StepStone's Team of Visionaries

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Tom Russo's business experience encompasses management in restaurants, lodging, and consumer goods. As Founder and Executive Chairman, he provides strategic leadership, best practices, and core values to the operation and its associates. Tom is known in the restaurant industry as one of its strongest operators - able to gain the support and trust of the field management and to very quickly get them focused on extracting profit from the sales realized.

His hospitality career began at Howard Johnson's as a manager trainee. During his twenty years there, he held numerous executive positions, including President of Restaurants and Hotels. In 1985, Tom joined Ponderosa as President where he operated and franchised over 800 restaurants in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. In addition, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of ESI Meats, a subsidiary of Ponderosa, Inc.

In December of 1989, Mr. Russo was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hanson Industries Housewares Group. At the time, Hanson Industries was a conglomerate, operating over 200 companies in the US and abroad. The Housewares Group operated consumer durable business throughout the US, the Far East, and Europe. From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Russo held the position of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Miami Subs. From 1998 to 2003, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Hospitality Concepts, Inc., a privately held firm that operated and franchised 145 casual dining restaurants in 24 states and Canada.

Mr. Russo is a graduate of Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science. He also received a Doctor of Business Administration in Foodservice Management Honoris Causa from Johnson and Wales University.

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Blair Wills, currently the President and CEO of StepStone Hospitality, has over 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to his roles with StepStone he was a Vice President at Hotel Asset Value Enhancement where he was responsible for the asset management of a portfolio that included Marriott, Hyatt, independent, and other luxury branded hotels. He also oversaw numerous underwriting and due diligence assignments for client acquisitions as well as additional consulting assignments.

Prior to joining hotelAVE, Blair was an analyst for The Plasencia Group, Inc., where he developed a proprietary hotel financial analysis model. Additionally, he spent time as a member of the Leisure, Lodging and Gaming Equity research team at Deutsche Banc Alex Brown, where he was involved in extensive industry research and development of industry reports.

Blair is a graduate of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University with an emphasis in Finance. He is currently a member of The School of Hospitality Business's Alumni Association Appointed Board of Directors and Real Estate Investment and Development Advisory Council. He is also co-chair of the Student & Industry Resource Center Advisory Committee at Michigan State University. In 2015, Blair was awarded the title of Emerging Alumnus Leader of the Year by Michigan State University's School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association.

He was previously a member of the Hospitality Asset Manager's Association and co-authored, with Michelle Russo, the "Benchmarking and Financial Analysis" chapter of the Hotel Asset Management Principles and Practices (2nd edition) textbook. From 2011 to 2018, he was a guest professor in the HB 490 Hotel Investments and Asset Management course at Michigan State University. In addition, he has been a guest lecturer at Cornell University, industry panelist at Michigan State University and was a guest speaker at the Spring 2009 Hospitality Asset Managers.

Memberships/Affiliations:
Michigan State, The School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association Appointed Board of Directors
Michigan State, Real Estate Investment and Development Advisory Council

Awards/Recognition:
2015 Emerging Alumnus Leader of the Year - Michigan State University's School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2010

Interests and Hobbies:
Golf, tennis, ping pong and Detroit sports

Michael Broadhurst is a seasoned hospitality industry professional with over 25 years of experience in managing complex hotel assets across all major brands and segments. He has a strong background in implementing strategies that drive performance that increases the overall value.

Before joining StepStone Hospitality as the Chief Operating Officer, Michael spent nearly a decade at Crescent Hotels and Resorts where he held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations overseeing a large portfolio of upscale branded, independent and luxury hotels. He has a diverse background in the hospitality industry having started as a dishwasher when he was a teenager in NJ, then working his way up through hotel food and beverage leadership positions and eventually becoming a General Manager. He has a vast food and beverage background, launching numerous independent restaurant and bar concepts. Michael's experience also includes the opening of several hotels from the ground up and leading multiple property acquisitions and transitions, making him well-versed in the transaction side of the business.

Additionally, Michael is known for his dedication to building teams and driving results, which has been a winning strategy for his clients throughout his career. His vast knowledge and experience in the hospitality industry, combined with his passion for exceptional service, makes him a valuable asset to StepStone Hospitality.

