MONTY J. BENNETT, Ashford Inc. Chairman & CEO
Monty Bennett is the Founder, Chairman, & Chief Executive Officer of Ashford Inc. and is also the Founder & Chairman of both Ashford Hospitality Trust (NYSE: AHT) and Braemar Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: BHR).
With a wealth of expertise spanning three decades, Mr. Bennett boasts comprehensive proficiency across various domains within the hospitality industry, including hotel real estate, finance, ownership, operations, development, asset management, and project management. Apart from his notable contributions at Ashford, Mr. Bennett has held esteemed positions in multiple industry associations, displaying his commitment and leadership.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Bennett is a lifelong advocate for civic engagement, with a particular focus on championing the rights of children and promoting educational equality. He takes great pride in actively giving back to the vibrant Dallas community. Collaborating with the Ashford companies, he has extended support to numerous charitable organizations, a selection of which is provided below.
- Adopt a Needy Family - San Antonio
- Alzheimer's Association
- American Cancer Society - Cattle Baron's Ball
- Apraxia Kids North Texas Walk
- CASA of Colin County
- Coalition for a New Dallas
- Commit!
- Communities Foundation of Texas
- Cook's Children’s Health Foundation
- Cristo Rey Dallas School
- Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
- Crystal Charity Ball
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Breath of Life Gala
- Dallas Champions Academy
- Dallas Children's Advocacy Center
- Dallas Sheriff's Fraternal Order of Police
- Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network
- Dyslexia Foundation
- East Dallas County Young Life
- Fallen Heroes Intrepid Fund
- Friends of Katy Trail
- Genesis Women's Shelter
- Habitat for Humanity
- Junior League of Dallas
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- MGH Down Syndrome Program
- Miracles for Kids
- North Texas Food Bank
- S.M. Wright Foundation
- Sacred Heart Catholic School
- Shatterproof
- Sky Ranch - Benefit Gala
- Southwestern Diabetic Foundation
- Special Olympics
- St. Jude's Children's Hospital- Give Thanks Walk
- St. Rita Catholic Church & School
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure
- Terrell Share Center
- Texas Land Conservatory
- Texas Women and Children’s Advocacy Services
- Tribute to Fallen Heroes, Dallas PD Memorial Fundraiser
- ULI Foundation
- Union Gospel Mission
- UT Southwestern Medical School
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute
- Vogel Alcove Arts Performance
- Vanguard Charitable Foundation
- West Dallas Charitable Foundation
- Westmount Foundation's Teams for Children
- Wounded Warrior Project
- YMCA / Ashford Rise School
He holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Cornell's S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management and received a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from the School of Hotel Administration also at Cornell. He is a life member of the Cornell Hotel Society.
Mr. Bennett lives and commutes between Henderson and Dallas Counties, Texas with his wife, Sarah, and their four children.