Directors

Our beloved Chairman Paul Patel unexpectedly passed away on December 24, 2022.  Our American Pride Bank family is heartbroken by the passing of our Chairman and friend Paul Patel.  We are so thankful for the opportunity that we had to work with, and for, Paul.  Paul will be greatly missed by his American Pride Bank family.

Paul K. Patel, a founding organizer of American Pride Bank, has served on the boards of American Pride Bank and its holding company American Bancorp, Inc. since October 2018; he was elected by the boards of both in October 2020 to serve as Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Patel is the President and CEO of Elite Hotel Management Group, and is also the owner of many well branded hotel franchises, including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt and Choice Hotels.  Mr. Patel was born and raised in the United Kingdom and earned a master's degree  in marketing and management and a bachelor's degree in accounting from Cranfield University.

Mr. Patel's professional hotel qualifications include Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA).  Paul also served as a governor for Best Western International, as well as a member of the advisory committee board for BW International Charity, also known as Best Western 4 a Better World (BW4BW).  Paul was nominated by the Georgia Secretary of State for Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award.  Mr. Patel served on the Banks County Chamber/CVB board from 2010 to 2015, and was the Chairman of the Board in 2015.  Paul is also a devotee to his local temple in Atlanta, GA and is a strong supporter of local schools and his community.