DISTINCTIVE HOSPITALITY GROUP - Key Persons
Christine Tascione is our Vice President of Sales at Distinctive Hospitality Group. She has nearly 30 years of hospitality experience in sales, marketing, event planning, and business development for a variety of hotels, resorts, and destinations.
Christine most recently served as the Executive Director of Meeting Professionals International Foundation, where she implemented strategic goals and directed fundraising and operational activities to support key missions of the Foundation. Before her time working in the nonprofit sector, she was the Vice President, Convention Sales for Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau for ten years. While there, she led the development of the organization's marketing strategy and direct sales efforts involved in promoting Greater Fort Lauderdale to domestic and international markets as a premier convention, meeting and incentive, and trade show destination. She formerly worked in sales and business development at a variety of properties including The Peabody Hotel Group, Boca Raton Resort & Club, and LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels.
To compliment her diverse array of hospitality experience, Christine founded Blue Nautilus, LLC in 2018, where she provided strategic consulting and project management for a variety of businesses. Christine is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Colby College.
In her role as Corporate Director of Sales, Christine works with the team at Distinctive Hospitality Group to help each property reach their potential in revenue generation and developing strategic plans to ensure that each property's sales, catering and revenue team is functioning at the utmost overall operational excellence.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- President and CEO of Hart Hotels
David is President and CEO of Hart Hotels, a privately owned company based in Buffalo, New York with over 30 year's experience in developing, operating, and managing hotels and restaurants. Under David's leadership, Hart Hotels operates fourteen hotels with 1,900 hotel rooms, and has held franchise affiliations with IHG (Intercontinental Hotel Group) and Hilton Hotels. Hart Hotels provides DHG with operations and systems support, including accounting, human resources, and IT. Hart also assists with identifying acquisitions, financing, and strengthening franchise relationships. David is a Past Chairman of The InterContinental Hotels Group Owners Association and a Past Chairman of Visit Buffalo Niagara. David was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, and received his degree in Business Administration from SUNY Buffalo.
Jennifer Pfeiffer has more than 20 years of diverse hospitality experience in marketing, sales and event management. Pfeiffer oversees the print and digital communication and marketing activities for the properties and collaborates with our marketing partners to drive revenue, communicate effectively and increase awareness. Prior to joining DHG, she worked for Sodexo, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Sheraton Hotels. Pfeiffer holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech with a minor in Communications.
Judy Rosenthal has over 30 years of experience in hospitality. She oversees DHG portfolio hotels, working with the property based and corporate support teams to help each property to reach their potential in revenue generation, employee engagement, guest satisfaction, overall operational excellence and profitability. Rosenthal received a Bachelor of Science in Business from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Administration
Katy Shisler has more than 25 years of experience in hospitality, working at both the property and corporate levels during her tenure. Shisler has key involvement in the reporting communications required of the brands, lenders, municipalities, and for new development/acquisition opportunities. Shisler is responsible for the administration of property insurances, employee benefits, 401K, and coordinates capital purchasing for the company portfolio. Prior to joining Distinctive, Shisler worked for The Peabody Hotel Group, Berkeley Hotels, Richfield Hospitality and Walt Disney World. She received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Florida State University.
Lou brings more than 30 years of senior management hospitality industry experience to his role as President of DHG. Prior to forming DHG, Lou was instrumental as COO in the creation of theWit hotel brand in Chicago, and rapidly delivered the property to AAA Four Diamond status. He's held a variety of senior development and organizational leadership roles during the creation of the Hard Rock Hotel brand, including GM of the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, Florida; Managing Director of Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego, CA; and Executive Vice President of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV. Earlier in his career, Carrier worked for Loews Hotels and Renaissance Hotels beginning his career with Stouffer Hotels and Resorts at their flagship, Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Throughout his career Carrier has been awarded Manager of the Year, Food and Beverage Professional of the Year, GM of the Year, Marketer of the Year, Hotel of the Year, and the President's Leadership Award. Carrier is an active and passionate member of multiple industry boards and professional organizations, including: Hilton Hotels Owner Advisory Council; he sits on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Lodging Association; Massachusetts Restaurant Association; and the Connecticut Tourist Coalition. He serves as Board Chairman of the MetroWest Boston Chamber of Commerce, and Vice Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce for the City of Somerville, MA. Lou received his degree in Hotel Administration from UMASS Amherst.
Mark is Partner in Distinctive Hospitality Group. He is also President of the B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group (BFSHG), based in the Washington, D.C.-area. BFSHG hotels are award-winners in the areas of guest satisfaction, team member development, renovation excellence, and environmental stewardship, and have achieved Torchbearer and Quality Excellence Awards with IGH, Platinum Status with Marriott, and Wall of Fame with Hilton. BFSGH's Hay-Adams Hotel consistently ranks as one of the best hotels in the nation and in the world. Mark serves on numerous boards and committees, including: Chairman of the Board, American Hotel and Lodging Association; member, Governmental Affairs Committee focusing on hotel industry legislative issues; Fairfax County's Economic Advisory Council; member, Dulles Corridor Rail Association Board of Directors; Vice Chairman, Tyson's Partnership Executive Committee; Secretary Treasurer, American Hotel and Lodging Association; and Chairman Emeritus, Visit Fairfax. Mark holds a degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.
Job Titles:
- Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive
- Controller, CHAE
Steve Dugas is a Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) with over 20 years of experience in hospitality and accounting. In his current position, he oversees all financial aspects of Distinctive Hospitality Group. Dugas has key involvement in the directing, planning and coordination of financial activities for the Distinctive property portfolio. Dugas has been an active member of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals organization since 1997. Dugas received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts.