Meet the Team
US Offices
STR has its headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee and provides data to customers throughout North America.
HotelNewsNow.com is dedicated to providing global hotel industry headlines, community and insight through its multimedia website and daily e-newsletter. With first access to data from the STR family of companies, HotelNewsNow.com provides vital information in a timely manner for today’s busy hotel executive. HotelNewsNow.com is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
RRC has over 25 years of experience in research and community planning, specializing particularly in tourism and the ski industry in the United States and Canada. Based in Boulder, Colorado, RRC also provides a broad range of market research, land use planning, real estate, customer satisfaction, and media and communications research services.
STR Analytics offers the unique combination of experienced lodging industry experts augmented by the unparalleled international hotel database compiled by STR. Based in Boulder, Colorado, STR Analytics provides objective trend-based analysis and empirical data, allowing clients to gain a more complete understanding of key industry aspects, resulting in optimal decisions.
Download a pdf of additional key team contacts
Nashville Office
Biography
Randy Smith founded STR in 1985. He is widely quoted in the industry as the authority on hotel industry performance and is a frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences and seminars. Mr. Smith is the 2010 recipient of the ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the lodging industry, and he was a 2007 inductee to the Florida State University College of Business Hall of Fame. He is a member and past co-chairman of the Industry Real Estate Financing Advisory Council (IREFAC) and the 2002 recipient of the prestigious IREFAC C. Everett Johnson Award. He is also vice-chair of the American Hotel Foundation Funding Committee. Mr. Smith is a charter member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants and a former member of the board of directors. He is the recipient of the 1996 Industry Pioneer Award of the ISHC for outstanding contribution to the lodging industry.
Biography
Mark Lomanno has been with STR for over 15 years. As President, he sets company policy and direction while overseeing daily operations. In addition, he coordinates initiatives and implementation for STR's ventures, both domestically and globally. Mr. Lomanno is highly regarded for his lodging industry expertise and writes a column for Hotel & Motel Management magazine. He serves on the advisory boards of the HSMAI Foundation, The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University, and Travel Industry of America. He is a frequent speaker at industry seminars and guest lecturer at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.
Biography
Jenny Trotter serves as an Executive Assistant at STR. Her primary role involves the maintenance of STR's corporate and destination report contracts. She also oversees STR's general office functions.
Biography
Brad Garner is responsible for managing and directing the day-to-day activities of STR’s core business operations. He is a primary contact for STR clients, customers and the investment bank and institutional investor industries.
Biography
Amanda Hite directs and oversees the strategic and long-range goal planning function for STR. She is also responsible for overseeing STR’s family of companies: HotelNewsNow.com, RRC Associates, STR Analytics, and STR Global.
Biography
Bobby Bowers oversees all aspects of STR client services and sales efforts. He is often the keynote presenter at international, national and regional industry conferences.
Biography
Debbie Gryszko directs all financial and accounting functions at STR. Her team handles all subscriptions, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll functions.
Biography
Steve Hood oversees and directs the data transfer, report distribution and report development for STR.
Vail Brown
Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing
Biography
Vail Brown oversees global sales and marketing initiatives which allow STR to reach a continually expanding global market of hotel companies and investors. Vail is often a presenter at international, national and regional industry conferences.
Kay Caudle
General Counsel/Vice President, Corp. Management
Biography
As STR’s General Counsel, Kay manages the legal affairs for the company. Kay counsels on a variety of transactional, intellectual property, real property, and employment matters, and is also responsible for ensuring that the company complies with federal and state laws and regulations.
Biography
Denis Caron oversees and directs all IT infrastructure and systems development.
Biography
Jan Freitag is charged with exploring opportunities related to STR's development initiatives. He is the author of a recurring column in Lodging magazine, presents lodging performance trends at industry conferences, and is often quoted in trade publications.
Biography
Michael Leggett manages the core development programs for the IT department.
Biography
Duane Vinson oversees the development of STR's global pipeline and census database. Duane represents STR at local, state, and national lodging & tourism conferences and is often quoted in trade publications and the news media.
Biography
Lana Yoshii develops new products such as the monthly Market Forecast and manages the annual Hotel Data Conference. She also leads the operational research function at STR.
Biography
Elizabeth Bentle is responsible for managing all aspects of hiring and training at STR.
Biography
Jonathan Bell oversees the data processing department, which is responsible for the loading, validity checking and processing of all US and worldwide, monthly and daily hotel performance data. He also works closely with other STR staff to fulfill customized data processing requests for our clients.
Biography
Lindsay Culbreath is responsible for the growth of all STR participant programs as well as increasing sales in non-traditional products.
Biography
Rachelle Johnston oversees the HOST (Hotel Operating Statistics Study) program and the AH&LA Directory, and works closely with the Operations team.
Biography
Carolyn oversees all additions and changes to the North American hotel census database.
Biography
Karrie Keen is responsible for overseeing the relationships of North American Convention and Visitor Bureaus and Destination Marketing Organizations. She also assists in the service and support of corporate and customer requests across the globe.
Biography
Keith McHenry is responsible for generating customized data, US and global corporate report requests and working on other ad hoc projects.
Biography
Lynne is responsible for overseeing accounting department and all accounting functions.
Biography
Maria Moore is Director of Global Integration and is responsible for the implementation of operational best practices within and across the STR and STR Global business units.
Biography
Melane Rueff oversees all client output operations, and ensures all files and reports are sent correctly and in a timely manner. She also ensures all client contracts are set up properly. Melane has been with STR for 20 years.
Cleveland Office (HotelNewsNow.com)
Jeff Higley
Vice President, Digital Media and Communication
Biography
Jeff Higley is the former editorial director for Hotel & Motel Management magazine and has specialized in hotel industry journalism for many years. He oversees all aspects of the HotelNewsNow.com (HNN) digital platform, including the HNN website and daily newsletter. Jeff also leads the HNN team’s efforts with corporate public relations and press releases. He frequently writes articles on the lodging industry.
Biography
Lynsie Chamberlain is responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with clients of HNN and STR. Lynsie brings with her two years of award-winning advertising sales experience in the newspaper industry. She is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Under 30 Gateway.
Biography
Rachael Spann is responsible for communications and media relations for STR, as well as marketing, promotion and outreach for the HotelNewsNow.com brand. She has experience in consumer sales and marketing. Rachael is a member of the Public Relations Society of America. She is a graduate of Bowling Green State University.