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.
Executive Team
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alicia Bersin
Alicia is responsible for purchasing Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment for all new construction hotels, renovation projects associated with product improvement plants, and targeted hotel refurbishment endeavors...
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Sunni Wells
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....
Executive Vice President of Development
Joe Grieco
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
Senior Director of Operations | Development
Jeremy Ruperto
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.
Regional Director of Operations
Marcedes Schindler
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...
Vice President of Human Resources
Melissa Poma
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...
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Michelle Arline
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...
Director of Project Management
Andy Hime
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. ...
Corporate Executive Assistant
Cathy Presley
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 ...
Accounting Team
Director of Accounting
Darell Short
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.
Accounts Payable Supervisor
Ryan Stewart
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
Financial Analyst | Risk Manager
Justin Dawes
Human Resources
Payroll & Benefits Manager
Allison Benge
With a Human Resources, Payroll, and Benefits career spanning 13+ years, Allison joined Gibson Hotel Management, Inc., as the Payroll & Benefits Manager.
HR Coordinator
Kiarah Childress
A Knoxville native, Kiarah has been working in hotels since 2019 working in many different departments for Hilton Hotels. While working in hotels, Kiarah gained a passion for Human Resources...
Operations
Regional General Manager
Ricky Ball
Ricky is Gibson Hotel Management’s Regional General Manager of two Marriott properties in Cookeville, Tennessee. He began working the Gibson Hotel Management in 2021 ...
Regional General Manager
Heath Robinson
Regional General Manager
Anna Scales
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...