BUSINESS BACKGROUND

Howard Wright is an entrepreneur and executive recognized for his values-driven leadership and enduring commitment to the Pacific Northwest. With a deep legacy in transportation, tourism, and hospitality, Howard has built a reputation for investing in people-first companies that deliver iconic experiences and long-term regional impact.

He is the Founder and Chairman of Seattle Hospitality Group (SHG), a purpose-driven investment and operating company founded in 2002. SHG holds strategic stakes in a portfolio of best-in-class hospitality, tourism, and transportation companies including Kenmore Air, Fremont Brewing, Pike Brewing Company, Ethan Stowell Restaurants and MTRWestern. SHG also maintains affiliations with landmark destinations like the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Cedarbrook Lodge. With a combined workforce of over 1,000 and revenues exceeding $100 million, SHG is consistently ranked among the top private companies in Washington State.

Howard also serves as Managing Partner of the Sheraton Grand Seattle, a 1,236-room convention hotel ranked among the top Sheratons in North America. He continues to serve on the boards of multiple hospitality and real estate ventures across the region.

In addition to his work in Seattle, Howard plays a key strategic role in the Monterey Marriott, a landmark hotel property on California’s Central Coast. Through his leadership positions across affiliated ownership entities, he oversees the hotel’s long-term financial, development, and management strategy.

Before founding SHG, Howard spent 20 years commercial aviation, gaining firsthand experience in customer service and labor relations. His aviation career included ownership of Renton Aviation, one of the world’s largest Cessna aircraft retailers; and co-ownership of Mutual Travel, a $300 million travel management firm.

Howard is a graduate of Washington State University (WSU) with a degree in Latin American Studies and an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program. He currently serves on the WSU Board of Regents and is a leading advocate for higher education and public-private partnerships across the Pacific Northwest and Latin America.

Known as a connector and consensus-builder, Howard’s civic leadership includes co-chairing Seattle’s historic $15/hour minimum wage committee, writing the Wright on Center column for the Puget Sound Business Journal, and playing a key role in regional policy conversations that center on community, equity, and business viability. He also helped lead WSU’s first $1 billion capital campaign and has raised funds for organizations such as PATH and the Seattle Symphony.

A longtime advocate for international development and education, Howard has championed public health and academic collaborations between WSU and Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG). He remains an active board member and advisor to initiatives strengthening ties between Seattle and Latin America.

Howard lives in Seattle with his wife and son. When not working, he enjoys flying vintage aircraft to remote destinations along the West Coast.

Learn more about Seattle Hospitality Group here.