He is a well-rounded individual who brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to excellence to the organization. With his wealth of experience in hotel strategic management and leadership skills, Michael is well positioned to continue driving the success of StepStone Hospitality.

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2023

Interests and Hobbies:
In his free time, Michael is an avid cyclist and enjoys spending quality time with his family, especially at the lake.

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Rick Pagsibigan has over 20 years of human resources management experience. Before StepStone, he spent 7 years in various complex and regional human resources leadership roles with Crestline Hotels & Resorts. Prior to Crestline, Rick spent 10 years working for the American Red Cross, with his last position being Chief Human Resources & Strategy Officer for the Greater Philadelphia Region. Rick is responsible for the organization's people strategy. He honed in on upholding the value of the human assets of the business through his background, education and experience. It is his mission to constantly look for ways to enhance the employee experience in order attract and retain the best and the brightest talent. Rick earned a master's degree in Human Resource Management from Marymount University and a bachelor's degree in Communications from George Mason University. He also holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation from the Human Resources Certification Institute and a Society for Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Memberships/Affiliations:
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Membership

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2014

Interests and Hobbies:
Travel, food and wine!

Gary Obert is an accomplished lodging executive with over 20 years accounting, finance, hotel operations, and auditing experience, known for his commitment to his team and passion for driving results. Gary was named Chief Financial Officer of StepStone Hospitality in February 2023. As CFO, he provides strategic leadership for the company's finance functions as well as management of its financial and capital resources.

Prior to joining StepStone, Gary spent 9 years with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as a Senior Regional Director, Finance where he provided financial leadership, oversight, and support for a portfolio of 14 hotels with a total room count of 4,351 and over $240M in annual revenue. Before joining Wyndham, Gary spent nearly 14 years at Marriott International where he served in a range of financial leadership positions of increasing responsibility over his tenure. Gary's first Marriott assignment was as Assistant Director of Finance & Accounting at The Philadelphia Airport Marriott. Over the next 12 years, Gary had various hotel assignments with his final one being the Director of Finance & Accounting at Marriott's flagship hotel, The JW Marriott in Washington DC. His proven financial expertise and industry relationships will contribute greatly to enhancing the value of StepStone clients' assets.

Awards/Recognition:
Gary received his Bachelor of Science degree from Rosemont College.

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2023

Interests and Hobbies:
In his free time, Gary enjoys exercise and running, family trips, and is a big fan of PSU football and Washington Capitals hockey.

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Jeff Dallas is responsible for new business activity and the growth of StepStone Hospitality through management, ownership, and development opportunities. With a career spanning over 30 years in the real estate and hospitality industries, he has experience in single asset and portfolio transactions, joint ventures, management and franchise agreements, asset management, dispositions, and recapitalizations.

Prior to joining StepStone, Jeff was Senior Vice President, Business Development for the Wyndham Hotel Group. He was responsible for expanding relationships with multiunit, full-service asset owners including private equity groups, real estate investment trusts, developers, high net worth individuals, lenders, and other financial institutions with hospitality portfolios. 

Before joining Wyndham in 2006, he was Senior Vice President, Business Development for the Remington Hotel Corporation, a lodging and hospitality company, where he oversaw their venture partner relations, asset management, and new business development. From 1992 to 2003, he was Partner, Real Estate and Hospitality Advisory Services, for Ernst & Young LLP, where he provided advisory services to clients in the areas of strategic planning, valuation support, business process improvement, mergers and acquisition due diligence, and owner and lender representation. Prior, he served as Director of Hotel Investments for the Prudential Realty Group, where he managed both the investment and asset management strategies for the company, its joint ventures, and its institutionally owned hotels.  He began his career with Guest Quarter Hotels and held various departmental roles in operations.

Jeff is a frequent lecturer and speaker at industry conferences and earned a B.S. from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and an M.B.A. from Cornell University's Johnson School of Graduate Management.

