HIXINDY.COM - Key Persons
Alex Carusone, Head Chef, DoubleTree Schenectady was named Schahet Hotels 4th quarter, 2021 RISE award winner, for not only his role at his property, but for being a tremendous help at the Hampton Inn Schenectady. During his time with Schahet he has jumped right in the middle of it all to learn different areas of the hotel. In fact, it would be easier to list the positions he hasn't worked! During these times of labor shortages and illness, Alex has been a mainstay. On top of it all he prepares delicious food with beautiful presentation. He exemplifies the qualities of RISE every day and we congratulate and recognize Alex Carusone as Schahet Hotels' RISE Associate of the Quarter. (January, 2022)
Schahet Hotels, LLC honored Allyshia Hoffman, Executive Housekeeper Hampton Inn Westfield, IN as its 3rd Quarter RISE Associate of the Quarter at a recent lunch in her honor. She displays Excitement, a can-do attitude, a calmness, and positive demeanor that has motivated her team to work long days without their normal 2 days off due to high occupancy and limited staff to call on. There were many evenings that turned into the early morning hour (2 am) where Allyshia could be found in the Hotel Laundry room, where she was washing and drying linen. In addition, during many early morning hours Allyshia can be found making beds for her housekeepers prior to their start for work on the next day. Allyshia has been highly trustworthy, extremely passionate, embracing the RISE values and maintaining a positive impact on the people that she influences every day. (November 2021)
Dawn Garrigus, Schahet Hotels, LLC Property Accountant, was selected as the 2nd Quarter RISE Associate of the Quarter. Dawn has been a long term associate who has worked at our hotels as well as in the corporate office. Her loyalty is beyond reproach. In the corporate office she makes sure birthday cards for not only our office, but all the hotels GM's & AGM's are signed by everyone in the office (and sees that they have lotto tickets included). When we decided to add some excitement to the corporate office routine with 2X a week exercises, she stepped up to lead them. When we held parties to celebrate (pre pandemic) she was always there to decorate, plan, get food, etc. Her volunteering efforts include numerous times with Gleaners and others. Outside of work she also volunteers for the DAR and a local high school Marching band. It's the consistent things done every day that shows she understands and lives the RISE values. (July 2021)
Throughout his career with Schahet Hotels, Gary Schahet has touched all aspects and phases of hotel development and operations. He has been involved in the development, management, upgrading, and renovations of all properties within the company's portfolio. Under Gary's leadership, the company has partnered with some of the most renowned hotel franchises in the world, and it has received awards and accolades for its hotel development, renovations, and excellent operations.
Gary earned his BS in Business Administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, later received a Master's Degree in Business Administration from American University.
Gary is a well-known leader in the hospitality industry. He has supported the International Association of Holiday Inns (IAHI) since the 1970's and served on the Scholarship Committee and Food & Beverage Committee. He chaired the Marketing Committee and the Reservations Committee. He has served as the President of IAHI and received the IAHI Award for Outstanding Service. He chaired the Multi Franchise Organization.
Gary has proudly supported many civic and charitable organizations, including a Special Task Force for United Way as well as the United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet. He has served as a leader and on the boards of many organizations, including: the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, the Indianapolis Jewish Welfare Federation, Board of Jewish Education, Jewish Welfare Federation Annual Campaign, the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, Indian Hotel & Lodging Association, Friends of Palm Springs Philharmonic, Jewish Federation of the Desert. He has served as a member of the Methodist Health Foundation. Gary was most recently elected as a Trustee for the Palm Springs Art Museum and to the board of McCallum Theatre.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Director of Sales
- Corporate Director of Sales Was Honored With the Breakthrough Award by the Dale Carnegie Relationship Growth Class She Recently Completed. ( July 2020 )
Finding that sales was her calling, Genny refocused on this facet of the business, and has since taken on the role as the Corporate Director of Sales. In this leadership role, she focuses on training, supporting, and motivating our sales team-- and developing the next generation of Schahet leaders.
Genny graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a minor in Marketing. She brings over 20 years of expertise in the hospitality industry to our sales team.
Genny actively supports the local community through volunteering her time at DAMAR and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. She has a niece whom she adores, and she has a mini dachshund that she treats like her child. She enjoys traveling, and she loves attending concerts and events around the great city of Indianapolis.
Genny Pickle epitomizes a key tenet of Schahet Hotels' culture: a company-wide dedication to developing associates and nurturing burgeoning leaders.
