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
28 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
39 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
42 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
34 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
29 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
33 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
SVP — 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
SVP 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 SVP — 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
24 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
10 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
35 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
9 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
Jason Wade
Regional Director — Operations
17 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
3 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
15 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
34 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
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
13 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
10 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
8 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
27 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
8 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
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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