Meet the team

Grounded in Midwestern hospitality and driven by an always-present spirit to innovate, LodgeWorks has created a culture that draws and keeps incredible talent. Over the years, we’ve created five brands, transformed hospitality categories and achieved results that have fueled a 38-year legacy. Most important through it all, we’ve launched careers, supported families and had more fun doing it than you can imagine.

Our partners

At the core of LodgeWorks is our body of accomplished partners. Each partner exemplifies the spirit and the values of our organization.

Rolf Ruhfus

Chairman and CEO

41 years

Rolf is involved in development efforts, oversees all investor and financial relationships and is personally involved with all LodgeWorks hotels and their teams.

"It’s all about the team and the opportunity to do something that larger organizations cannot. Our senior team is experienced and nimble and has the freedom to move quickly for the right opportunity. Our field teams always take care of the guest. It’s a joy."

Mike Daood

President

27 years

Mike leads development efforts and oversees all of LodgeWorks’ corporate and field administration.

"I’m honored to be part of a team so competent, trusted and steeped in legacy. I share the responsibility with my trusted partners, who are also my friends, to sustain our precious culture and advance our spirit of creativity. The qualities I most admire: honesty, gentleness, decisiveness and intellect."

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Don Marvin

EVP — Development and Construction

38 years

Don oversees all LodgeWorks hotel construction projects and is involved in all company development efforts.

"Even after 38+ years in this business, it's still a rush like no other to direct a hotel project from the beginning to the last detail and wow our clients and competition."

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Roy Baker

EVP — Finance and Treasurer

41 years

Roy is responsible for the overall financial administration of LodgeWorks, including all accounting and tax activities.

"I never planned on leaving public accounting, but when the opportunity to work for the people who started LodgeWorks arose, I made the change. After 40+ years, I still know it was the right decision."

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Gregory Epp

EVP — Corporate Operations

23 years

Greg oversees the financial performance and operations of all LodgeWorks hotels.

"As one might expect, I have a passion for numbers and really pay attention to details. I learned these values at an early age growing up as a son of a sole proprietor. What I found when I joined LodgeWorks is that we have the same attention to detail both in our hotels and for our guests."

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Cheryl Gilliam

SVP — Brands and Marketing

33 years

Cheryl is responsible for LodgeWorks’ brand, marketing and media efforts.

"I love the chance to create experiences — and that’s what great brands do. Our guests see a composite of thousands of choices that resonate as a brand. Done well, it seems so simple. As brand innovators and incubators, we not only get to make it up — we get to make it work.

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Blaze Brigman

SVP — Field Operations

28 years

Blaze leads and oversees the daily operations for the LodgeWorks hotel portfolio.

"I was attracted to the hospitality industry as a career path at a young age. Being the seventh of eight children taught me many lessons about personalities, team building and successful 'HR chemistry.' I really enjoy being with our team leaders and staff where I feel I make a difference in operational efficiencies and maintaining the growth of our LodgeWorks culture."

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Liz Thompson

SVP — Sales and Revenue

32 years

Liz oversees the sales leadership and revenue-generating aspects of the portfolio.

"I've always been driven and inspired by the results of successful direct sales. It's what motivates me every day. I find the process of reaching out to customers, meeting their needs and building long-term partnerships that make their lives easier the most rewarding aspect of my position."

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Katrin Klages

VP — Finance

25 years

Katrin manages investor and financial relationships.

"A management team that is also personally invested in each hotel project ensures a true partnership among all parties involved. It makes it much easier to convince investors of the strength and integrity of our experienced team."

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Seth White

VP and CFO

16 years

Seth oversees the financial performance, operations and capital purchasing of LodgeWorks hotels.

"I’ve always enjoyed building things and seeing the results of quality-built projects. In addition, I’m a numbers- and results-oriented person. LodgeWorks allows me to use my passion for ground-up development and ultimately ensuring the successful operating results of those projects."

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Maria Whiteman

General Counsel and VP — Business Affairs

10 years

Maria is responsible for the legal affairs of the company, including the legal aspects of real estate development and financing.

"The innovation, collaboration and respect among the entire group make being a part of this partnership something that I do not take for granted. The best part of my role is that I get to work with all aspects of the business, from concept through development and operations."

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We've been together a long time. There's a tremendous amount of experience and trust among our team. You rarely find that combination anywhere.

Our team

Our talented team consists of innovators, motivators, achievers and ambassadors. Their passion for sky-high guest satisfaction shines through their efforts every day.

Albert Kowalczykowski

Regional Director — Operations

16 years

Albert oversees several hotels in our portfolio and interfaces with brand, corporate and field operations.

