Azim Saju is the Vice President and General Counsel for HDG Hotels. HDG Hotels is a hotel management and development company which owns and operates 9 hotels, including 5 Choice brands, 1 Hampton brand, 2 Holiday Inn brands and 1 Wyndham brand, throughout Central and North Central Florida. HDG has a strong culture which focuses on hotel operations and on consistent brilliance in executing on the basics. This culture places strong emphasis on team building, coaching, motivating, leadership, training and retraining.
Prior to joining HDG Hotels, Azim Saju practiced law as a trial lawyer for over 9 years. He is a member of the Florida Bar and Federal Bar. As part of his practice, Azim primarily practiced in the areas of employment law and civil rights cases. Academically, Azim holds an economics degree from Davidson College and a law degree from the University of Florida. While at the University of Florida College of Law, Azim’s notable achievement was serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Florida Journal of International Law.
Azim has been a member of the Choice Hotels Owners’ Council (CHOC) for four years. In this capacity, he has served as the Director of the Florida Region and also served in the capacity of Treasurer as an Executive Committee member of CHOC. Azim is currently the Chairperson of the Choice Hotels Owners Council.
Most recently, Choice Hotels International recognized Azim’s achievement and strong track record in the hospitality industry by awarding him its Premier Alliance Award. In addition, the Marion County Chamber of Commerce awarded HDG hotels its Business of the Year Award.