Memberships/Affiliations:
Cornell Hotel Society
LIIC - Lodging Industry Investment Council

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2015

Interests and Hobbies:
Family trips, Golf, Lacrosse

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Don Schoen provides operational support to on-property personnel within the StepStone hotel portfolio. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Don has broad-based experience in multi-property operations, revenue generation, business operations, sales & marketing deployment, GSS improvement, and implementation of brand standards. He is experienced in both independent and branded hotels including Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, Holiday Inn, and Hyatt properties. He served as Regional Director of Operations for Pillar Hotels. Don possesses an in-depth knowledge of planning and completing major capital improvements on property, including guest room/public space renovations, elevator installations, and technology upgrades. Don is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University.

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2013

Tom Sprankle is joining StepStone Hospitality and brings 30 years of experience in all levels of hotel management across all major brands and segments. Tom is "all in" for delivering consistent results and driving strong ROI for our investors by supporting our leaders to be the best of the best.

Before joining StepStone Hospitality as Senior Vice President of Operations, Tom was Vice President of Twenty-Four Seven Hotels and spent over a decade at Stonebridge Companies where he held the position of Vice President of Operations overseeing a portfolio of full service; lifestyle; extended stay and select service hotels. Tom started his hospitality career in high school as a dishwasher which led to numerous positions in food and beverage and hotel operations. Tom graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Hotel School and had worked in numerous markets across the United States.

Interests and Hobbies:

Spending time with his wife, attending practices and games with my children, coaching youth sports, health, and fitness, and cheering on my family.

Robert Ash's lifelong career in hospitality has led him to StepStone Hospitality, where he began his journey as Vice President of Food and Beverage in May 2023. With over 25 years of experience, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of operations to oversee our portfolio of hotels and resorts' Food and Beverage Operations.

In his previous roles, Robert served as Executive Director of Operations - Food & Beverage / Culinary for Forbes 5 Star Wynn Resorts, Regional Director of Operations - Culinary & Beverage for Accor Hotels Canada, Regional Executive Chef for Omni Hotels & Resorts, Director of Food and Beverage - Marcus Hotels & Resorts, among other prestigious positions.

Renowned for his excellence in food and beverage, innovation in concept development, financial acumen, and leadership, Robert has been empowered to create F&B programs without boundaries, tailored to the complex tastes and diverse palates of our guests. Under his guidance, our team of F&B hospitality professionals will strive for excellence and reach greater heights.

Interests and Hobbies:
Robert is a avid golfer, enjoys fishing and spending time traveling with his family.

Amish Naik joined StepStone Hospitality in 2023 as Vice President of New Business Development. His focus is helping StepStone Hospitality and its ownership partners expand their portfolios via both acquisition and new development opportunities. Over his career in the hospitality industry, Amish has worked for major brand companies, including IHG, Marriott, and Choice, as well as entrepreneurs and other management companies. He has a deep understanding of hospitality investment and market analysis based on doing hundreds of feasibility studies during his career. When not working, Amish enjoys traveling, golfing, walking his dog, and spending time with his grandkids.

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Logan has been the Director of Development at StepStone Hospitality since April of 2022. His main responsibilities include preparing investment analysis, maintaining internal development pipeline and communicating with various stakeholders during all stages of growth opportunities. Logan plays a critical role in acquisitions, change in management scenarios, and ground up development initiatives for StepStone.

Prior to joining StepStone, Logan spent the first two years of his career at Park Hotels & Resorts in Virginia as an analyst for both the FP&A and Corporate Finance teams. His main responsibilities included corporate and capital budgeting, portfolio flash reports, various balance sheet initiatives, and summarizing portfolio operations and corporate financial activity for quarterly earnings call scripts.

Logan earned a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business, as well as a minor in Real Estate Investment Management from The School of Hospitality Business. At Michigan State, Logan was involved with the Real Estate Investment Club and was a student ambassador for many industry conferences such as ALIS and NYU. Additionally, in 2019, Logan was a member of the 1st place team at the annual STR Student Market Study competition in New York.

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2022

Interests and Hobbies:
Hockey, Music, Traveling, Skiing, Camping/Hiking, Reading, Spending time with loved ones

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Amy Domizi, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at StepStone Hospitality, brings a wealth of experience in hotel sales and marketing across a diverse range of brands, including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and independent boutique hotels. Joining StepStone Hospitality in 2012 as Director of Sales and Marketing, Amy's proven track record led her to assume the role of Regional Director of Sales and Marketing in 2015, and she was further elevated to Vice President in 2021.

