Hotel Management Group

Jim Gerish founded Emerald Hospitality in 1999. His career in the hospitality industry is built on a foundation that began at the age of 15, working as a stock boy, busboy, and range cook at a 1950s-style drive-in restaurant. Jim often speaks about those humble beginnings and the many life lessons he learned as a young associate. He has held nearly every position within the industry, bringing over 50 years of wide-ranging hospitality experience to the Emerald Hospitality team. Over the course of his career, he has been involved in the development, repositioning, and opening of more than 40 hotels.

Prior to founding Emerald Hospitality, Jim held a variety of senior positions with other hotel management companies. Of particular note, he was instrumental in the development and launch of a new hotel brand, Skylight Inns. Immediately prior to founding Emerald Hospitality, he spent nearly 20 years with the Snavely Hotel Group, eventually serving as President. He was also part of the strategic exit planning for the firm’s hotel portfolio.

Jim’s depth and range of experience allow him to advise on both short-term and long-term plans for the operations, management, and financing of the hotels and food and beverage outlets that Emerald Hospitality oversees. In addition, he was instrumental in the formation of the Nimbus Investment Fund financial platform, which provided Emerald Hospitality the opportunity to work with a group of investors and structure acquisitions within the hotel and mixed-use space.

Jim graduated with honors from Michigan State University after completing its prestigious hospitality program. He and his wife, Kris, are major contributors to Michigan State and many charitable organizations. He is especially proud of mentoring countless people throughout his career, including the depth of talent within Emerald Hospitality. However, if you strike up a conversation with him, you quickly learn that his greatest pride is in developing The Emerald Foundation with his wife, Kris. The Foundation supports the charitable giving of associates at each hotel and expands opportunities for community involvement. Of the various advisory boards Jim has served on, he is most pleased to serve on the Advisory Council for the Real Estate Investment Management program within MSU’s School of Hospitality Business.

Jeff joined Emerald Hospitality in 2010 and now serves as Chief Development Officer. He seeks out new opportunities for Emerald, including acquisitions, third-party management relationships, and other potential business ventures. Jeff performs the initial analysis of properties targeted for acquisition before presenting them to the company for further consideration. He then oversees the process from Letter of Intent through closing on the hotels Emerald Hospitality chooses to acquire. He is also involved in managing Emerald’s online presence.

In addition, Jeff is active in charitable work through the Emerald Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports a variety of charitable causes. The Foundation makes donations to causes supported by associates at Emerald’s hotels and corporate offices. Jeff coordinates these contributions, ensuring they align with associates’ passion projects and community outreach efforts in the markets Emerald Hospitality serves.

Before being named Chief Development Officer, Jeff served as Emerald’s in-house counsel, a role he continues today by coordinating business-related legal matters. He advises the company on contractual, transactional, and other legal issues, and oversees outside counsel when necessary.

Jeff graduated cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 2006. After being admitted to the Ohio Bar, he practiced commercial litigation for several years before joining Emerald Hospitality. His experience representing construction companies, real estate firms, banks, and other businesses has given him valuable insight into Emerald’s legal needs. Prior to law school, Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and spent several years working in hotel, retail, restaurant, and other hospitality positions, providing him with a well-rounded understanding of the industry.

Ed joined Emerald in 2001 and brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He is responsible for overseeing the overall operation, performance, owner relations, and capital improvement planning for all properties in the Emerald portfolio. Ed also plays a pivotal role in strategic planning for the organization, working closely with the corporate team to implement innovative solutions and programs that enhance profitability and elevate the quality of the hotel portfolio. His experience and industry knowledge provide a foundation for the company’s core strength in delivering high-quality results for employees, owners, and partners.

Prior to being appointed COO, Ed served as Vice President of Operations for Emerald Hospitality, where he provided direct mentorship and leadership to a group of high-performing General Managers and hotel teams across all aspects of hotel operations and revenue generation.

Under Ed’s leadership, the hotels he oversees have earned a multitude of industry awards from multiple brands and organizations.

Scott joined Emerald in 2006, bringing with him over 20 years of hospitality experience. Much of his background was with Marriott International, where he was entrusted with the opening, reconstruction, and operations of multiple corporate-managed properties.

His experience and training have enabled Emerald to recruit and mentor enthusiastic management personnel and hotel teams. These teams have earned numerous Quality Assurance Awards from their respective brands, including the prestigious Lighthouse and Circle of Excellence Awards presented by Hilton International, as well as Gold and Silver Awards from Marriott International. To complement these honors, Scott created the “Peak Performance” Award for Emerald Hospitality, based on a balanced scorecard approach to service, cleanliness, revenue generation, and profitability. The result is a superior guest experience that yields positive returns to owners and investors.

In his current role as Senior Vice President, Scott mentors General Managers as well as the Corporate Hospitality Support Leader and the Corporate Project Team, comprising Design, Purchasing, Engineering, and Capital Management.

