Ben Rafter

President and CEO of Springboard Hospitality

Ben Rafter is the president and chief executive officer of Springboard Hospitality, a Los Angeles and Honolulu-based premier third-party hotel management company, specializing in managing independent hotels in metropolitan and leisure destination markets. Since joining the company in 2016, Rafter has grown the company (formerly known as OLS Hotels & Resorts) from 16 to now 48 properties across 14 states. During his time at Springboard Hospitality thus far, Rafter has been leading the company on a mission to revitalize and rebrand while investing in technology, people, and culture.

Rafter led the company through tremendous growth coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the brand’s presence on the East Coast as well as other key leisure destinations, including Stowe, VT; Branson, MO; Myrtle Beach, SC; Kona, HI; and Rancho Santa Fe, CA; all of which join anchor properties in markets such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu. Rafter also launched the brand’s Hospitality Intelligence (H.I.) platform, which leverages a curated selection of best-in-class technology tools combined with human intelligence to deliver streamlined operations, personalized guest experiences, and maximized revenues.

Prior to joining Springboard Hospitality, Rafter was president and chief executive officer of Aqua Hospitality and president of Aston Hotels & Resorts. Combined, Aqua and Aston managed 56 properties and nearly 11,000 rooms, primarily in Hawaii. Rafter grew Aqua Hospitality to be the largest operator in the state by number of properties and the only hotel company on all six Hawaii tourism islands. While at Aqua, Rafter completed more than 20 renovations before selling the company to Interval Leisure Group (now Marriot Vacations).

Originating in the technology industry, Rafter spent 15 years guiding successful tech companies and acted as a principal strategist for G2000 and startup firms. In 1996, he co-founded Innerlinx (LiveBid), which was acquired by Amazon.com, following the start of his hospitality career in the distribution department of Westin Hotels & Resorts.