Adam Plous
Division President of Hotels
Joshua Howard
President & Chief Legal Officer
Josh is a seasoned attorney with over two decades of experience providing strategic counsel to businesses and developers across the southeast region. Josh oversees the Contender family of brands, encompassing a diverse portfolio of commercial and residential real estate ventures, as well as development initiatives.
Under his leadership, he has assembled a high-performing team of professionals in management, legal, finance, and real estate. Josh holds a Bachelor's degree from Clemson University and earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Prior to his current role, he served as a Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, LLP and Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA. He also held a law clerk position with the Honorable Henry M. Herlong Jr. of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Josh has consistently demonstrated a commitment to community leadership, maintaining an active presence in both the southeast legal community and the South Carolina business sector.
Adam Plous serves as Division President of Hotels for Contender Hospitality, where he oversees the development and asset management of hotels operating under various Marriott flags. In his role, Adam helps guide site selection, deal structure, hotel development and performance, and strategic growth across the company’s hospitality portfolio.
Adam brings 20 years of experience in hospitality leadership to Contender America. He began his career as an intern at the Overland Park Marriott and went on to serve as General Manager for Marriott International, White Lodging, and Aimbridge Hospitality, leading multiple Marriott- and Hilton-branded hotels in major markets across the United States. Throughout his career, he has hired and developed hundreds of team members while building deep expertise in revenue analysis, budgeting, human resources, and client relations.
A 2005 graduate of Kansas State University, Adam earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He is also active in his local community, having served on numerous Area Hotel Associations and Business Councils.
