Corporate Leadership

Walter H. Aikens
President and CEO

Walter H. Aikens is president of Aikens Hotel Group, Aikens Commercial Property Group and H & W Construction Company. Over the past 38 years, he has expanded the family owned business to a multi divisional corporation which covers commercial and residential developments, shopping complexes, professional office buildings, and several hotels. Its construction company which began in 1930 by his father has served the Shenandoah Valley with commercial, excavation and crane service throughout the years. As a developer his endeavors span the Interstate 81 corridor in Virginia and West Virginia.

As a native of Winchester, Virginia, he is a graduate of John Handley High School and completed his BA degree in economics from the University of Richmond in 1972. After becoming president of H & W Construction in 1984, this visionary began the operation of its crane service and in 1995 created the umbrella company of Aikens Group.

Mr. Aikens is recognized in this community for his leadership and has served on many local boards. He is a Director with the United Bank-Metro DC and is a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Shenandoah University where he is active on the Board. Walter is on the advisory of Valley Health and a trustee at First Christian Church. He is a father of two sons who are involved in the family business and resides in Winchester with his wife.

Steve Parrish
Senior Vice President
Aikens Group

Steve Parrish began his career with the Aikens Group in 1994 as the Vice President of Operations. Mr. Parrish’s duties included the running of the day to day activities of the Martinsburg Comfort Inn along with commercial property leasing in West Virginia. He has played a vital role in the building and developing of seven additional hotels in the Shenandoah Valley ranging from Martinsburg, WV to Front Royal, VA. His experience with hotel development has led the Aikens Hotel Group to expand their hotel holdings to include Hilton Hotels, Marriott, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Choice Hotels. Mr. Parrish was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2006 and became a partner in the company in 1996.

William Aikens
Vice President
H & W Construction

William Aikens graduated from James Madison University in 2000. After receiving his degree in Human Resource Management, he began his career in the family business with H&W Construction Company. Mr. Aikens was responsible for the construction of single family homes in the Willow Lawn Development.

In 2006, William was named Vice President of H&W Construction. He currently manages the commercial division where he supervises construction and excavation projects as well as serving as an estimator for potential new jobs.

Working closely with the project managers, Senior Vice President, and the President he ensure work is completed and customer relations are upheld while striving to meet and exceed the customers expectations. His multitude of projects have included commercial office buildings, hotels, banks, service stations, and many more.

William is a community leader where he is on the Executive boards of the Rotary Club, Clearbrook Fire Company, and Wayside Theater.

Jason Aikens
Vice President
Aikens Group

Jason Aikens began his career in the family business at the age of 16 while attending John Handley High School. During this time he worked and was trained in every position of the hospitality industry. Upon graduating from James Madison University in 2002 with a Business Management degree, he was the Operations Manager for the Aikens Hotel Group.

In 2006 Jason became the Vice President of the Aikens Group. He is responsible for the company’s hotel division as well as coordinating the cross company relationships with the other Aikens Group entities. In this position he and his team develops and implements new ways to stream line the operations efficiency as well as obtain market share. He is the creator of the “Aikens Group Network Community” connecting Aikens Group’s employees, tenants, and leasees promoting their growth and success.