Choice Hotels International Appoints Artificial Intelligence Leader Ali Keshavarz to Board of Directors

Choice Hotels (NYSE: CHH) appointed Ali Keshavarz, President and Chief Data & Analytics Officer of CVS Health, to its Board of Directors as an independent director effective July 1, 2026.

Rhea-AI Summary

Choice Hotels (NYSE: CHH) appointed Ali Keshavarz, President and Chief Data & Analytics Officer of CVS Health, to its Board of Directors as an independent director effective July 1, 2026. Keshavarz brings extensive experience in artificial intelligence, data, and advanced analytics to support the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Argus Jul 1 session

-0.91% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – CHH

On Jul 1, the day this news came out, CHH closed 0.91% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Jul 1 session.

Key Figures

Hotel count: over 7,500 hotels Room count: more than 650,000 rooms Countries and territories: 51 countries and territories +1 more

Hotel count

over 7,500 hotels

Global Choice Hotels portfolio size mentioned in release

Room count

more than 650,000 rooms

Total rooms represented by Choice Hotels systemwide

Countries and territories

51 countries and territories

Geographic reach of Choice Hotels portfolio

Brand portfolio

22 brands

Number of brands across full-service to economy segments

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jun 22

5 events

1. Jun 22

   Marketing campaign launch

   24h Move

   -4.5%

   Launched Great American Detour summer campaign and Detours Worth Taking guide.

2. Jun 09

   Brand program update

   24h Move

   +4.5%

   Introduced Sleep Inn Local Favorites breakfast program across 440+ locations.

3. Jun 08

   Leadership/technology

   24h Move

   -1.5%

   Promoted Tony Pallas to CTO to lead enterprise technology and PMS growth.

4. Jun 01

   Growth/expansion

   24h Move

   +2.4%

   Opened 30th Everhome Suites, highlighting extended stay room growth and pipeline.

5. May 20

   CEO transition

   24h Move

   -0.7%

   Announced CEO transition with interim CEO and reaffirmed full-year 2026 outlook.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, chief data & analytics officer, data-driven transformation

4 terms

artificial intelligence technical

"whose experience and expertise in artificial intelligence will further strengthen our Board"

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human thinking, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, or making decisions. For investors, it matters because AI can enhance efficiency, uncover new insights, and enable smarter strategies, potentially impacting the value and performance of companies that develop or utilize this technology.

advanced analytics technical

"New independent director brings deep expertise in AI and advanced analytics"

Advanced analytics involves using sophisticated techniques and tools to examine large amounts of data, uncover patterns, and generate insights that might not be obvious at first glance. For investors, it’s like using a high-powered microscope to see details that help predict future trends or make better decisions. This approach helps turn complex information into clear, actionable knowledge.

chief data & analytics officer technical

"President and Chief Data & Analytics Officer of CVS Health"

A chief data & analytics officer is the senior executive who organizes a company’s data, turns that information into actionable insights, and sets the rules for how data is collected and used. For investors this role matters because better data practices can improve decision-making, reveal growth opportunities, reduce costly mistakes, and protect against regulatory or reputational risk—like hiring a navigator who helps a ship find the fastest, safest route to port.

data-driven transformation technical

"where he advised clients on data-driven transformation and co-founded the firm's healthcare analytics"

A company-wide effort to use collected information and systematic analysis to guide decisions, redesign operations, and build new products or services. It replaces guesses and gut calls with measurable signals—like turning a paper map into a GPS that continuously updates routes—so leaders can spot problems, cut waste, and pursue the most promising opportunities. Investors care because successful transformations can boost growth, margins, and resilience, while failed initiatives can mean costly tech spending and execution risk.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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New independent director brings deep expertise in AI and advanced analytics

NORTH BETHESDA, Md., July 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading lodging franchisors, today announced the appointment of Ali Keshavarz, President and Chief Data & Analytics Officer of CVS Health, to its Board of Directors.

"Ali is a highly accomplished leader whose experience and expertise in artificial intelligence will further strengthen our Board as we advance Choice Hotels International's long-term growth strategy and continue creating value for our franchise owners, guests, and shareholders," said Stewart Bainum Jr., chairman of the Choice Hotels International Board of Directors.

"Ali offers a proven track record of leading enterprise data, analytics, and AI transformation at scale," added Dominic Dragisich, interim chief executive officer, Choice Hotels International. "We look forward to benefiting from his unique perspective as we continue to drive growth, improve unit economics for our hotel owners, and leverage the power of AI across the business."

Keshavarz serves as Chief Data & Analytics Officer of CVS Health, where he leads enterprise strategy across data and analytics and is a key leader in the organization's AI strategy across the company's businesses. He previously served as Chief Analytics Officer for Aetna and CVS Caremark, helping build enterprise data and analytics capabilities at scale. Before joining CVS Health, Keshavarz spent more than a decade at McKinsey, where he advised clients on data-driven transformation and co-founded the firm's healthcare analytics practice. He holds an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a B.A. in mathematics and economics from Northwestern University.

About Choice Hotels®  
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, with over 7,500 hotels, representing more than 650,000 rooms, in 51 countries and territories. A wide-ranging portfolio of 22 brands that includes full-service upper upscale, midscale, extended stay, and economy properties enables Choice® to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges® rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

© 2026 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/choice-hotels-international-appoints-artificial-intelligence-leader-ali-keshavarz-to-board-of-directors-302815834.html

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

Who is Ali Keshavarz, the new board member of Choice Hotels (NYSE: CHH)?

Ali Keshavarz is President and Chief Data & Analytics Officer of CVS Health and now an independent director at Choice Hotels. According to Choice Hotels, he leads enterprise data, analytics, and AI strategy and previously held senior analytics roles at Aetna and CVS Caremark.

What role will Ali Keshavarz play on the Choice Hotels (CHH) Board of Directors?

Ali Keshavarz joins the Choice Hotels Board as an independent director focused on AI and analytics expertise. According to Choice Hotels, his background in enterprise data and AI transformation is expected to support growth, unit economics, and technology-driven decision-making across the business.

Why did Choice Hotels (CHH) appoint AI leader Ali Keshavarz to its board in July 2026?

Choice Hotels appointed Ali Keshavarz to strengthen its board with deep AI and analytics expertise. According to Choice Hotels, his experience in large-scale data and AI transformation is intended to help advance long-term growth, enhance hotel owner economics, and leverage AI across operations.

What is Ali Keshavarz’s professional background before joining the Choice Hotels (CHH) board?

Ali Keshavarz has led data and analytics strategy at CVS Health, Aetna, and CVS Caremark and worked at McKinsey. According to Choice Hotels, he also co-founded McKinsey’s healthcare analytics practice, focusing on data-driven transformation for large organizations over more than a decade.

How could Ali Keshavarz’s appointment impact Choice Hotels’ use of AI and analytics?

His appointment is expected to support broader use of AI and advanced analytics at Choice Hotels. According to Choice Hotels, leadership anticipates his insights will help drive growth, improve unit economics for franchise owners, and expand AI-driven capabilities across multiple parts of the business.

What are Ali Keshavarz’s academic qualifications relevant to his role at Choice Hotels (CHH)?

Ali Keshavarz holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA in mathematics and economics from Northwestern University. According to Choice Hotels, this quantitative and business-focused education underpins his leadership in enterprise data, analytics, and artificial intelligence initiatives.