Our Executive Team

Ajeet K. Anand Sr. Vice President, Commercialization

Ajeet Anand is the Senior Vice President of Commercialization for PHG. In this capacity, Ms. Anand oversees all commercial efforts for our portfolio of properties, both independents and branded.

Ajeet is additionally responsible for all branding efforts for the portfolio, playing a critical role in building brands and customer experience. Ajeet is a 20+ year hospitality veteran, with experience with large management companies such as Starwood, Dolce and Wyndham, as well as start-up hospitality brands such as China-based Cachet Hotels & Resorts.  Ajeet’s experience is centered around driving strategy and execution in areas steeped in the intersection of sales, marketing and revenue.  Ajeet holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in Strategy and Marketing from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Communications and International Business from the American University in Washington, DC.

Garrett Busch President

Garrett S. Busch, in his role as President of Pacific Hospitality Group, is responsible for driving the strategy and operations for the company’s hospitality assets. In this role, Garrett oversees all of PHG, as well as the growing portfolio’s performance and footprint. Garrett’s personal passion is to further grow the Meritage Collection 4-diamond brand.

Garrett also oversses Capital Markets, heading up the development, acquisition, investor relations, and debt financing. He leads the investment strategy for PHG, focusing on long term cash flow of assets. Under Garrett’s leadership will be all asset management, property operations, human resources, sales, marketing and revenue management.

Garrett received his undergraduate degree in business and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame where he majored in Entrepreneurship and Finance, respectively. Garrett also has 10 years of experience as CEO of his family winery Trinitas Cellars. In 2019 Garrett led the founding of PHG’s first Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund: PHG OZ I, LLC. Garrett helped successfully form, fund, and deploy PHG OZ I, LLC into PHG’s co-development of a 238-room Hyatt Place Phoenix, Downtown in Phoenix, while in 2020 securing funding to acquire Hotel Granduca in Austin, TX.

Timothy Busch Founder and Chief Executive Officer

A true hospitality visionary and leader, Tim Busch brings over 35 years of business and hospitality industry experience to his role as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Hospitality Group, which is a premier hotel development and management firm with 13 hotels and resorts located throughout the United States.

Based in Irvine, California, the company owns, manages, finances and develops hotels in iconic destinations. PHG serves as the parent company to a portfolio of lifestyle and luxury properties known as the Meritage Collection. Meritage Collection hotels include Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa near San Diego, Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort in Kauai, and two Napa Valley properties – The Meritage Resort and Spa and Vista Collina Resort.

With an extensive finance, legal, and management background, Tim has founded and led many companies, including The Busch Firm, which specializes in high-net worth estate planning, tax, and real estate and business legal transactions.

Tim, an attorney, CPA and licensed California real estate broker, graduated from Wayne State Law School.  The father of two, along with his wife Steph, is also an active supporter of several prominent Catholic organizations and was instrumental in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange’s purchase of the Crystal Cathedral.

Kenzie VathVice President Strategic Innovation

Kenzie Vath is the Vice President Strategic Innovation for PHG. As the Vice President Strategic Innovation, Kenzie is responsible for activating all properties' creative outlets, overseeing CapEx, spa, retail, company sustainability and wellness program.

From well-being activations on property to health and wellness resources for our team members, Kenzie ensures the properties are properly equipped with safe and healthy environments for all. Additionally, Kenzie has paved the way for transitioning our sustainable model to be more active in the coming years. Sourcing sustainable products and food vendors, removing single use plastics and finding ways to improve energy usage. She’s worked in multiple positions at PHG in recruiting, food and beverage, retail curation and brand development. Kenzie graduated from Purdue Online with a Bachelor's in Holistic Health. She further went on to obtain her coaching certification from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition based in New York. Finally, Kenzie is a business owner, author and has a passion for non-profits and empowering women in business.  

Pouya Honari Vice President of Capital Markets & Investments

Pouya Honari leads Pacific Hospitality Group’s Capital Markets and Investments division, where he oversees the full investment lifecycle—from sourcing and underwriting new opportunities to executing capital raises, securing financing, and managing asset performance.

Since joining PHG, Pouya has been instrumental in expanding the company’s footprint and investor base, completing over $1 billion in hotel transactions and financings across a wide range of hospitality asset types.

Today, he helps oversee a portfolio representing more than $1.5 billion in assets under management, driving long-term investment strategy while also leading the asset management function across PHG’s existing holdings. Pouya has played a key role in launching high-profile developments, structuring complex capital stacks, and delivering consistent returns to investors through both value-add and ground-up hotel investments.

His multidisciplinary background—combining bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and architecture with a master’s degree in Hotel Management and an MBA from Cornell University—enables him to approach investments with both analytical precision and creative vision. Pouya’s ability to navigate financial complexity, development risk, and operational execution makes him a core architect of PHG’s continued growth.

John Moody Vice President of Finance

John Moody is Vice President of Finance for Pacific Hospitality Group. John arranges conventional financing for Pacific Hospitality Group and its affiliated companies having successfully originated, structured and closed over $3 billion in debt financings.

