Meet our Team
Mike Akahoshi
Executive Vice President, Hospitality
Mike Akahoshi joined LAZ Parking in 2000 as a Valet Attendant while attending Chapman University in Orange County, CA. In 2004, Mike became the Parking Manager for the Beverly Hilton hotel, where he developed a passion for the hotel and hospitality division. In 2007, Mike was promoted to General Manager of Orange County, where he assisted in building a market presence from four locations to 25 by the end of 2009.
In 2010, Mike took the opportunity to help build the Los Angeles Hospitality Services where we expanded from one hotel to over 50 today. Mike is now the Senior Vice President of Hospitality Services assisting in oversight of over 230 hotels nationwide, along with supporting the continuous growth of our hotel services.
Morgan Van Liew
National Director of Hospitality Operations
Morgan has held varying leadership roles in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, and joined the LAZ family in 2016 as the General Manager of Dallas, TX. During this time, Morgan’s successes and approach to the hospitality space led LAZ to establish a new role leading LAZ’s hospitality operations nationally. Presently, as the National Director of Operations for LAZ Hospitality Services, Morgan oversees all operational facets of our hospitality partnerships, endeavors, and opportunities.
Morgan resides in Dallas and regularly visits and interfaces with all markets nationwide. Additionally, Morgan supports and provides guidance to regional teams in operational planning, underwriting, resource support, and transition oversight. Morgan is a true believer in living the LAZ way and believes that by helping people LAZ will continue to grow expeditiously and is grateful to be apart of such an intentionally compassionate, people first, company.
Morgan is an avid fan of world travel and he hopes to impart a passion and reverence for travel unto his daughter, Malia. Through such travel, he has found many friendships and relationships one of which is a strong bond and tie he has to family in Costa Rica whom he, his wife and daughter visit annually.
Al Pernas
National Assistant Director of Hospitality Operations
Al Pernas is an accomplished Hospitality Professional with over 25 years of experience in different Leadership roles.
It all started in the coveted Leisure and Travel Industry across Europe, where, after 11 years of service with the United Nations in different capacities, his passion for working with people led him to the Hospitality Industry.
Al has extensive experience leading Hotel and Commercial parking operations across the nation, supporting staff numbered in the thousands, and overseeing projects varying in scope and facet from in-house compliance to nationwide operational improvement programs.
Al’s eye for talent and passion for Training, has led to the discovery and development of numerous young Leaders, he considers this to be his greatest achievement.
Avid fisherman, nature lover, and motorcycle enthusiast, Al recently relocated to Nashville, and he can’t wait to explore the beautiful landscapes Tennessee has to offer.
James Christie
National Director of Business Development
James Christie has been in a Hospitality Senior Leadership role overseeing parking operations for more than 18 years. Based in Orlando, FL, James joined LAZ Parking in 2023 as National Director of Business Development for Hospitality.
In this role James serves as a key relationship point-of-contact for all National Accounts, managing partnership programs with diverse groups such as Avendra, Hilton Supply Management, Montage Hotels & Resorts, the American Hotel & Lodging Association to name a few.
James describes, “Our annual theme states “People First”, and our philosophy at LAZ is simple: treat our team members with the utmost care and attention and, in turn, our clients and partners will receive the same. Our culture is the heartbeat of our success and the reason we are industry leaders in the Transportation and Mobility sector.”
Markus Schindelegger
National Task Force Manager
Markus, originally from Vienna, Austria, came to the United States in 2011.
From 2005 to 2017 Markus was working in the hotel and cruise industry including some of the most renowned names in hospitality.
At Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Markus was working on the cruise ships in the position as Hotel Manager and Cruise Director, planning, organizing, and managing onboard and onshore guest activities, before elevating his hospitality career by joining Crystal Cruises as Director of Program Services, developing cruise itineraries and shore excursions, including contracting and budgeting, leading Crystal Cruises to a successful launch of river cruise operations in Central Europe.
In 2017 Markus left the cruise industry and started a career in parking. From Hospitality Manager to Area Manager Markus developed the required skillset and joined the LAZ Family as National Task Force Manager in March 2022.
When not on the road, assisting with hotel valet operations around the country, Markus is passionate about soccer, football, tennis and pretty much any sport out there.