Expertise

Vinay Patel is the President and CEO of Fairbrook Hotels. Vinay is responsible for developing and implementing the vision and strategy for Fairbrook Hotels. Additionally, he heads the strategic planning, acquisitions and sales of hotel assets. 

Vinay’s years of experience have earned him a seat on the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and on the Virginia Tech Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management School Advisory Board. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Business Administration.

Vinay presently serves as Chair of the Asian American Hotels Owners Association Board of Directors. Locally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association and as President of the Herndon Hospitality Association. In the past, he served on the Board of Directors for the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association.

Tina Patel gained knowledge of the hotel industry at a young age, by helping out in her family's independent hotel in Indiana during summer breaks. After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Public and Environmental Affairs, she spent time gaining valuable customer service experience in a variety of retail settings. After experiencing the effects of the 2008-09 recession on the hotel industry, she was inspired to dive deeper into her family's hotel business. Since that time, she has dedicated her professional life to learning about all aspects of the hotel business and she enjoys learning new things to this day. She has assisted Fairbrook Hotels' management team with sales, operations, financials, cost reduction, employee relations, human resources, revenue management, maintenance and more. Along with her knowledge and expertise, she brings a warm and loving spirit to the culture of Fairbrook Hotels.

Caroline Oliveira brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to her role as Chief Operations Officer for Fairbrook Hotels, LLC. In this position, she oversees the operational, financial, and human capital performance of the company’s hotel portfolio, ensuring alignment with Fairbrook’s long-term strategic vision. Caroline leads companywide initiatives focused on profitability, guest experience, and organizational development, while also driving asset value and operational excellence across all brands.

Caroline began her hospitality career in her home country of Brazil, where she earned a degree in Hotel Administration and completed internships at two of Brazil’s most prestigious hotels, specializing in Front Desk Management and Kitchen Production. After moving to the United States, she refined her expertise at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia—an experience that deepened her understanding of luxury operations and guest service.

Throughout her career, Caroline has held leadership roles in some of the most distinguished hotels and restaurants in Charlottesville, Virginia, gaining extensive experience in food and beverage, sales, and general management. In 2016, she joined Fairbrook Hotels as General Manager of the award-winning Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in Charlottesville. Her leadership, financial acumen, and dedication to guest satisfaction quickly elevated the hotel’s performance and reputation.

Her success as General Manager led to subsequent promotions—first to Director of Operations, then Vice President of Operations, and now Chief Operations Officer. In her current role, Caroline continues to guide Fairbrook Hotels toward financial strength, operational excellence, and service distinction. She is recognized for cultivating high-performing teams, advancing leadership development, and fostering a culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and excellence.

Courtney Johnston is a PSU alumna and Philadelphia native (Go EAGLES) who relocated to Northern Virginia in 2012. She has an extensive hospitality background beginning as a hostess at age 15 then moving on to serving and bartending at various restaurants throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She became a sales executive with Marriott International in 2014 and transitioned to Director of Sales for the SpringHill Suites in Ashburn where she worked for the last 5 years. Her biggest accomplishments were winning OTO's most improved hotel in 2018 and booking a $1.2 million dollar group contract with Geico.

Courtney enjoys paddleboarding, horseback riding and enjoying the outdoors with her two dogs.

Heidi Milan is an accomplished sales leader with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. As Regional Director of Corporate Sales at Fairbrook Hotels, she has a proven track record of driving revenue growth, strengthening client relationships, and leading high-performing sales teams.
She began her career in hotel sales at the Hampton Inn & Suites Herndon/Reston and went on to hold key roles at the Sheraton Herndon and Hyatt Place. Heidi also served as Complex Sales Manager for the Sheraton and Westin Reston, specializing in the association and government markets. Known for crafting strategic sales solutions and delivering measurable results, she notably shifted a $500,000 account from a major competitor while at Sheraton Reston—one of many examples of her skill in competitive positioning and client acquisition.
With deep expertise in corporate sales strategy, Heidi is passionate about building long-term client partnerships and closing high-impact deals. She thrives in fast-paced environments where relationship-building and performance go hand in hand.
Outside of work, Heidi enjoys traveling and exploring new destinations.

Vanessa is a dedicated hospitality professional with a Bachelor's degree in Finance from George Mason University and previous auditing and compliance experience in the defense and banking sectors. Her true passion for the hospitality industry emerged through her roles in hotel operations, where she gained a comprehensive understanding of its intricacies.


In addition to Vanessa's operational experience, she has contributed to hotel investment and feasibility studies, deepening her financial insight. Vanessa is driven to enhance the bottom line and maximize revenue, leveraging her unique blend of accounting, financial, and hands-on expertise to foster operational excellence and sustainable growth. She is always eager to apply these skills to enhance Fairbrook's performance, contribute to their ongoing success, and reach new horizons.