budget, assisting in the preparation of quarterly tax projections and annual tax return preparation.

Seth Weeber – Area Director

Seth is an Area Director who originally joined our team as a general manager in 2017. He has demonstrated a progressive passion for hospitality with a large focus on guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. He has worked for a variety of brands since entering the hospitality industry, including full-service resorts. Seth’s focus is on training general managers and team members to operate at their highest potential. He works closely with the Vice President of Hotel Operations and Construction Project Manager to ensure operational efficiency during renovation projects. He ensures that all budgetary guidelines are being met to maximize the flow through. Seth holds a BS in Business Management from Millersville University.

Matt Knol – Area Director

Matt has served on various boards within the hospitality industry and was an adjunct professor in hospitality at a local college. He collaborates closely with the Vice President of Operations and the Construction Project Manager to ensure operational efficiency during renovation projects. He also ensures that all budgetary guidelines are followed to maximize revenue. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University.

Brian Coyne – Construction Project Coordinator

Brian's vast experience in the construction industry makes him an invaluable addition to our team. In his role as our construction project coordinator, he is responsible for the coordination and execution of large renovation projects. His vast knowledge of construction and renovations drive our projects to success.

Jyotsna Tibile – Senior Staff Accountant

Jyotsna roles in the office are assisting with the budget planning, preparing and submitting tax forms and maintaining financial databases and spreadsheets. She also maintains the office services by organizing the operations and procedures; auditing payroll; controlling correspondence; designing filing systems; reviewing and approving supply requisitions; assigning and monitoring general managers functions. She keeps management informed by reviewing and analyzing special reports; summarizing information; identifying trends.

Jyotsna, joined The Wankawala Organization January 2018 from Barclays Bank PCL Mumbai-India, where she worked as senior credit analyst for 8 years. She is a CA & CPA with a Bachelor degree in Commerce from University of Mumbai.

Isha Wankawala – Staff Accountant

With 15 years of accounting experience, Isha is a dedicated Staff Accountant who specializes in financial reporting, account reconciliations, and maintaining accurate records to support the company’s fiscal health. Her expertise in QuickBooks, SAP, and Excel, along with her understanding of accounting principles, makes her a valuable asset. Isha is committed to compliance, efficiency, and accuracy in financial operations. Passionate about numbers, she prides herself on streamlining processes and enhancing reporting.

Tina Johannsen – Office Manager

Tina is responsible for overseeing the essential aspects of the company's financial recordkeeping. With over 20 years of accounting experience, Tina's duties include scrupulously recording all financial transactions, managing accounts payable and accounts receivable with great attention to detail, promptly and accurately processing payments, and diligently maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the company's financial ledger.

Anali Shah – Accounts Payable Specialist

As the Accounts Payable Specialist at the company, Anali facilitates the smooth processing of financial transactions, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in all facets of accounts payable. With keen attention to detail and a solid grasp of financial operations, she oversees vendor payments, reconciliations, and expense tracking to maintain the company’s financial integrity. With 8 years of experience in accounting and finance, Anali is committed to optimizing payment processes and building strong relationships with vendors. Her proficiency in QuickBooks and her problem-solving approach make her an essential member of the team. Anali earned a Master’s degree from K.S. School of Business Management.

Amith Cherukuri – Financial Analyst

Amith is our latest team member who recently joined the company. He brings over 7 years of experience in the hospitality sector. Amith holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a Minor in Philosophy, specializing in investment management and financial markets from Pace University, NY. He also earned a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston, TX. We are delighted to have him on board and look forward to seeing how he leverages his industry knowledge and education to help us expand our business and achieve our revenue objectives.

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