Throughout her tenure, Amy has spearheaded multiple sales teams, driving increased revenue and RevPAR results through comprehensive strategies encompassing direct sales, marketing, digital marketing, and revenue management. Prior to her tenure at StepStone, Amy honed her skills at Marriott International, overseeing group efforts for various extended stay and select service hotels.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Education and Allied Professions in Tourism from Bowling Green State University, underpinning her passion for the hospitality industry and her commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Memberships/Affiliations:
Global Business Travel Association, Marriott Sales Leadership Coach, Marriott International

Awards/Recognition:
"Top Achievement Award" two years in a row- for being in the top 5 of the company based on revenue, RevPAR, guest satisfaction, and profitability performance
"Marriott RevPAR Index Award" for all Marriott's in Broward County
"Sales Team of the Quarter", Marriott International

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2012

Interests and Hobbies:
Spending time with family and friends, traveling to new locations, and staying active by participating in a variety of activities that include yoga, Pilates, golf, walking outdoors, relaxing the pool and trying new restaurants.

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Kristina Randorf brings nearly 20 years of extensive experience in hotel operations and revenue management to her role. She has worked across select service, full service, and luxury boutique properties, consistently driving successful RevPAR results through strategic planning and strong team leadership. Throughout her career, Kristina has held positions such as Director of Revenue at the property level and Regional Director of Revenue, collaborating with renowned brands including IHG, Marriott, Hilton, Omni Hotels & Resorts, and Morgan's Hotel Group.

Kristina holds a degree in Hospitality Management and is a Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME), recognized by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. She has been a valued member of the StepStone Hospitality team since August 2017, where her expertise has significantly contributed to the company's success.

With 25 years in the hospitality industry, Kristina's journey began as a Night Auditor, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of hotel operations from the ground up. Outside of work, she enjoys cruising and traveling with her husband, Jason, indulging in their shared passion for exploration and adventure. Looking to the future, Kristina aspires to own her own Bed & Breakfast, fulfilling her dream of creating memorable experiences for guests in a personalized setting.

Memberships/Affiliations:
Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME)

Awards/Recognition:
Manager of the Quarter - Omni Hotels 2006
Spirit of Care Award - Hilton Hotels 2009
Manager of the Year - Millennium Hotels 2012
Highest Annual RevPAR and Forecast Accuracy - Sage Hospitality 2017
Manager of the Quarter - Hotel Indigo 2018

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2017

Interests and Hobbies:
Painting, cruising, and spending time with family

John Panko brings over 30 years of extensive experience in hospitality sales, marketing, and operations to StepStone Hospitality, having worked with renowned industry brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and independent hotels. In October 2023, he joined StepStone Hospitality as Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Prior to his role at StepStone Hospitality, John dedicated 16 years to Sage Hospitality Group, where he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, overseeing sales, revenue, and marketing for Sage Hospitality Group's Premier and Lifestyle Division. His tenure at Sage Hospitality Group was marked by his adept management of full-service and independent hotels, including successful transitions and openings of numerous properties. Notably, John spent the past two years as General Manager of the acclaimed UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, where he led both operations and sales.

Throughout his career, John has demonstrated a remarkable ability to drive hotels to topline success in both rooms and food and beverage segments. His expertise lies in leveraging brand systems and programs, implementing sales and revenue management strategies, executing integrated marketing campaigns (including eCommerce), and cultivating high-performing sales and marketing teams.

John holds a Journalism degree from Ohio University, which has undoubtedly enriched his communication and storytelling skills, contributing to his success in the hospitality industry.

Beyond his professional endeavors, John finds joy in spending quality time with his family, exploring beach destinations during travels, and indulging in his passion for golfing. These interests and hobbies provide him with balance and rejuvenation outside of his dynamic career in hospitality.

Mel Miller joined StepStone Hospitality in October 2023, bringing over 13 years of Digital Marketing, PR, and advertising experience across diverse industries. Joining the Hospitality Industry in May 2020 amidst the pandemic's peak, Mel has witnessed and been inspired by the resilience of her peers and leaders worldwide.

