Meet Our Team
Our leaders instill passion, confidence, and trust throughout the Riley Hotel Group organization, and it shows. Working with any one of our team members you’ll sense these qualities and see their impact on your business. Reach out to us at any time. We promise to listen and to continually improve our services as we have done since we began working to better hotels everywhere.
As a career hospitality "Jack of all trades,” Joe started in the industry at the ripe old age of 12, as a food and beverage specialist (dish washer) working for his family's restaurant business. After achieving his dream of becoming a Chef, he accepted industry positions as a Food and Beverage Director and graduated to the level of General Manager of one of Northeast Ohio's premier full service Hotel and conference centers, Quaker Square.
From there, Joe was a valuable general and regional manager during the expansion of Snavely Hotels and Janus Hotels and Resorts, respectively. Ultimately, Joe started his own hospitality management company. Under Joe's leadership, Riley Hotel Group has grown to more than 400 associates and 17 hotels currently under management, with more on the way. An array of awards from the likes of Hilton Corporation and InterContinental Hotels are a testament to the hard work and skill of Joe and the team he has built.
Joe lives in Medina, Ohio with his wife Laura and their three sons Parker, Preston, and Michael. He is notable in the neighborhood for his impeccable dinner parties and terrible golf game.
Lisa has been with the company from its inception. In addition to numerous operational duties, Lisa is charged with managing the systems that address both guest & management service needs. With the hospitality industry’s continued emphasis on improved efficiency, Lisa focuses on the revenue enhancement systems, procurement, and championing systems and procedures to keep Riley Hotel Group current with technologies and applications. Her keen eye for detail has advanced her to act as a liaison between all Riley managed hotels, corporate staff, owners, investors, and the brands.
Lisa holds a degree in Hospitality, and in her nearly three decades in the hospitality industry, she has worked in all levels of the hotel industry, giving her the skills needed to effectively supervise multiple properties. Lisa has a proven track record of leading and creating efficient and profitable hotels. Lisa brings an exciting passion & specialized focus to Riley Hotel Group.
Lisa and her husband Frank enjoy cooking, gardening, and spending time with their two dogs, Kona and Enzo.
Rob brings with him 20 years of experience in leadership and coordination of company financial planning and budget management. Prior to joining Riley Hotel Group, he was a Controller at B&C Corporation. Rob is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) and a graduate of the University of Akron. A resident of Manchester, he enjoys spending time with his two daughters, golfing, softball, watching NASCAR and riding motorcycles.
Linda has brought 25 years of hospitality accounting experience to Riley Hotel Group. She has worked in both the corporate office as well as the hotel level. Being a team player in the hotel business means being flexible and working where needed. Linda has held positions in HR, payroll, internal auditor, controller and everything in between. Linda and her husband reside in Cuyahoga Falls and have two grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys reading, camping and spending time with family and friends.
Dan is a 1985 graduate of John Carroll University and has worked for a number of years for the Omni Properties Group in Lakewood, Ohio. He has extensive experience in auditing and adds tremendous value to our corporate accounting department. In addition, Dan is currently pursuing a Certificate in Hotel Revenue Management with the Cornell School of Hotel Management.
Dan and his wife Julie have 5 children and reside in Westlake, Ohio. Dan is an avid sports fan with a fondness for the Pittsburgh Steelers (we won't hold that against him) and enjoys boating and spending time at Kelley's Island on Lake Erie.
Jen’s role at Riley Hotel Group is managing key components to help impact the hotels’ top line revenue. In addition, she is responsible for the daily system management and analytic assessments to ensure the hotels remain successful and prosperous. Jen is a 2004 graduate of Ashland University with a degree in Business Management. She has worked in the hospitality industry for the past ten years utilizing her communication and business skills to bring support to our hotel properties and corporate team.
Jen enjoys spending her free time as a volunteer for The Make A Wish Foundation and serves on the committee for her local community’s Relay for Life. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and is an avid Cleveland Sports Fan.
Kristin began her career at Riley as an Executive Assistant supporting the President and VP of Operations. Over time, her passion and talent for creating marketing collateral and managing the websites in Riley's portfolio has taken her in a different direction. Although she will continue to wear many hats, she will spend the majority of her time focusing on the marketing for the corporate office and the hotels managed by Riley.
Kristin enjoys being with her family and friends, traveling, listening to music, being outside, DIY projects, and being a volunteer at a local animal shelter. She is the proud owner of three dogs and one cat. When she's not doing all of that you can find her in the gym (her second home).
Katie joined Riley Hotel Group as part of the accounting team. Her extensive experience and knowledge of accounts payable processes makes her an ideal person for this role. An Ohio native, she has over ten years of experience in accounting and began her career in accounts receivable. She has worked in both the construction and industrial industries.
Katie is a mother of three and enjoys watching her children play various sports and vacationing at the beach.
Taylor Kinder joined the Riley Hotel Group in May 2023. She is a 2015 graduate of Pittsburgh Technical College, holding an Associate Degree in Business Administration.
With a decade-long tenure in Quick Service Restaurant management, Taylor possesses a deep understanding of the dynamic hospitality industry. In addition, she has accrued five years of accounting proficiency across various sectors, including healthcare, restaurants, retail, and construction, ensuring a well-rounded skill set that is invaluable to the team.
Taylor enjoys spending quality time with her husband, family, and three cats. Her passions include running, hiking, and traveling.
Darlene has been with Riley Hotel Group for 15 years. Initially, she worked as a Guest Service Representative part-time while working full-time as a Licensed Social Worker and quickly decided that hospitality was her true passion. She advanced rapidly to a General Manager for one of our NE Ohio hotels and excelled in that position. From there, she took on the role of Task Force Manager, traveling to help support the opening of new hotels as well as current properties.
Now serving as a Regional Operations Manager, Darlene uses her excellent leadership skills and detail-oriented mindset to oversee the operations of our NE Ohio portfolio of hotels. She is instrumental in ensuring that our hotels are operating efficiently, which, in turn, improves profits, guest satisfaction, and team member retention. In her spare time, Darlene enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, music, and is active in her church where she serves as lead vocalist and chorus director. Darlene is also pursuing an MBA at Purdue Global University.
Frank is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and Greater Cincinnati Academy of Culinary Arts. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our food & beverage operations. In addition to his exceptional culinary skills and training, he is well versed in the budget, operations, and cost control initiatives (labor, food, and beverage) for our hotel restaurants and banquet operations. Frank enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa, family, and two dogs. In his spare time, he enjoys working in the yard, traveling, testing out new recipes, and donating his time in the local community.
Vince brings to Riley Hotel Group’s food & beverage operations a wealth of knowledge. With over 30 years in the industry, Vince uses his culinary and team building skills to assemble the most effective and productive food & beverage teams. After graduating culinary school, Vince went on to work in many local Italian restaurants where he perfected his homemade artisan pasta recipes. He is the proud father of three daughters, one son, and one granddaughter whom he enjoys spending time with. A passionate leader, Vince is dedicated to creating winning experiences for all of the food & beverage operations in Riley Hotel Groups’ portfolio.