Move Allows Family Founders to Pass the Baton to Second Generation

Greenville, S.C., November 6, 201–JHM Hotels, one of the nation’s largest hotel owner/operators, today announced that the company will transition into four new independent hotel companies, paving the way for the second generation of the successful family business.

Effective November 1, the JHM Hotels’ name has been retired, and four new companies have been launched to continue the family’s lasting legacy. “The retirement of the JHM Hotels brand allows the numerous family shareholders involved to pursue their own visions and maintain their core values of integrity, reliability, balance and corporate citizenship,” said H.P. Rama, founder of JHM Hotels. “As the number of JHM owners has increased, so has the diversity of interests on both the property level and within the management company. As a result, there are four new companies to allocate ownership of the existing portfolio, pursue future hospitality ventures and, in some cases, manage the hotels. Each member of this second generation maintains the same desire and potential to grow exponentially moving forward, taking off from the base the family has created for them.”

The new entities are:

1. Auro Hotels, www.aurohotels.com Principal: Dharmendra (D.J.) Rama Key Executives: Hasmukh (H.P.) Rama; Jayanti (J.P.) Rama Based in Greenville, SC 2. Sima Hotels, LLC Principal: Manhar (M.P.) Rama Key Executive: Sima M Rama Based in Orlando, FL 3. Sarona Holdings, http://saronaholdings.com/ Principal: Hiren (H.R.) Rama Key Executive: Raman (R.P.) Rama Based in Orlando, FL 4. Siddhi Hotel Group, http://siddhihotelgroup.com/ Principal: Kamal (K.D.) Rama Key Executive: H.P. Rama, Trustee, Denu (D.P.) Rama Family Trust Based in Greenville, SC

The JHM Hotels founders have set a high bar, having worked very hard to achieve nearly half a century of remarkable growth. “Since my uncle, H.P. Rama, purchased the modest Sunset Motel in 1973, and was subsequently joined by my father, J.P., and uncles M.P., the late D.P., and R.P. Rama, JHM Hotels has grown into one of the largest, privately owned, hospitality companies in the country, currently comprised of nearly 40 hotels with approximately 7,200 rooms across seven states and India,” said D.J. Rama, former president of JHM Hotels. “During that time, the company has built or acquired nearly 100 hotels affiliated with some of the top national brands. From our adopted home of Greenville, S.C., our forefathers have built an impressive portfolio and an even more impressive reputation. The future is bright for each of the new entities, and we expect a seamless transition for our hotels and our associates.”