Board of Directors Nominees Slate 2023

Kim Painter
General Manager, Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel 

Kim Painter started her career in the Hospitality Industry more than 30 years ago.  Her current position, as the General Manager of Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel, began in 2016.   

Starting her career in Greensburg, Pennsylvania at the first Sheraton Inn to be designated a Four Points by Sheraton property, her tenure there included Sales and Marketing, Front Office Operations and General Manager.  Kim was awarded General Manager of the Year at that property owned by Crown American Hotels.   Other positions held include General Manager of the Holiday Inn Indiana, Regional Director of Revenue Management for Lodgian Hotels in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the General Manager of the newly built Four Points by Sheraton Sacramento Airport in Sacramento, California.   

As the former Director of Revenue Management, Kim was an integral part of the team that led Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Anaheim Hotel) during its change to an Independent Hotel in 2015. She was promoted to General Manager of the property in 2016. During her career, Kim has gained on-the-job training on every rung of the hotel ladder thus giving her a true appreciation of how every part of the team combines to create great guest experiences.  

Kim is a Board Member of Visit Anaheim as well as the Anaheim/Orange County Hotel and Lodging Association where she is also a part of the Membership Committee.    

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kim is a graduate of Seton Hill University with a major in Business/Marketing and a minor in Sociology.  Kim has worked in all aspects of Hotel Management during her career on both the East and West coasts. During her down time, she enjoys traveling, biking, hiking, exploring new places, walking on the beach, and spending quality time with family and friends 

Bharat Patel
President, Anaheim Castle Inn & Suites 

Bharat Patel began his hospitality career when his father purchased their first motel in Anaheim, the Peter Pan Motor Lodge, in 1974.   They soon expanded the original 39-unit motel to over 300 rooms.  In 1989 the family built the Castle Inn and Suites in Anaheim.  They have owned and operated numerous hotels in Southern California. 

Bharat has lived and worked in Orange County since 1974.  He attended Katella high school in Anaheim.  He holds a Bachelor’s and an MBA from California State University, Fullerton. 

Bharat currently is on the Board of Trustees of Whittier College, serving on the Governance and Advancement committees. He also serves on several boards at Chapman University.  As well as serving on the board of Visit Anaheim, he also serves on the board of the Anaheim Transportation Network and the Board of California Lodging Industry Association (CLIA).   

He is active in the community serving the Executive Board of the Anaheim Y as well as a committee member of SOAR. 

With his wife, they live in Villa Park.  They have two grown children that also work in the hospitality industry. 

Kevin Schjei 
General Manager, Anaheim Marriott Suites  

Kevin Schjei’s career in the hospitality industry spans 18 years.  He has worked in the Anaheim area for 8 years and his current assignment is Complex General Manager of the Embassy Suites Anaheim South and the Anaheim Marriott Suites.   

Kevin’s experience in the hospitality industry includes being the Director of Operations at the Hilton Bellevue from 2006-2010.  He was then promoted to General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lake Oswego, Oregon from 2010-2013.  Since 2013 Kevin has been the General Manager of the Anaheim Marriott Suites and the Embassy Suites Anaheim South.   

Kevin is a current board member of Visit Anaheim as well as the President of the Garden Grove Tourism and Promotion Corporation.  Kevin also is the President of the Harbor-Chapman Associations and the Harbor Hotel Association.   

Kevin is a Washington State native who has had enough rain for a lifetime and is happy to be in sunny Southern California.  Kevin graduated with a business degree from Linfield University in McMinnville Oregon.  Kevin played four years of baseball while attending Linfield University.  Kevin has a daughter Camryn (who took his headshot) and a son Becker.  Kevin is enjoying watching his kids grow and attending their sporting events.