She joined Schahet Hotels in 2010, originally serving as a part-time Sales Coordinator at a hotel within the company's portfolio. She was promoted to Director of Sales in 2012 and again to the Indianapolis Airport Area Director of Sales in 2014, where she oversaw sales efforts for three properties. She opened our Hampton Inn Westfield in 2017 and served as its General Manager.
Finding that sales was her calling, Genny refocused on this facet of the business, and has since taken on the role as the Corporate Director of Sales. In this leadership role, she focuses on training, supporting, and motivating our sales team-- and developing the next generation of Schahet leaders.
Genny graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a minor in Marketing. She brings over 20 years of expertise in the hospitality industry to our sales team.
Greg Schahet joined Schahet Hotels in 2001 and was named COO in 2005 and CFO in 2009. In 2013 he was named President and CFO. As a leader at Schahet Hotels, he is actively involved in the development and financing for new hotels, major hotel renovations, and repositioning's. He oversees the refinancing for existing hotels and works with his team to sell hotels to redeploy capital and position the company's portfolio for continued success.
Prior to joining the Schahet Hotels team, Greg worked at Katz, Sapper and Miller, LLP in Indianapolis. He is both a Certified Public Accountant and a certified real estate principal in the state of Indiana. He graduated from Cornell University in 1996 with a BS from the School of Hotel Administration. He later continued his education at American University where he was a graduate assistant and was recognized as a Dean's Leadership Fellow. He received an MBA from the Kogod School of Business in 2001.
Throughout his career, Greg has been celebrated as a local business leader. He was recognized by the Schenectady County Democratic Party as their 2005 Business Leader of the Year. The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis recognized Greg in 2007 with their L.L. Goodman Young Leadership Award. In 2009, he was a finalist for Indy's Best and Brightest.
Greg is an active member of his community. He's a member of the IU Health AAHC Philanthropy Council and served as fundraising committee chairman for Rev Indy from 2017 to 2019. Greg is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization and is a former treasurer of the Bureau of Jewish Education. He currently serves as a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, where he previously co-chaired its Young Leadership Division and its Budget and Allocations Committee. Greg is active in the hotel community, conducting admissions interviews for Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, and he has previously served on various committees for the IHG Owners Association.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chief Executive Officer of Schahet Hotels
Jeffrey Brown, CEO was appointed by the Lt. Governor, Suzanne Crouch, to serve on Indiana Destination Discovery Council. The Council's role is to assist the leisure and travel related industry in their recovery efforts caused by the Covid19 pandemic. The Council will submit to the Indiana Economic Relief and Recovery Team (IERRT) their plan of action. The IERRT has the responsibility to plan, administer, and account for the federal relief funds the State received for Covid19 relief. (May 2020)
Jeffrey Brown is the Chief Executive Officer of Schahet Hotels. As CEO, he leads the organization in its overall management of hotel development and operations, ensuring continued financial success and growth. He is deeply invested in the company's culture and values, focusing heavily on associate development and nurturing internal leadership. Under his guidance, the company's hotels have been recognized for their outstanding achievements and are highly ranked by travelers.
Jeffrey has spent over 43 years in the hospitality industry, all with Schahet Hotels. Throughout his career, he has managed all aspects of running a hotel and building an organization. In 1975, Jeffrey graduated from the University of Iowa. He received his CPA certification from the State of Indiana in 1980.
Jeffrey is highly respected in his industry and community. In 1997, he received the Indiana Hotelier of the Year Award. He served as President of the Hampton Great Lakes Marketing Partnership, and he received the President's Award from Hampton Inn and Suites in 1996. He was formerly the Chairman of the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association, and he continues to serve on its board. Since 2001, Jeffrey has served on the Hamilton County Tourism Board, currently as an officer.
In 2018, he was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana to a five-member Task Force on Tourism. He serves on the American Hotel & Lodging Association Board of Directors, and currently sits on its Audit committee.
Jeffrey enjoys spending time with his wife and two adult children, traveling and watching the Indianapolis Colts.
