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MU
RIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
July 2, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1- 523.01), and pursuant to section 403 of the Human Rights Act of 1977,
effective December 7, 2004 (D.C. Law 15-216; D.C. Official Code § 2- 1404.03), I am pleased to
nominate the following individual:
Mr. Ashley Smith
4th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Ward 6)
for appointment as a member of the Commission on Human Rights, filling a vacant seat formerly held
by Eleanor Collinson, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end December 31, 2027.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-m entioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel B owser
Mayor
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A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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Chairman Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To confirm the appointment of Ashley Smith a member of the Commission on Human Rights.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA , That this
resolution may be cited as the "Commission on Human Rights Ashley Smith Confirmation
Resolution of 2025".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
Ashley Smith
4th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(Ward 6)
as a member of the Commission on Human Rights, established by section 401 of the Human
Rights Act of 1977, effective December 7, 2004 (D.C. Law 15-216; D.C. Official Code§ 2-
1404.01), filling a vacant seat formerly held by Eleanor Collinson, for the remainder of an
unexpired term to end December 31, 202 7.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
ASHLEY B. SMITH
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT ⧫ HOTEL OPERATIONS ⧫ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ⧫ CLIENT RELATIONS
Staff Development ⧫ Project Management ⧫ Private and Public Sector
As a highly motivated professional, I am eager to cultivate a leading edge in Business Management, Strategic Logistics and
Operations for an organization and or agency firmly committed to promote the highest standards of integrity, competence, and
leadership while focusing on the diversity and equity of their team. I perform well individually or in a group setting, combining
excellent interpersonal skills with state-of-the art technology methods and the ability to multi-task and readily adapt to changing
environments.
________________________________ ________ PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ________________________________ _____________
SHERATON PENTAGON CITY (419 ROOMS), ARLINGTON, VA, JULY 2011 – PRESENT
GENERAL MANAGER, MAY 2022-PRESENT
• Responsible for leading a $25M asset through unprecendented operational and financial challenges post the COVID -19
pandemic, as the industry faced historic declines; able to shift operation to meet and exceed budget goals each year.
• Leading a team of 130 Overall Associates to include 15 Managers, on site and remotely.
• Drove financial recovery through creating a collaborative team between Operational and Revenue Strategies, excuting targeted
Sales Initiatives, and utilizing advanced analytics to achieve market-leading occupancy and ADR growth YOY.
• Championed a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and accesibility resulting in positive impact of Hotel Associate Opinon
Survey of 91.7% for 2024
• Achieved Guest Service Satisfaction Scores for 2024 of 51+. Meeting and exceeding Marriott standard GSS Targets
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, FEBRUARY 2019 – MAY 2022
• Responsible and worked collaboratively with Hotel Operational Leadership Team to ensure financial, guests and associate results
are achieved. Team composed of 110 Associates, 11 Managers and 9 Supervisors
o Achieved 2019 Hotel Associate Opinon Survey of 85%
o Achieved 2020 Marriott Brand Standard Audit Rank of Clear – Brand – 82% Operations – 85%
• Property Project Manager for Guest Rooms Renovation Project which finished ahead of schedule and under budget.
• Collaborated and developed methods to achieve greater impact and results across all areas of the hotel to include Sales, Catering
and overall Operational teams for greater success with internal and external guests . This is measured with HEI’s core values
through our rhythms of success, to include but not limited to guest satisfaction behaviors, labor management (LLG), cost control
tools (XLG), FTF model, safety and security, as well as hotel and associate sustainability are being met along with continuing
education and trainings and development (DOD).
DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE/DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, OCTOBER 2017- FEBRUARY 2019
• Collaborate and streamline processes for efficienies within the Food and Beverage Departments
• Develop new and special promotions which drove hotel profit and greater guest experiences
• Revamp new service guidelines to ensure meeting planner experiences achieved the goals set for the event and service from Food
and Beverage Operations
• Work collaboratively with Operational teams and Sales team in the pre -event preparation phase to ensure proper execution for all
departments impacting Group Experience
• With working knowledge of all hotel aspects, I assisted with training and implementation of the HEI Core Values and proven
Rythms of Success.
DIRECTOR OF HOUSEKEEPING, April 2013 – October 2017
• Establish and streamline processes for greater efficiency in the Housekeeping Department in coordination with the Rooms Team.
• Served as Project Manager for 3 Renovation Projects
• Interview, hire, schedule, coach and counsel, resolve associate and guest issues which impact the Housekeeping Operation.
DIRECTOR OF GUEST SERVICES, JULY 2011 – APRIL 2013
• Worked cooperatively with General Manager and Hotel Leaders in driving Guest Service Results and Operational Leadership and
Training which impacts the Guest Experience.
• Responded to escalated Guest Issues via Social Media and Starwood Platforms.
• Coordinated efforts of hotel to maximize parking revenue. Achieved a 15% growth in Parking Revenue.