As a digital maven, Mel is deeply passionate about storytelling, branding, driving revenue, and fostering leadership. Her journey in the hospitality sector has been fueled by her unwavering commitment to elevating guest experiences and enhancing brand presence.

With a Bachelor's in Design | Media Arts from UCLA and seven years in the entertainment business in LA, Mel's creative flair and strategic acumen have been honed through various ventures before her transition to the hospitality realm. She is CHBA (Certified Hospitality Business Acumen) and CHDM (Certified Hotel Digital Marketing) certified from HSMAI.

At StepStone Hospitality, Mel's role extends beyond conventional marketing. She thrives on crafting compelling copy, creating engaging content, and spearheading marketing activations that resonate with audiences and captures revenue for each hotel. Additionally, she is deeply invested in corporate marketing initiatives, particularly in social media, recruiting and company-wide communications/internal efforts.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Mel finds solace in traveling both near and far and spending time with her niece and nephews. When not onsite at a hotel, she is probably enjoying a glass of prosecco while watching sports and playing fetch with her cat, Chazz.

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Billie-Ann Moore returned to the StepStone family in 2022, this time as the Regional Director of Human Resources. Billie-Ann had previously joined StepStone from 2014 – 2018 as the Director of Human Resources of the Doubletree by Hilton Nashville. She has had extensive HR experience in the Hospitality Industry from big box Independents, Marriott, and Hilton to intimate Luxury properties, in addition to Consulting, and State Government. She began her HR career working with Gaylord Hotels & Resorts where she spent almost 15 years developing her skillset within each HR discipline. Prior to returning to the StepStone family she served as HR Director and Area HR Director for hotels in the Nashville Market.

Billie-Ann is passionate about fostering a fun and open culture through team member and leadership engagement. She is also metrics driven and results oriented, firmly believes in the saying “what gets measured gets done.” She is working on multiple projects in the HR realm to move our human capital strategies forward and is directly involved with all hotel acquisitions and divestitures.

Membership/Affiliations
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Membership

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2022

Interests and Hobbies:
Scuba Diving, Traveling, Lake and Salt Life with a splash of bourbon & whiskey

Kim Nguyen was born and raised in the vibrant city of Saigon, Vietnam, where her roots and cultural heritage shape her worldview. At the age of 16, she embarked on an adventure to Nashville, Tennessee, where she spent two transformative years in high school. It was here that she not only mastered the English language but also formed lasting friendships with people from diverse backgrounds around the globe.

Kim's academic journey led her to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration at a prestigious private college in Nashville, with a keen focus on Management and Entrepreneurial Studies. Her education provided her with a solid foundation for her professional aspirations and fueled her passion for innovation and leadership.

Despite her busy schedule, Kim finds solace in spending quality time with her family, especially her parents, and adoring nieces and nephews. Family bonds are deeply cherished and prioritized in her life.

Driven by her curiosity and love for exploration, Kim makes it a point to embark on international trips annually, immersing herself in different cultures, cuisines, and traditions. Additionally, she seizes every opportunity for smaller domestic getaways, relishing precious moments with her loved ones and friends.

In her leisure time, Kim indulges in the simple pleasures of life. She savors a glass of red wine, allowing its rich flavors to complement moments of relaxation. Often, she finds serenity in the soothing melodies of instrumental music, providing a backdrop for reflection and rejuvenation.

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With over 25 years of dedicated experience in hospitality accounting, Sherri is passionate about the world of hospitality. Being immersed into the field straight out of high school, she has experienced all facets of full and limited-service hotels.  However, throughout her career, she has honed her expertise in managing financial operations for hotels, resorts, and restaurants.

Prior to joining StepStone Hospitality in 2019, Sherri worked as the Property Accountant with TPG Companies servicing many of the 60 hotels & commercial properties within the company portfolio.

Outside of the financial world, Sherri enjoys seeking new adventures with her family, trying new activities and experiencing new locations from down the street to across the country.  You can always count on Sherri to celebrate those around her with a card, cupcake or a random group game.  In the summer, you can always find her soaking in the limited Rhode Island sunshine along the coastline.

