Robert O’Loughlin is the Chairman and CEO of Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM) which he founded in 1986. In the more than 35 years LHM has been in business, O’Loughlin has developed several hotels and managed over 50 hotels around the country. His most recent acquisition is the historic St. Louis Union Station and the Curio by Hilton St. Louis Union Station Hotel. New to the LHM family of hotels is the recently opened Westport Social, the Boundary Restaurant at the Cheshire, Basso Italian Gastro Pub, Starbucks at the Cheshire, The Back Room, The Upstairs at the Cheshire, Homewood Suites Westport, Marriott West, the Crowne Plaza St. Louis Airport Hotel, The Embassy Suites, The St. Louis Aquarium, The Wheel, Soda Fountain, Carousel, Ropes Course and Train Shed.
Some of the LHM properties include the Sheratons at Westport, Hilton at the Airport, Marriott at the Airport, Hilton at the Ballpark, 360 Rooftop Bar, Doubletree Westport, and the entire Westport Plaza Complex located in St. Louis County.
O’Loughlin has been in the hotel business for over 50 years, when he began his career with Hilton Hotel Corporation. He managed properties in Hartford, Connecticut; Cincinnati, Ohio; Oakland and San Francisco, California. O’Loughlin moved to St Louis in 1976, where he grew AIRCOA Hospitality from eight hotels to 60 hotels prior to forming LHM.
He is a member of several community and business organizations, including the Regional Business Council and sits on the Boards for the Logos School, Saint Louis University, Washington University, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis Sports Commission, St. Louis Police Foundation, Enterprise Bank and Trust, the Jefferson National Park Association, St. Louis Regional Chamber, Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis and is a past Governor of the Missouri Athletic Club.
Cherry Diamond: What drew you to join the Missouri Athletic Club?
Robert O’Loughlin: The basketball program.
CD: What is the most memorable event you have attended at the MAC?
RO: Sports personality of the year with Jack Buck; honoring Bob Hyland, Jack Buck, Bob Costas and Dan Dierdorf.
CD: What is your favorite tradition that the Club has?
RO: The Election.
CD: Tell us about your professional career at Lodging Hospitality Management.
RO: I started LHM 36 years ago and have been blessed with many opportunities to grow a company that has operated or owned over 50 hotels. Part of that growth was purchasing the Ballpark Hilton, creating 360 Rooftop Bar, purchasing and developing Union Station, the Aquarium and Wheel. Also purchasing Westport Plaza where we are adding 254 apartments with multiple entertainment facilities.
CD: How does the Club connect your professional and social lives?
RO: I have met more people and established business relationships and friendships at the MAC than all other organizations combined.
CD: How do you spend your time outside of LHM and the Club?
RO: Playing golf and taking trips around the United States and world.
CD: When people ask you about the MAC, how do you describe it to them?
RO: A fantastic Club and place where you will meet and establish both personal and professional relationships.
CD: What can Members expect when attending the MAC Speaker Series in August?
RO: A story about my background, what brought me to St. Louis, how I developed my business, and what to expect St. Louis’s future will look like with the exciting projects currently underway.
CD: What do you hope attendees take away from your speech at the MAC Speaker Series?
RO: Anything is possible if you have a passion for what you do, and you can influence major projects by dreaming of positive outcomes.