HOWARD WRIGHT
Howard Wright is an entrepreneur and executive recognized for his values-driven leadership and enduring commitment to the Pacific Northwest. With a deep legacy in transportation, tourism, and hospitality, Howard has built a reputation for investing in people-first companies that deliver iconic experiences and long-term regional impact.
He is the Founder and Chairman of Seattle Hospitality Group (SHG), a purpose-driven investment and operating company founded in 2002. SHG holds strategic stakes in a portfolio of best-in-class hospitality, tourism, and transportation companies including Kenmore Air, Fremont Brewing, Pike Brewing Company, Ethan Stowell Restaurants and MTRWESTERN. SHG also maintains affiliations with landmark destinations like the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Cedarbrook Lodge. With a combined workforce of over 1,000 and revenues exceeding $100 million, SHG is consistently ranked among the top private companies in Washington State.
Howard also serves as Managing Partner of the Sheraton Grand Seattle, a 1,236-room convention hotel ranked among the top Sheratons in North America. He continues to serve on the boards of multiple hospitality and real estate ventures across the region.
In addition to his work in Seattle, Howard plays a key strategic role in the Monterey Marriott, a landmark hotel property on California’s Central Coast. Through his leadership positions across affiliated ownership entities, he oversees the hotel’s long-term financial, development, and management strategy.
Before founding SHG, Howard spent 20 years commercial aviation, gaining firsthand experience in customer service and labor relations. His aviation career included ownership of Renton Aviation, one of the world’s largest Cessna aircraft retailers; and co-ownership of Mutual Travel, a $300 million travel management firm.
Howard is a graduate of Washington State University (WSU) with a degree in Latin American Studies and an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program. He currently serves on the WSU Board of Regents and is a leading advocate for higher education and public-private partnerships across the Pacific Northwest and Latin America.
Known as a connector and consensus-builder, Howard’s civic leadership includes co-chairing Seattle’s historic $15/hour minimum wage committee, writing the Wright on Center column for the Puget Sound Business Journal, and playing a key role in regional policy conversations that center on community, equity, and business viability. He also helped lead WSU’s first $1 billion capital campaign and has raised funds for organizations such as PATH and the Seattle Symphony.
A longtime advocate for international development and education, Howard has championed public health and academic collaborations between WSU and Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG). He remains an active board member and advisor to initiatives strengthening ties between Seattle and Latin America.
Howard lives in Seattle with his wife and son. When not working, he enjoys flying vintage aircraft to remote destinations along the West Coast.
CHAIR AND FOUNDER
THUONG TRAN
As the Chief Aide to the Chairman, Thuong is dedicated to providing seamless support and handling a wide range of responsibilities that directly impact the business operation. Thuong is the behind-the-scenes force that keeps everything around the Chairman’s busy, active schedule running smoothly. With experience living and working across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the US, Thuong brings a unique, well-rounded perspective to her role. She finds fulfillment in assisting others while embracing the diverse opportunities that come with working at SHG.
Thuong’s journey in hospitality began right after college when she founded a business that has since become one of Vietnam's premier destination wedding consultancies. She then refined her expertise as an Executive Assistant at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. There, she supported the CEO and the COO in establishing the operations of 10,000 employees, contributing to the property’s internationally acclaimed success. After completing business schools in Tel Aviv and San Francisco, Thuong joined a tech startup as its second employee, growing with the company until its successful acquisition by a Fortune 500 firm. Afterwards, she pursued her interest in the arts by running her own ceramic studio and selling her work internationally.
Thuong holds a Bachelor’s degree from the National University of Singapore, an MBA from Tel Aviv University, and a Master’s in International Marketing from Hult International Business School.
Outside of work, Thuong enjoys traveling with her family. She also has a love for learning, from mastering the game of Go to keeping up with her streak on Duolingo. A long-term personal project of hers is to author a children's book.
CHIEF AIDE TO THE CHAIRMAN
SCOTT MEIS
As Vice President of Marketing, Scott manages marketing and communications strategies for SHG’s portfolio companies to maximize growth and efficiency. Scott’s deep background in integrated brand marketing of over 20 years including 10 years of creative agency experience, allows him to guide companies through flexible and strategic high-impact targeted marketing campaigns that bring brand stories to life and maximize engagement.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Scott’s marketing career path started supporting various artists at an independent record label out east before joining a Chicago-based marketing and PR agency. His time spent managing campaigns across a variety of consumer, travel, nonprofit and government clients brought him back to Seattle to lead digital and creative teams at Weber Shandwick, a global strategic marketing and communications agency.
Prior to joining SHG, Scott spent 8 years as the VP of Marketing and Product at FRS Clipper where he oversaw and managed all integrated marketing initiatives as well as a product portfolio of 50 hotel, tour and transportation partners across five destinations. His tenure and executive leadership at FRS Clipper was instrumental in transforming the company into a refreshed and impactful travel company in Seattle.
An outdoor adventure enthusiast, foodie, photographer and all-around PNW travel hound, Scott spends the majority of his weekends kicking up dust on high alpine trails and chasing down the best bites across the region.