Heather Poisson-Perkins is a Regional Controller with over 22 years of experience in fiduciary administration and management in Hotel Accounting across a broad range of hotel brands and segments.

Before joining StepStone Hospitality as Regional Controller, Heather worked with Pyramid Global Hospitality providing financial oversight for a large portfolio of hotels and assisting with the opening of their centralized accounting office. While she has worked through the ranks from hotel accounting at several individual resorts all the way to the corporate office, she will never forget her roots in hospitality where she started out as a hotel Florist.

Additionally, Heather enjoys working with properties to advance their financial knowledge and problem solve issues to better streamline financial results. With a wealth of knowledge in developing strong practices and accounting procedures she strives for excellence and is committed to the success of the organization.

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2023

Interests and Hobbies:
In her free time, Heather enjoys kickboxing and spending quality time with her family, including her 3 fur-babies. Heather is a volunteer manager at her local food pantry and a member of the Human rights council for a local organization that works with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Occasionally, you can even find her assisting her husband with his competition barbeque endeavors, she considers herself a master taste-tester.

Vadim Tanana is excited to join StepStone Hospitality and bring value to the team. Starting his career in hospitality as a night auditor, he has held various roles throughout the hotel, giving him a deep appreciation for the hard work of hotel employees. He has been fortunate to have great mentors who have guided him along his career journey, and now looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with others. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and his hobbies include playing tennis, biking, and swimming.

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Margaret Wilcox currently serves as the Regional Director of Revenue Management at StepStone Hospitality, offering invaluable support to hotel teams in the field. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for data analysis, Margaret collaborates closely with on-property teams to optimize revenue and enhance RevPAR index performance.

Margaret's expertise extends to various revenue management systems, holding certifications for both Marriott and IHG platforms. Her extensive experience encompasses working with independent hotels, further enriching her diverse skill set.

Having joined StepStone as the Corporate Analyst, Margaret transitioned to the revenue management team in 2022, leveraging her analytical prowess to drive strategic insights and actionable recommendations. With over 20 years of hospitality experience, including operational roles in branded and independent properties, Margaret brings a wealth of industry knowledge to her current role.

A graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration, Margaret resides in Massachusetts. In her leisure time, she finds solace in her vegetable garden, nurturing her green thumb, and finds joy in sharing her musical talents by singing in a community chorus.

Memberships/Affiliations:
Cornell Hotel Society

Awards/Recognition:
Manager of the Quarter - The Equinox, Manchester, VT

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2017

Interests and Hobbies:
Gardening, reading, traveling to visit friends & family

Meg Stowe, a Regional Director of Revenue Management, joined StepStone Hospitality in April 2024, armed with a remarkable ability to transform numbers into pure magic. Originally from sunny Orlando, Florida, she now calls Denver, Colorado home, where she balances her professional pursuits with her role as a loving wrangler of her husband and three pint-sized Australian Shepherds.

Meg's journey in hospitality began at the front desk of the Peabody Orlando, and her roots in the industry run deep. A proud graduate of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, she has navigated through various operational departments, including food & beverage, front desk, and housekeeping, mastering each facet along the way.

Over the past twelve years, Meg has excelled as a champion of numbers in revenue management, wielding her expertise to drive RevPAR across diverse markets and brands. With a penchant for taming spreadsheets and analyzing data, she continuously seeks out opportunities to optimize performance and maximize revenue potential.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Meg embraces the adventurous spirit of Colorado, whether tearing up the slopes downhill skiing or conquering challenging hikes up Colorado 14ers. And if ever in need of sweetening the deal, a lemon dessert is the key to unlocking Meg's heart—her undeniable kryptonite.

Before joining Stepstone Hospitality in 2019, Thato cultivated a rich professional background working with various hotel brands, including brand managed, franchise managed, and independent properties. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in building high-performing teams, driving operational success, and achieving remarkable growth in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR).

