Our Team

Paul Bawa is the Founder and CEO of Bawa Hospitality, a self-made entrepreneur whose journey exemplifies resilience, vision, and execution. After immigrating to the United States in 1989 with nothing but determination, Paul carved his own path in the world of business, building a legacy grounded in hard work and sharp business acumen.

Before entering the hospitality industry, Paul led a successful career in the telecommunications sector, where he served as CEO and drove over $100 million in revenue through strategic growth and innovation. His leadership in telecom laid the foundation for his next chapter—Bawa Hospitality.

Paul founded Bawa Hospitality with just one hotel, driven by a clear vision and a relentless “get-it-done” attitude. Through his guidance and entrepreneurial spirit, the company has grown into a multi-property hospitality enterprise with a strong reputation for operational excellence and guest satisfaction.

Paul is known for his hands-on leadership style, forward-thinking mindset, and deep commitment to both his team and the business. His mission is not only to grow Bawa Hospitality but to create a company that delivers value, opportunity, and quality at every level—from investors to employees to guests.

“Success isn’t given—it’s built. One decision, one team, and one property at a time.”

Peter Shimondle brings over four decades of hospitality leadership and financial expertise to his role as Chief Financial Officer at Bawa Hospitality. With a deep-rooted background in operations, accounting, and hotel ownership, Peter plays a critical role in guiding the company’s financial strategy, capital planning, and long-term investment decisions.

A graduate of Central Washington University, Peter holds dual degrees in Statistics and Psychology—a unique combination that has fueled both his analytical rigor and people-first leadership approach. His career began in hotel operations, steadily rising through the ranks at WestCoast Hotels over 20 years, ultimately serving as General Manager for multiple full-service properties.

In the years that followed, Peter transitioned into hotel ownership and investment, becoming a hands-on operator with a talent for turnaround projects, rebranding, and renovations. He has held ownership stakes in properties under leading brands such as IHG, Best Western, Wyndham, Radisson, and Choice Hotels, and has been actively involved in all facets of operations—from financial reporting and revenue strategy to maintenance and guest satisfaction.

Peter’s extensive experience includes overseeing multi-property portfolios, leading renovation efforts, and maintaining strong, clean financial systems across all assets. He is also certified by several major hotel brands and highly regarded for his ability to execute both strategy and operations with integrity and precision.

A key partner at Bawa Hospitality for over 16 years, Peter’s attention to detail, hands-on style, and unwavering work ethic continue to play a major role in the company’s success and stability.

“In this business, consistency and trust matter. My goal is to build value not just on spreadsheets, but in the experiences we create for guests and teams alike.”

Ken Sandhu serves as the Vice President of Operations and Renovation at Bawa Hospitality, where he oversees day-to-day performance, property improvements, and long-term operational strategy across the portfolio. With a background in electrical engineering and a strong foundation in public sector service, Ken brings a unique blend of technical expertise, structured problem-solving, and real-world operational insight to the hospitality industry.

Before joining Bawa Hospitality, Ken spent several years working in government roles, where he honed his skills in project management, compliance, and system optimization. This experience gave him a disciplined approach to leadership—one that emphasizes efficiency, accountability, and results.

Ken transitioned into the hotel industry with a passion for creating welcoming environments and building strong, high-performing teams. He believes in leading by example, fostering a culture of teamwork, and empowering others to take ownership in their roles.

Under his leadership, Bawa Hospitality has implemented multiple successful renovations and operational turnarounds, elevating both guest satisfaction and asset value. His vision is to help grow the company into one of the most respected and trusted hotel management firms in the nation.

“At Bawa Hospitality, we don’t just run hotels — we build people, systems, and value that last.”

Gio Bawa serves as Executive of Revenue and Sales Management at Bawa Hospitality, where he leads strategy, pricing, and performance optimization across the company’s portfolio. With a strong academic foundation in Business Administration with a concentration in Entertainment and Hospitality Management, Gio brings both creativity and data-driven insight to the evolving hospitality landscape.

Gio is known for developing innovative and market-responsive revenue strategies that have consistently driven top-line growth across various property types and geographic regions. His ability to blend analytics with local market trends has enabled Bawa Hospitality to outperform comp sets and maximize RevPAR, even in highly competitive environments.

From targeted sales initiatives to dynamic rate management and distribution optimization, Gio plays a critical role in aligning Bawa Hospitality’s financial goals with operational execution. He works closely with brand partners, OTAs, and corporate clients to ensure that each property’s positioning and pricing strategy delivers both occupancy and profitability.

Gio’s forward-thinking approach, combined with his collaborative leadership style, has earned him a reputation as a results-oriented executive who understands that success in hospitality sales is built on relationships, responsiveness, and real-time decision-making.

“Smart revenue management is not just about numbers—it’s about knowing your market, anticipating change, and staying two steps ahead.”