Hospitality/Tourism: JUSTIN G. KNIGHT

Knight has served as CEO of Apple Hospitality REIT, a publicly traded real estate investment trust, since 2014. Apple Hospitality was founded in 1999 by his father, Glade Knight, the REIT’s executive chairman.  Justin Knight, who joined the company in 2000, made $7.8 million in total compensation in 2021.

The bulk of Apple Hospitality’s 219 hotels operate under the Marriott, Hilton or Hyatt brands. Apple Hospitality reported about $934 million in total revenue for 2021, a significant increase over 2020 when its revenue was reduced to $602 million by the pandemic. Last year, Apple Hospitality, which has 63 employees, acquired eight hotels and sold 23 hotels.

Knight earned a political science degree and an MBA from Brigham Young University, where he serves on the advisory council for BYU’s Marriott School of Business. Glade Knight founded Southern Virginia University, a private university located in Buena Vista that’s aligned with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Justin Knight is chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s board, and he sits on the board of trustees of Venture Richmond. He formerly served on Southern Virginia University’s board.