Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Michael Gibson
Michael Gibson’s story in the hospitality industry is one of hard work, honesty, and ethical progression. Starting as a restaurant cook, Michael found his passion for the hospitality industry while gaining invaluable experience only offered to those who begin at the bottom of the ladder. He went on to open over forty upscale restaurants in Tennessee, Texas, and California.
Corporate Team
Guido Kerpel
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Executive Team
Guido is a performance-driven leader and globally recognized senior hospitality executive with 30 years of producing exceptional results. He is a seasoned sales, marketing and operational expert with...
Sunni Wells
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Executive Team
As CFO, Sunni oversees all aspects of accounting, financial analysis, investments and real estate development. She works closely with the executive team and senior leadership on the financial operations and strategic growth of the company....
Joe Grieco
Chief Development Officer
Executive Team
Joe began his 30-year career in hospitality while attending the University of Tennessee Restaurant Management program. He has held numerous positions in the hospitality industry, each with new challenges
Melissa Poma
Vice President of Human Resources
Executive Team
Melissa joined GHMI as the Director of Human Resources in 2013. Melissa’s role focuses on compensation, benefits, training & development as well as staffing for a team of over 600 employees across four states. Prior to joining the GHMI family, Melissa spent 5 years as the...
Michelle Arline
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Executive Team
Michelle oversees the sales and marketing strategies at M Gibson Hospitality Ventures. She works directly with the GHMI sales teams and property ownership groups to set, meet, and often exceed sales revenues and contributes to the overall profitability...
Jeremy Ruperto
Senior Regional Director of Operations
Jeremy oversees most of Gibson Hotel Management’s Marriott products. Jeremy provides leadership to General Managers to drive exceptional results through a people-oriented culture.
Marcedes Schindler
Regional Director of Operations
Marcedes is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee. She comes from a family of hoteliers, which explains her love of hotels and the hospitality industry. After graduating high school, she lived in New York City for five years where she extended her hospitality career at the Hard Rock Café while she attended...
Heath Robinson
Regional Director of Operations
Marcie Thomas
Corporate Director of Revenue Management
As Corporate Director of Revenue Management, Marcie oversees the day-to-day revenue management...
Andy Hime
Director of Project Management
Andy met and worked with Mr. Gibson at the Holiday Inn World’s Fair Park in 1999. He became the general manager of Gibson Hotel Management (GHMI’s) property, Holiday Inn Express in Alcoa from
2012 through 2014. ...
Justin Dawes
Corporate Risk Manager
Justin grew up immersed in the hospitality industry, gaining invaluable experience through his family’s business. He earned his bachelor’s degree...
Cathy Presley
Corporate Executive Assistant
Cathy joined Gibson Hotel Management in 2024 to assist the Executive Team as the Corporate Executive Assistant. She brings over 25 years of administrative experience in evaluating situations, identifying where organizational structure will enhance ...
Allison Benge
Human Resources-Benefits/Payroll Manager
With a Human Resource, Payroll, and Benefits career spanning 13+ years, Allison joined the Gibson Hotel Management team...
Kiarah Childress
Human Resources Coordinator
Kiarah, a Knoxville native, spent her time studying psychology at Pellissippi State Community College, where she fostered her passion of understanding how the mind works and operates. She started her hospitality career in ...
Anna Scales
Dual General Manager
Anna is the General Manager of the new Staybridge Suites in Pigeon Forge. She also assists corporate operations at various IHG properties within the Gibson Hotels portfolio...
Darrell Short
Accounting Manager
As Financial Compliance Manager, Darrell works closely with the hotels on their daily reports and ensures that the ledgers stay in balance. He also reconciles the hotel bank accounts on a weekly basis and strives for uniformity in invoice coding.
Ryan Stewart
Accounts Payable
As the Accounts Payable Supervisor, Ryan Stewart is responsible for all corporate and hotel accounts payables. Ryan is passionate about quality control, which contributes to the success and efficient operations in accounting.
Corporate Staff Accountant
In Loving Memory
Alicia Bersin
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alicia was responsible for purchasing Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment for all new construction hotels, renovation projects associated with product improvement plants, and targeted hotel refurbishment endeavors...