SHERATON CRYSTAL CITY (217 ROOMS), ARLINGTON, VA, APRIL 2009 – JUNE 2011
DIRECTOR OF GUEST SERVICES AND TRANSPORTATION,
• Serve on corporate development and advisory team for future successful transitions of HEI’s Guest Services and Transportation
Teams throughout our organization.
Ashley B. Smith ~ Page 2
• Prepared proposals for parking system upgrades; pricing structure for daily, overnight, airport and monthly parking.
• Maximize daily Parking Facility yielding and specials; coordinate with Hotel Sales team special pricing and establish
transportation procedures for all groups.
• Over 100% increase in Parking Revenue.
ARCHSTONE VAN NESS (625 UNITS), WASHINGTON, DC, OCTOBER 2007 – FEBRUARY 2009
GENERAL MANAGER
• Achieved Property of the Year in 2008-2009
• Served as first point-of-contact to establish marketing strategies for 625 unit residential leased properties; managed Resident
Concierge, Service, Leasing, and Office teams; progressive reviews of each team member.
• Prepared bid proposals for capital projects and negotiated contracts in order to realize best results at competitive prices.
• Reviewed and approved payroll and all expenditures for property; completed monthly critique of financial results and prepared
monthly forecasts; assisted in preparation of annual budget; worked closely with Bookkeeper/Assistant Manger on all accounts.
• Attended and participated in legal proceedings, court cases, etc., involving the property; worked cooperatively with counsel .
DIRECTOR OF ROOMS OPERATIONS
RICHMOND MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN (410 ROOMS), RICHMOND, VA, AUGUST 2007 – OCTOBER 2007
BALTIMORE MARRIOTT HUNT VALLEY (395 Rooms), Hunt Valley, MD, September 2006 – August 2007
FRONT OFFICE MANAGER
Sheraton Norfolk Waterside (445 ROOMS), Norfolk Virginia, November 2005 – September 2006
Marriott Louisville Downtown (617 Rooms), Louisville, Kentucky, January 2005 – September 2005
Marriott Indianapolis Downtown (616 Rooms), Indianapolis, Indiana, November 2003 – December 2004
Renaissance Ft. Lauderdale Plantation (250 Rooms), Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, June 2002 – November 2003
Renaissance Atlanta Hotel (503 Rooms), Atlanta, Georgia, February 2000 – June 2002
Atlanta Marriott Midtown Suites (254 Suites), Atlanta, Georgia, August 1997 – February 2000
________________________________ _______________ EDUCATION ________________________________ ________________
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Business Management, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, 1997
________________________________ _____________ CERTIFICATIONS ________________________________ ______________
Service Excellence Trainer for Marriott International ⧫ Marriott Property Management System, Systems Manager
College Recruiter for Marriott International ⧫ Starwood ABC’s of Housekeeping Trainer
Starwood ARRIVAL Process Trainer ⧫ Cleanliness for Marriott/Ecolab Training
_____________________________ PROFESSIONAL, CIVIC, AND VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS ______________________________
Officer/Leadership Roles: Board of Director, Human Rights Campaign Foundation
(HRCF) (2013 – 2021)
President/VP, DC Coalition of Black LGBT
People (2008-2010)
Officer/Leadership Roles: Co-Chair, HRC National Board of Governors (2013-2015 Co-Chair, HRC National Dinner 2010, 2011,
2020, 2022 and 2025
Officer/LeadershipRoles: President of the Board of Directors, Capital Pride Alliance
(2017-Present) HRC Emeritius Council, (2022-Present)
________________________________ _________ AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS ________________________________ ________
Marriott Tiefel Award for Extraordinary Customer Service – 2001 Kentucky Colonel Honor Awarded by Governor of Kentucky – 2004
Sheraton Crystal City Hotel Manager of the Quarter – 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award – CAGLCC - 2013
_____________________________ PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES ______________________________
ADP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training Kronos
Marriott CI/TY Sales Platform Microsoft Office Suite GuestWare
LRO Revenue Management Program Starwood Galaxy Systems Property Management MRI Systems
Marriott MARSHA Reservation System
Public Speaking
Career Development and Growth
Project Management
Marriott Property Management System
Community Relations
Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Ashley Smith
Mr. Ashley Smith current serves as President of the Board of Directors of
Capital Pride Alliance and works as General Manager for Sheraton
Pentagon City.
Mr. Smith joined the Capital Pride Alliance Board in 2016. His
commitment to the fight for LGBTQ+ Equality is long and expansive. In
addition to his service as Capital Pride’s Board President, he serves on the
Board of Directors for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Previously, he was on the Board of Directors for the DC Center and served
as a past President and Vice President of the DC Coalition of Black
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People. He was named as one of
the National Co-Chairs for t he Equality March in June 2017. He has
worked up and down the East Coast in the hospitality field for over 20 years.
A Ward 6 resident, Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Arts in business management from
Morehouse College.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: May 21, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution appointing Ashley Smith as a member of
the Commission on Human Rights
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish