HFTP Named Raymond Martz 2026 Paragon Award Recipient

The Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals group recognized Martz for his contributions to industry standards.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Hospitality

Isometric editorial illustration of clean, rectilinear hotel architecture volumes and structural floor-plan sections, symbolizing professional industry accounting standards. — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) named Raymond Martz, co-president and CFO of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, the 2026 Paragon Award recipient for his industry-standard accounting leadership. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) selected Raymond Martz, co-president and CFO of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, for the 2026 Paragon Award. The honor acknowledges his extensive career in hospitality finance and his role in guiding the development of the 12th revised Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI).

Why it matters

The Paragon Award recognizes individuals whose professional service influences the operational and accounting standards that hospitality businesses use to track performance. Martz's leadership in the 12th revised USALI, published in July 2024, directly shapes how operators standardize financial reporting to maintain consistency across the sector.

Martz has spearheaded more than $15 billion in capital markets transactions over his career, growing Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from a $400 million initial public offering in 2009. These results stand as benchmarks for operational scaling in the lodging sector.

The players

Raymond Martz

Co-president and CFO of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust with a three-decade career in hospitality finance and capital markets.

HFTP

A professional association for the hospitality industry that sets financial, technology, and operational standards.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

A publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on the acquisition and ownership of hotel properties.

The details

Martz co-chaired the committee that finalized the 12th revised USALI, which provides a standardized framework for hotel accounting. His career spans over three decades, including finance and operations roles at firms such as Orient Hotel Group, Tishman Hotel Corp, and LaSalle Hotel Properties, providing him with a foundation to influence industry-wide financial management practices.

Martz held hotel operations roles at Orient Hotel Group from 1994 to 1995.
Martz worked at Tishman Hotel Corp from 1995 to 1997.
Martz co-founded Pebblebrook Hotel Trust in 2009.
The 12th revised USALI was published in July 2024.
Martz was named the recipient of the 2026 Paragon Award.

Market Landscape

This recognition underscores the influence of the 12th revised Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) on current hotel accounting practices. The standard remains the primary reference point for operators seeking to maintain consistent financial reporting across diverse portfolios.

Operators should review their financial reporting against the 12th revised USALI standards to ensure compliance with the latest industry benchmarks. Staying current with these guidelines is essential for any hotel business looking to maintain accurate, audit-ready financial statements.

The takeaway

Industry standards such as the USALI are built on the collaboration of seasoned operators and finance leaders. Consider tracking the committee outputs of major hospitality associations to anticipate the next shift in industry-wide accounting requirements.