The People Behind BPR
In less than five decades, BPR grew from a one-hotel operation into one of the West Coast’s top hotel management companies. We didn’t, however, do it alone. Over the years, our company has worked with some incredible people — we still do. We think they’re our greatest strength, and we hope that you get to know them better.
B.B. Patel is a man of many talents: He's a registered engineer in the State of California, and helped found a pair of banks in his 25-plus years in the financial industry. His passion, though, lies in hospitality and real estate. Since founding BPR in 1973, B.B. has purchased, restored, and renovated a number of historic hotels. Today, he mainly focuses on strategic growth, finance, and acquisitions. WHAT DOES BUILDING A SENSE OF BELONGING MEAN TO YOU? I want our guests to feel like when they come to our hotels they are coming as my personal guests. I want them to feel welcomed and have a sense of belonging the moment they arrive at my hotel. GREATEST STRENGTH YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR PARENTS? Growing up my parents taught me to be strong. To work hard, be honest, hard work will never kill you. To work to the best of my ability and the score will come. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BPR HOTEL & WHY? I have a few favorite hotels. Best Western Executive Suites was my very first hotel and gave me my start in hotel management. Mountain View Inn was my first ground up construction project and I learned a lot about building. Cabana was my first full-service hotel and excelled me into a different league. IF YOU HAD A SPIRIT ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE? My parents were farmers so growing up on a farm I was drawn to cows. Cows are very generous with their lives and behave in the most selfless manner. MOST LISTENED TO SONG ON SPOTIFY OR ITUNES? I listen to classical FAVORITE PODCAST OR BOOK? Anything that has to do with the five elements. Rita Parasnis brings a one-of-a-kind resume to BPR Hotels: Since graduating from UC Berkeley in 1995, she's gone on to accumulate over 15 years of managerial experience in the high-tech and hospitality sectors. Rita's worked for and with companies as large as Oracle and other startup companies. Here, she's already helped establish uniform accounting, analytical, and operational practices; we're excited to see what the future holds. WHAT DOES BUILDING A SENSE OF BELONGING MEAN TO YOU? A sense of belonging means to create a community and making everyone feel welcome and at home. GREATEST STRENGTH YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR PARENTS? Independence and working hard. Growing up, I always saw both of my parents work extremely hard and their efforts always paid off. We learned early on to take care of ourselves and to stand on our own two feet. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BPR HOTEL & WHY? Hard choice because we love them all, but dearest to my heart is Hotel Shattuck Plaza as it was the first new project that Perry, BB & I worked on together. Berkeley will always have a special place in my heart as it's where I went to college & met my husband. IF YOU HAD A SPIRIT ANIMAL WHAT WOULD IT BE? Feline family. Felines tend to be very independent. They are bold in the face of danger, protective and very strong-willed. MOST LISTENED TO SONG ON SPOTIFY OR ITUNES? Anything from the '90s FAVORITE PODCAST OR BOOK? Current favorite is the Revisionist History by Malcolm GladwellB.B. Patel
Chairman
Team member since 1973
B.B. Patel
Chairman
Rita Parasnis
Partner
Team member since 2005
Rita Parasnis
Partner