Lori oversees the Revenue Generation corporate team, comprising Revenue Management, eCommerce, and Digital Marketing, as well as proactive sales efforts for the Emerald-managed hotels within her region. Her primary responsibility is to maximize top-line revenues for owners and investors by engaging the Revenue Generation team to strategize and implement targeted plans. She then measures success and adjusts course as needed.

A seasoned hospitality veteran with more than 30 years of experience, Lori brings to Emerald extensive sales, marketing, and revenue management expertise, rooted in a history of hands-on operational experience. She began her career as a banquet server in college and worked her way through Operations and Sales, ultimately leading to her current corporate leadership role with Emerald Hospitality. In this position, she most enjoys mentoring and guiding hospitality professionals in their careers.

Kris serves as Human Resources Generalist for Emerald Hospitality Associates. In this role, she supports the hotels in all areas of human resources, with a focus on payroll and benefits administration, recruiting, and human resources record-keeping.

Kris has been with Emerald Hospitality Associates for over 17 years, beginning as General Manager of the Hampton Inn in New Philadelphia, Ohio. While in that role, she also assisted in revenue generation by occasionally holding a dual title that included Director of Sales and Sales Manager. Most recently, Kris served as Interim General Manager before joining the corporate team as Human Resources Generalist. Her years of operational experience have allowed her to hone her human resources skills, particularly in training, associate engagement, communications, and recruiting.

As Vice President of Finance & Accounting, Brian is responsible for financial management of the entire Emerald portfolio, with a core focus on financial reporting, management of accounts payable, cash flow projections, and coordination of the annual budget process. He also assists the Human Resources department in administering and annually renewing Emerald’s group insurance plans.

Prior to joining Emerald, Brian spent eight years as a financial analyst with National City and PNC Bank. He earned a BBA in accounting from Cleveland State University.

Jen is a true hospitality professional, having grown up in the industry. She has worked in a variety of hospitality and service positions and brings more than 20 years of experience to the Emerald team. With Emerald, Jen has been an integral part of three hotel openings and has served at the property level in a variety of management positions.

After graduating from The Art Institute of Colorado in Denver, she combined her creativity and enthusiasm for hospitality with her role as Director of Interior Design. Whether designing new builds or renovations—large or small—at Emerald’s existing properties, her goal is to ensure that every guest feels comfortable in their surroundings throughout their stay.

Jeff Mahoney has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry and takes a true hands-on approach to his role as Director of Engineering and Capital Management at Emerald Hospitality. He works in partnership with the VPs of Operations, as well as property-level General Managers and Chief Engineers, to provide creative solutions to the operational challenges encountered day-to-day. Additionally, he leads the team in developing capital expenditure plans and budgets, and he oversees renovation project management for each of Emerald’s properties.

As head of the Purchasing and Procurement program, Jeff cultivates strong partnerships with vendors and suppliers. His advanced purchasing and procurement expertise enables Emerald to balance consistently high-quality scores and well-maintained physical assets with cost-effectiveness and responsible financial stewardship for its owners and investors.

Marko joined Emerald Hospitality in 2017 and is responsible for eCommerce and Digital Marketing across the entire Emerald portfolio. He has worked internationally as General Manager of two hotels in Croatia and brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing and data analytics.

Marko adds value by managing the properties’ SEO, including the implementation of proven local search techniques, as well as managing display and meta-advertising, OTA ad bidding, and paid social campaigns. He also coaches property associates on e-commerce and digital marketing while continuously monitoring performance across multiple channels. In addition, Marko serves as a marketing liaison between the brand, the property, and the management agency.

Nicky is a member of the Revenue Generation team and serves as a Digital Marketing Specialist. She assists each property in our portfolio with planning and implementing Digital Marketing and eCommerce strategies to strengthen online presence and maximize revenues. She manages digital content across various distribution channels and uses analytics to refine performance.

Although new to the hospitality industry, Nicky brings solid digital content experience and knowledge. She has worked in broadcast news as a Digital Content Producer and managed marketing, promotional development, and media relations as a Communications Project Associate with Comsat Architects, a subcontractor for NASA. She earned a degree in Journalism and Promotional Communications from Cleveland State University.

Danielle is responsible for the overall revenue generation efforts for Emerald’s Western New York–based hotels. With over 14 years in hospitality and tourism, she brings a well-rounded, experience-based perspective to the Emerald Hospitality team.

With experience across hotel operations, event planning, management, and sales and marketing, Danielle has developed a deep love for the travel industry. She has worked across diverse hotel markets for major brands such as Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), diligently mastering each brand’s standards. Passionate about sharing trade knowledge with her team, she has consistently led them to success. Danielle also mentors, supports, and advises hospitality professionals in her region as they grow in their careers.

Jill supports the revenue generation efforts for Emerald’s Eastern and part of the Midwest regions. She has led a rewarding career in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years, working with a variety of hotel brands including Marriott, Hilton, IHG, and Choice Hotels.

