White Lodging Names New General Managers for Eight Properties

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- White Lodging is pleased to announce the following individuals have been named general managers within the last month across the company.

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Brian Dickson has been promoted to general manager of the Embassy Suites Tampa Brandon. Previously, Dickson was the director of operations at the Marriott Austin South. Dickson started his hotel career with Hilton Hotels at the Embassy Suites Austin Townlake property as a guest services associate, before being promoted to night manager and assistant front office manager.  Dickson also spent two years with John Q. Hammons (JQH) Hotels at the Embassy Suites East Peoria Hotel in Illinois as the director of outlets and as front office manager.  While with JQH, his Embassy Suites property received the #1 Embassy Total Quality and Satisfaction Award.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to lead such a beautiful Embassy Suites," said Dickson. "Our team looks forward to great success in the near future."

Kari Fraine has been promoted to general manager of Courtyard Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, Ind. Previously, Fraine was the operations manager at the same location. As operations manager, she was responsible for ensuring all departments were staffed appropriately, managing inventory and ensuring all guests were satisfied throughout the property. Fraine also performed routine inspections, conducted routine staff meetings to celebrate successes and address opportunities for improvement and managed labor costs for the entire property. Prior to her position as operations manager, Fraine served as beverage manager for Georgetown Bowl and Sports Gallery Lounge in Fort Wayne and as head of banquets for Crazy Pinz Entertainment Center. Fraine graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne with a degree in hospitality and tourism management.

"I am extremely excited about this new opportunity to lead such a hard-working team," said Fraine. "I am proud to represent White Lodging and this property in my new role."

Ross Harrison has been promoted to general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Islip in New York. Previously, Harrison was the assistant general manager at the same location.  Harrison joined White Lodging in 2006 as a guest service representative, night auditor and housekeeper at the Hilton Garden Inn Islip. Since then, he has held various roles at the same location, including housekeeping manager, front office manager and operations manager. In his previous role as assistant general manager, Harrison was responsible for the oversight of all daily operations across all departments. During his time with White Lodging, Harrison has received numerous achievements, including the Shining Apple Award for Overall Hotel Performance in 2009.

"I am very excited to continue to learn and grow in a new role with such an amazing company and I hope to make an immediate impact," said Harrison.

Justin Rodgers has been promoted to general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Midway. Previously, Rodgers was the general manager of Residence Inn by Marriott in Schaumburg, Ill. As general manager of the Residence Inn by Marriott Schaumburg, Rodgers administered, directed and controlled the operations of the hotel, including day-to-day management of the staff. Prior to joining White Lodging in 2011, he held a variety of positions at Concord Hospitality Enterprises, including serving as general manager of the Residence Inn Marriott in Little Rock, Ark., task force general manager for Courtyard by Marriott Tulsa Central in Oklahoma and assistant general manager for the Hyatt Summerfield Suites in Boulder, Colo. and Hilton Garden Inn Dallas.

"I am excited for the opportunity to work with the Midway team and to continue my growth within White Lodging," said Rodgers.

Mary Carlson has been named general manager of the Residence Inn Schaumburg in Illinois. Previously, Carlson served as a Marriott western region specialist. As a Marriott western region specialist, she was responsible for assuming the role of assistant general manager at her assigned hotels, ensuring compliance with brand standard audits at the assigned hotel and serving as brand champion by supporting all brand and regional initiatives and current brand standards. Prior to her role as Marriott western region specialist, Carlson held multiple managerial roles, including serving as a manager for training Courtyard Refreshing business for Marriott International, a guest manager for Courtyard Marriott at the O'Hare Airport in Chicago and as an event planner for the Marriott Chicago regional sales office in Rosemont, Ill.

"I am very excited to join the team at Residence Inn Schaumburg," said Carlson. "It will be great to be a business member in my own community as I begin my career with White Lodging."

Ashleigh Rohr has been promoted to general manager of the Residence Inn Ft. Lauderdale Planation. Previously, she was the regional general manager of regions overseeing hotels in Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Florida. Her responsibilities included overseeing all hotel operating disciplines, overseeing accounting of the hotel and managing all human resource responsibilities. Rohr also developed and coordinated action plans from opportunities identified through guest satisfaction surveys and social media reviews.

Prior to her role as regional general manager, she held multiple managerial roles, including dual assistant general manager for the Courtyard and Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Arizona and dual front office manager for the downtown Courtyard and Residence Inn in Texas. Rohr also held multiple roles for the Overton Hotel and Conference Center in Texas, including executive housekeeping manager, food and beverage supervisor and executive assistant.

"I am so excited to have been given this opportunity and look forward to providing exceptional results for our guests and owners," said Rohr.

Amrit Hoffer has been promoted to dual general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn West Palm Beach in Florida. Previously, Hoffer was the general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Islip in New York. Before serving as general manager for the Hilton Garden Inn Islip, she held multiple positions at the same location, including front office manager, operations manager and assistant general manager. Prior to joining White Lodging, Hoffer held multiple managerial roles around New York, including serving as a guest services manager, where she was responsible for over 20 staff members.  Hoffer has also held positions as front office manager and front office supervisor.

"I am thrilled to be taking on this challenge of managing two properties while learning a new market," said Hoffer.

Rebecca Steuer has been promoted to general manager of the SpringHill Suites Fishers in Indiana. Previously, she was the general manager for the Fairfield Inn and Suites Indianapolis Airport. In her previous position as general manager of the airport hotel, Steuer was responsible for ensuring superior customer service, developing and executing a budget and saturating the market to grow market share. Steuer also held a position as operations manager at the same hotel, where she managed accounts, was responsible for overseeing the front desk and housekeeping departments and administered orientation, training and reviews for associates. Additionally, she served as front desk supervisor for the Residence Inn by Marriott in Indianapolis and as guest service representative for the Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott in Indianapolis.

"I am thrilled to be offered the experience of a new market and brand with the SpringHill Suites Fishers and hope to continue the hotel on the correct path of optimal performance," said Steuer.

White Lodging Services Corporation - was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, Ind. White Lodging is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development and operations company – a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid-to large-scale hotels across the country. Its current portfolio consists of more than 169 hotels in 21 states and encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Preferred Hotel Group, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group and Carlson Hotels Worldwide. For more information about White Lodging, please visit www.whitelodging.com.

Contact: 
Kathleen Quilligan
Phone: 219.472.2861
Fax: 219.472.2273

SOURCE White Lodging