His areas of loan expertise include construction and permanent real estate loans particularly hospitality, school bond financing, business loans and personal lines of credit. Mr. Moody graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from Long Beach State University. Prior to Pacific Hospitality Group, John was president of Busch Financial Services, and an executive at Bank of America and Security Pacific Bank. John enjoys time with his 3 children, daily swimming and golfing and serves on the Board of Directors at Capo Beach Church in Capistrano.

Leslie Lujan Vice President of People & Culture

Leslie Lujan serves as the Vice President of People & Culture at Pacific Hospitality Group, where she leads the long-term vision and strategic direction of the People & Culture function in alignment with the company's business objectives.

As a passionate and genuine leader, she is committed to being visible, involved, and deeply engaged with team members across the organization.

In her role, Leslie drives the development and implementation of key people initiatives that shape a positive, high-performing workplace culture. She oversees all workforce planning strategies and champions efforts to position PHG as an employer of choice. Her leadership fosters collaboration, innovation, and alignment between business goals and people strategies.

With 15 years of Human Resources experience—most of it within the hospitality industry—Leslie brings a depth of knowledge and insight to her work. She holds a SHRM-CP certification and currently serves as a volunteer member of the PIHRA South Orange County Chapter, where she remains active in advancing the HR profession and engaging with the broader HR community.

In 2022, Leslie was recognized by the Orange County Business Journal as a Distinguished Leader in Human Resources, a testament to her impact and leadership within the field.

Sven GrunderVice President of Operations

As the Vice President of Operations, Sven Grunder oversees Pacific Hospitality Group’s branded properties under the AC Hotels by Marriott® and DoubleTree By Hilton™ flags.

 With more than 25 years of hospitality industry experience, Sven has held numerous management positions with IHG and Prime Hospitality/AmeriSuites Hotels. Sven’s extensive background in limited service, extended stay, resort, and full-service hotels has positioned him to help successfully open four hotels over the span of his career.

Sven graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management. He currently serves as a board member for the Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Center and the Anaheim/Orange County Hotel & Lodging Association.

David Belk Vice President of Field Operations

As the Vice President of Field Operations, David Belk oversees the hotel performance for Hotel Viata® and our branded properties under the Marriott®, Hilton™, and Hyatt® flags.

David’s 20+ years of hospitality and motivational leadership roles have helped pave the way in driving top performance and guest service throughout our hotels. He has multiple years of Food & Beverage experience across restaurants, casinos, hotels, and served 5 years on the Marriott® Food & Beverage Advisory Committee. David has successfully project-managed numerous ground-up hotel openings and restaurant conversions, overseeing construction, staffing, and operational launches.

David’s leadership approach is centered around empowering his team and cultivating a positive work environment where individuals can thrive. He believes in leading by example, offering mentorship and guidance to encourage professional growth within his teams. His philosophy of “people first” extends to both guests and staff, ensuring that guest service remains at the heart of every operation. David is passionate about fostering long-term relationships, driving innovation, and continuously improving processes to stay ahead in the competitive hospitality industry.

David graduated from Ball State University and is a member of many Hotel & Lodging Associations in Arizona.

Vista Murphy Vice President of Food & Beverage

Vista Murphy is a visionary leader in food & beverage operations with a proven track record of transforming teams, elevating guest experiences, and driving revenue across premier hospitality brands.

As Vice President of Food & Beverage at Pacific Hospitality Group, Vista oversees a portfolio of 11 properties (and growing!) across California, Hawaii, Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana, stewarding more than $90 million in annual revenue while spearheading strategic growth through concept innovation, talent development, and operational excellence.

Vista’s career foundation was forged at Hillstone Restaurant Group, where she rose through the ranks of their management training program to General Manager. Through her leadership at more than four of Hillstone’s concepts, her focus was to deliver consistently high margins through rigorous cost controls, elevate service standards, and exceed guest experience metrics. Her time at Hillstone instilled in her a deep commitment to leadership development, performance accountability, and guest-first thinking—principles that remain central to her approach.

Across her career, Vista has launched high-impact F&B concepts, guided multi-million-dollar renovations, and led new restaurant openings that blend creative vision with disciplined execution. She excels in building pipeline-ready leadership teams through robust succession planning, hands-on mentorship, and strategic talent cultivation. Under her guidance, property-level leaders grow into enterprise-minded operators, fluent in P&L, team management, and brand stewardship.

A champion of continuous improvement, Vista implements smart technology solutions to streamline operations, reduce costs, and strengthen decision-making across departments. She pairs this efficiency mindset with a passion for culinary innovation and brand storytelling, making her a catalyst for both financial performance and elevated hospitality.

A former NCAA National Champion (Women’s Volleyball) at Emory University, Vista brings a competitive spirit, collaborative style, and unwavering drive to every project, positioning food & beverage as a powerful engine of brand growth and guest loyalty.