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Amy Pruski

Manager — Brand Systems

9 years

Amy manages Archer Hotel systems and is a liaison between the brand and accounting departments.

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Ann Zele

VP — Finance and Accounting

34 years

Ann develops and oversees hotel, corporate and partnership accounting systems, accounting data and financial reporting, as well as providing analysis and data for partner decision-making.

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Becky Peek

Manager — Payroll

8 years

Becky guides managers and staff through onboarding, payroll processes and the HR information system, as well as managing all payroll transactions.

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Jamie Parker

Human Resources Manager

8 years

Jamie supports recruiting, employee-manager relations, training and development, payroll and benefits, compensation and performance, risk management, federal and statutory leave and unemployment.

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Jason Bomba

Development Manager

16 years

Jason assists in the development and construction of the Archer Hotel collection.

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Jason Wade

Regional Director — Operations

16 years

Jason oversees several hotels in our portfolio and interfaces with brand, corporate and field operations.

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Jeff Thomas

VP — Construction

16 years

Jeff manages the portfolio’s construction from groundbreaking to completion, ensuring that all requirements, installations and inspections are met.

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Jennifer McPherson

Senior Director — Human Resources

21 years

Jennifer oversees the HR team, aligns HR strategies with the company’s overall business objectives and plays a crucial role in talent acquisition and management.

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Jennifer Regan

Director — Brand and Marketing Production

16 years

Jennifer manages the day-to-day marketing efforts for Archer Hotel and supports our other great brands.

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Joyce Provencher

VP — Property Accounting

34 years

Joyce manages the hotel accounting department for LodgeWorks, encompassing accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial statement preparation and internal audit.

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Karen Harvey

Manager — Benefits

1 year

Karen manages all benefits-related programs, including employee eligibility, enrollments and leaves of absence.

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Kayme Pumphrey Grafel

Manager — Marketing

2 years

Kayme manages the day-to-day marketing efforts for Archer Hotel and supports our other great brands.

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Kaytlyn Powers

Sales and Legal Enablement Specialist

14 years

Kaytlyn enables LodgeWorks’ sales and legal teams by assisting with training, process creation, best practices and tools for field support.

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Leanda Weaver

VP — Corporate Accounting

33 years

Leanda manages the corporate accounting department, including accounts payable, banking responsibilities and preparation of corporate financial statements.

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Luke Catlin

Senior Director — Information Technology

9 years

Luke oversees all IT systems and hotel connectivity across the LodgeWorks portfolio.

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Maria Skubal

Senior Director — Field Accountancy — Audit and Operations

37 years

Maria leads internal audits and provides operations support for the LodgeWorks portfolio.

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Marko Poznanovich

Regional Revenue Manager

12 years

Marko guides daily revenue management, strategy and implementation for a portion of the LodgeWorks portfolio.

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Matt Aarstad

Regional Revenue Manager

9 years

Matt is responsible for daily revenue management, strategy and implementation for a portion of the LodgeWorks portfolio.

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Megan Gederian

Director — Brand Experience and Operations

9 years

Megan is a key field liaison, ensuring a consistent brand experience across the hotel collection.

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Michelle Fiorletti

VP — Revenue Management

15 years

Michelle oversees the revenue strategies and implementation for the LodgeWorks portfolio.

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Michelle Holle

VP — Tax

23 years

Michelle oversees the tax department and is responsible for investor and hotel income tax compliance.

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Nick Langerot

Senior Project Manager

7 years

Nick manages hotel construction from groundbreaking to opening, working to ensure the highest quality by managing all requirements, installations, inspections and general contracting standards.

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Peter Triolo

Senior Director — Food and Beverage

7 years

Peter oversees food and beverage operations for half of the LodgeWorks portfolio, including service delivery, food quality and menu implementation.

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Sandie Vogt

Manager — Operations and Sales

26 years

Sandie supports and manages the day-to-day efforts of our sales and operational teams.

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Scott Neumann

Field Food and Beverage Manager

7 years

Scott assists in food and beverage operations at our hotels and is responsible for menu creation and development for the suburban Archer Hotel locations.

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Shelby Kaufman

Digital Marketing Strategist

8 years

Shelby is responsible for the digital marketing strategy.

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Suzanne Chance

VP — Digital Marketing

28 years

Suzanne leads the interactive strategy and execution for LodgeWorks. She manages initiatives to drive revenue to the hotel’s website and stays up to date with the latest industry trends in digital marketing and e-commerce.

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Terri Maus

Senior Director — Marketing

1 year

Terri is our senior director of marketing, leading strategies that help drive revenue and elevate our brand and marketing efforts.

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