In a dynamic career journey, Thato has held pivotal roles such as Director of Revenue Management at the property level, Area Director of Revenue Management, and Regional Director of Revenue Management. In 2024, he returned to Stepstone Hospitality after a successful stint outside the hotel industry, where he led the revenue management department at RESIA, a leading vertically integrated multifamily development company based in Miami, Florida. There, Thato played a key role in expanding the organization's presence in Florida, Texas, and Georgia markets.

Thato earned his Revenue Management Certificate from Cornell University in 2017. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in management with a focus on Organizational Leadership. Currently pursuing his PHD in Organizational Leadership, with an expected completion in late 2024, Thato is deeply committed to advancing his expertise in leadership and management practices.

Based in Miami, Florida, Thato enjoys spending his spare time exploring his passion for Organizational Leadership, unwinding at the beach, indulging in new culinary experiences, and embarking on exciting travel adventures.

Madeline Iversen has 14 years of experience in the hotel operations and revenue management disciplines. She has worked with select service, extended stay, full service, and luxury boutique properties, where she built strong teams and drove successful RevPAR results through strong segmentation mix and strategic planning. Madeline has certifications in Hilton, Marriott and IHG brands. She graduated from Kendall College with a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management.

Madeline started her hospitality career in Food and Beverage at the Conrad Chicago roof top restaurant, now The Gwen while a full time student. Then moved on to the front office department at multiple properties from northern Chicago to San Antonio, TX. During that time in the rooms division is where she developed her passion for maximizing revenue and found her career path leading to Revenue Management within TPG Hotels and Resorts. Madeline has since overseen hotels of all sizes in major airport, downtown and highway cities. She brings a strong passion for success and stealing market share to the Stepstone team.

Has worked at StepStone Hospitality since:
2024

Interests and Hobbies:
Traveling to new locations, spending time with family, and staying active

Bruce Valade has over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry, including 17 years with Marriott International where he began in operations and held several positions including GM, Area GM (Columbus, Ohio), Cluster Director of Revenue Management, and Director of Market Strategy (Columbus, Ohio). Bruce opened and led the first cluster revenue management office in Indianapolis, IN for Marriott in 1999 and won awards for Best Revenue Team-Midwest and Best Customer Event - Worldwide Marriott Business Council Chair. Since leaving Marriott, he has held numerous leadership positions such as Corporate Director of Revenue Management, Sales, and Digital Marketing, VP of Portfolio Strategies, and VP of Revenue. Bruce has worked with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Choice, legacy Starwood, and independent hotels including the iconic Hotel Du Pont. Bruce is a graduate of Michigan State University, holds an MBA from Franklin University, and has earned designations from HSMAI including Certified Revenue Management Executive and Certified Hotel Digital Marketer. In his spare time, Bruce enjoys road cycling, tennis, and travel.

Saul joined the StepStone team April 2024 with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and 12 years dedicated to revenue management. Saul has had the privilege of working with a diverse range of properties, from boutique hotels to large branded group houses. Saul's career has spanned prestigious companies such as Loews Hotels, Morgans Group Hotel (now Ennismore), Wyndham Hotels, and Kimpton Hotels (owned by IHG).
Outside of his professional life, Saul loves traveling with his family, especially with his 2-year-old son. He is a foodie at heart, always eager to try new cuisines. Saul also enjoys listening to 90's hip hop and has a passion for running.

Jesse Betts graduated from Johnson and Whales with a BA in Tourism Marketing. His passion for travel led him on an adventure tourism trip to Peru. It was during this trip that cemented Jesse's love for travel and hospitality. While Jesse has been at StepStone he has led the implementation team in implementing a new company wide HCM solution which has helped move StepStone towards a more environmentally friendly future.
Before joining StepStone Jesse worked in several different fields with the most recent being the medical field. He joined StepStone after his tenure as a Social Worker/Case Manager where he was able to update New Horizons charting and record keeping systems, bringing the center into the 21st century. Jesse's ability to remain calm in challenging situations as well as his ability to analyze complex systems led to him being recognized and promoted under Care New England. Jesse brings this experience to StepStone.

Has worked at StepStone since:
2022

Interests and Hobbies:
Jesse is an avid gamer and has built several generations of gaming PCs. Jesse also enjoys nature-based travel, Softball and Dinning out.