Her career highlights include brand awards and recognitions such as the Service of Excellence Award, Opening Director of Sales, and Power of Performance Award. She also earned Marriott International’s Bruce Reed Rally to Serve Hotel of the Year Award. Jill’s greatest satisfaction comes from mentoring sales managers as they advance in their careers and from finding creative ways to maximize top-line revenues.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from East Carolina University and went on to complete a master’s degree in International Hospitality Management from the University of South Carolina.

Stacy joined Emerald Hospitality in 2017, bringing over 20 years of hospitality experience with Hilton, Choice, and Radisson branded properties. Stacy has held numerous positions in the hospitality industry, including Guest Service Manager, Assistant General Manager, and Director of Revenue Management. Her passion for Revenue Management is apparent in her competitive nature, analytical thinking, and strong mentoring ability. Currently, Stacy is responsible for driving revenue and market share for our Hilton branded hotels. She has been recognized throughout her career for implementing strategic and tactical action plans that led her properties to year-over-year market share gains. Stacy is focused on gaining competitor intelligence, following economic trends, leveraging special events and staying abreast of industry resources to maximize revenue opportunities. 

Melissa joined the Emerald Hospitality team in 2017, bringing with her over 20 years of hospitality experience with Hilton and Marriott brands. She led the sales effort as Director of Sales in her most recent on-property role and has specialized in sales and revenue management throughout her career in the industry. She currently supports our properties in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, helping teams achieve their revenue and market share goals. “Our strategies are constantly evolving as we layer in new ideas and practices with a secure foundation of traditional principles to capture maximum opportunity across all demand landscapes,” she says.

Gina joined Emerald Hospitality in 2016 and works closely with each hotel's management to prepare monthly financial statements and provide support for the financial system. She also prepares and submits requests for reimbursement of capital reserves along with transactional data imports and exports. Gina has spent her career in the Finance and Accounting fields analyzing financial statements for company mergers, acquisitions, and transitions of financial and operational systems.

Jill supports the accounting functions and heads various tax registrations and filings such as hotel occupancy tax, sales tax, and excise tax. She also serves as the main point of contact for any related audits performed by states, counties, or cities, and occasionally assists Human Resources with specialized projects. Jill joined Emerald Hospitality in early 2018 after ten years in public accounting. In that role, she served as the primary client contact and prepared year-end entries, financial statements, and tax returns for business clients in various states. She also provided consulting services, including business valuations for clients considering selling and analysis of financial information for year-to-year variances. Prior to public accounting, she worked for several years in the accounting department of a privately owned commercial real estate company, where she gained experience in nearly every facet of accounting. She earned a BSBA in Accounting and Human Resources from Bowling Green State University and holds a CPA license in the state of Ohio.

Gretchen Roberts serves as Purchasing Manager for Emerald Hospitality Associates. In this role, she is responsible for all stages of the procurement process, preparing cost-effective budgets for Property Improvement Plans (PIPs) that benefit owners and investors, and overseeing their implementation to completion.

Before joining the Emerald team, Gretchen had more than 17 years of purchasing and design experience. In her previous role, she managed company-wide purchasing programs, coordinated and designed hotel elements, and oversaw capital expenditure projects, including PIPs.

Emily is the Office Administrator and Accounts Payable Coordinator for Emerald Hospitality Associates. She brings 25 years in healthcare along with extensive expertise in customer service and administration. Most recently, she worked in medical billing and coding. Emily is a veteran of the United States Navy and holds a degree in health information technology.

Charlie has worked in the hospitality industry since 1996, beginning as a night auditor in college before working his way up through the ranks. Over the years, he has worked with a variety of brands affiliated with Hilton Worldwide and has opened and managed more than six properties. He joined Emerald Hospitality in 2019 and currently serves as Area General Manager, overseeing the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites in Wesley Chapel, Florida.

He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in business management. Charlie enjoys spending time with his wife, Teresa, and their children, Macey and Benjamin. An avid sports fan, he enjoys playing and watching sports and spending time outdoors.

Charlie brings more than 15 years of hospitality experience with brands such as Hilton, Marriott, and Radisson. Most recently, he served as General Manager of the Canopy by Hilton in Ithaca, New York. Prior to that, he was the opening General Manager at the Hampton Inn & Suites East Syracuse/Carrier Circle, where he led the team for six years, earning Hilton’s highest QA Brand Standard Award and recognition as GM of the Year in the New York Region.

He began his career through the Walt Disney World College Program, where he learned invaluable lessons in hospitality that set him on the path to the hotel industry. His experiences with Disney and across multiple brands have helped him infuse culture and personality into every hotel he has led.

Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Franklin University and has 10 years of experience in accounting and office management. In her prior roles, she was responsible for recording financial transactions, preparing financial statements for small business clients, processing weekly payrolls, and supervising accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.