Kelly Cain, GM Fairfield Inn & Suites Carmel, IN & Zachary Donofrio, GM Holiday inn Indianapolis Airport have been selected by Hotel Management Magazine as this year's Top GM's to Watch in 2020. They were chosen from over 200 nominations based on their outstanding achievements and superb leadership and hospitality skills. "General Managers are the backbone of every successful hotel, probably more so in 2020 than ever before," said Elaine Simon, Senior Managing Editor with Questex Hospitality and Hotel Management. "We congratulate our winners for their hard work, creativity and grace under pressure." http://www.hotelmanagement.net. (November 2020)
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Operations
Kelly Eldridge has spent over two decades at Schahet Hotels, developing her expertise in the hospitality industry and refining her leadership skills. As she has grown her career with Schahet Hotels, she has held a number of key positions within the business: Sales Coordinator, Assistant General Manager, General Manager, and Area General Manager. Today, she is our Vice President of Operations.
Kelly has a record of leadership and knowledge in hotel operations and focuses heavily on associate development and fostering Schahet's company culture. She is responsible for Schahet's Manager in Training Program and is experienced in DISC Assessments.
Kelly was awarded the prestigious Hampton Inn Lighthouse Award on multiple occasions as well as the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association's General Manager of the Year Award. She enjoys volunteering in the local community and loves spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Executive Housekeeper, Holiday Inn Indianapolis Airport
Laura Burgi, Executive Housekeeper, Holiday Inn Indianapolis Airport was named Schahet Hotel's RISE Associate for the 1st quarter, 2022! She is described as "our constant, the one who we count on!". Regardless of the leadership changes and all the events over the past 2 years, Laura has worked tirelessly to make sure her contribution to the hotel was top notch. She has volunteered to learn additional departments and taken on responsibilities of others, all while earning herself a major promotion. Laura is a hard worker who leads from the front and is willing to do anything for the good of her associates, her guests, and her hotel. She exemplifies the qualities of RISE every day and we congratulate and recognize Laura Burgi as Schahet Hotel's RISE Associate of the Quarter! (June, 2022)
Maria Gomez is an example of Schahet Hotels' commitment to the development of associates in our mission statement. Having not worked in the industry before, Maria joined our team in October 2011. Before joining us, Maria worked for a recruitment company administering the onboarding process, employee benefits, payroll among other responsibilities for more than 800 employees.
Her translation services for one day led Maria to become the Executive Housekeeper at our Hampton Inn & Suites Indianapolis Airport in 2011 where she held high cleaning scores. In April 2013 she became Assistant General Manager. Her desire to further her hospitality career, along with our new developed MIT program, led her to be ready for the General Manager opportunity she accepted in May 2015 at the Hampton Inn Northwest Indianapolis. In 2019 Maria agreed to join our corporate team as the Assistant HR Director. Officially In May of 2020, she was promoted to Director of Human Resources.
Maria in July 2020 joined her life with that of her best friend of over 20 years with whom she procreated a beautiful girl in July 2019 by the name of Valerie. Maria likes to spend her afternoons and weekends as a family playing board games with her parents and two sisters. She does not tolerate injustice and has a humanitarian heart.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Maintenance Engineer
Mike Arend oversees maintenance for the Indianapolis-area properties, ensuring our hotels can operate at capacity at all hours. He has been part of the Schahet Hotels family since 1994.
Due to his years of expertise, Mike is instrumental in developing efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective engineering solutions. He works closely with each hotel's engineer to ensure that maintenance and repairs are managed quickly, efficiently, and (ideally) in-house. He also partners with contractors on new projects and renovations. Mike is well-versed in all phases of building and mechanical operations. He has certifications in HVAC and EPA handling certificates, and he has also received certification in ECA & EMT.
Mike prides himself in his work ethic, organizational skills, solutions-oriented mindset, and his leadership within the company. Schahet Hotels' General Managers often refer to Mike as the glue that holds everything together. He is motivated by the wonderful people he works with on a daily basis.
Shilpa Vaidya manages and oversees the accounting and payroll departments at Schahet Hotels. She is responsible for accurate and timely financial reporting, taxes, government reports, and audits; as well as data tracking analysis.
Shilpa earned her BS in Mathematics and Chartered Accountant designation in India where she was born and raised. She moved to Canada with her family and earned her CPA in Canada in 2009.
Shilpa has worked in public accounting for a large part of her career. Her experience ranges from small to large CPA firms including Ernst & Young LLP. She has worked with a variety of clients in manufacturing, real estate, medical, pharmaceuticals, property management, construction & development, and junior mining companies. However, she wanted new challenges in her career and started as a controller consultant a few years ago. Before joining the team at Schahet Hotels, she worked as corporate controller for a group of companies based in Columbus Ohio.
Shilpa and her husband are blessed with a son who is a sophomore at Purdue University. She loves reading, painting and spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys hiking and travelling to new places around World.