Biographies

Fred Cerrone serves as President and CEO of Hotel Equities. His hospitality career spans a four-decade progression from desk clerk at Boston's largest hotel, to managing operations for hotels throughout the country, to launching Hotel Equities, his own company, in 1989.

A general manager at age 21 and twice recognized as "General Manager of the Year" by national hotel franchises, Fred has hospitality in his blood. After many years in key positions with top hotels, he founded Hotel Equities and became a Marriott franchise partner. Fred then co-founded Day Hospitality Group (DHG) with Peyton Day. After a successful 10-year run, he purchased the management segment of DHG and re-named the company Hotel Equities.

Fred Cerrone graduated with an AS degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Miami Dade College and earned an MBA at Georgia State University. He holds the prestigious Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) designation through the American Lodging Association. HotelWorld Expo & Conference named him Global Hotelier of the Year 2009, a most prestigious award that honors leaders in the hospitality industry. Chairman of Marriott’s Fairfield Inn Franchise Advisory Board, Fred Cerrone also serves on the Franchise Advisory Board for Marriott's SpringHill Suites. He is Chairman to the Instep International Board of Directors. He is a member of the Advisory Board for Georgia State University's Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality and he sits on the board of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Hospitality is a people-centered business and people are Fred Cerrone's passion. He enjoys seeing Hotel Equities' associates thrive and considers himself Head Coach of the hospitality team. He served six years in the USMC Reserve. He enjoys all sports (particularly baseball), playing golf, reading, and spending time with his six grandchildren. A member of Dunwoody Baptist Church, he is married to Christine, his high school sweetheart.

Alan Bennett serves as Senior Vice President and CFO of Hotel Equities. His focus at the hotel development and management company is strategic business growth and development. His responsibilities include interaction with the capital markets and management of the finance, accounting and information technology systems for the firm’s corporate operations and the hotels presently in the firm’s portfolio.

Before coming to Hotel Equities, Alan served as Executive Vice President and CFO of DS Medical Supply, a specialty healthcare distributor. He successfully grew its revenue, increased profit margins, and then sold the company to a national healthcare firm. 

He has held various accounting and finance positions in the aviation, computer software, and refrigerated warehouse industries where he also gained a wealth of experience in financial and strategic planning.

Alan is a graduate of Georgia State University with a B.B.A. in Accounting.  He and his wife Lynne, both Atlanta natives, are the parents of three teenage children. An avid golfer, Alan also enjoys water activities such as boating and jet skiing.  He and his family are active members of Peachtree Corners Baptist Church where he works with the youth.

As a Southern Baptist pastor for sixteen years, Rev. Greg Smith was invited to become Hotel Equites' Corporate Chaplain in 1998.  A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University (B.A. Bible) and Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, he is completing a Doctorate of Ministry degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Greg regularly visits each property, oversees the Hotel Equities' 24-hour Prayer Line, hosts weekly Life Lessons Over Lunch, plans and leads mission projects in the community and abroad, conducts Bible studies and weekly devotions, and is available for associates in times of counseling and crisis.  As an HE Coach, he works to fulfill the company's ministry objectives.

Greg is the founder and President of InStep International, an Atlanta-based non-profit organization.  He is active in local and international missionary projects, enjoys helping people reach their full potential, and partners with EQUIP in training one million Christian leaders worldwide.

Employed by Marriott International for seven years, Tamara Markham joined Hotel Equities in 1998 in hotel operations before assuming broader responsibilities in human resources and training. With a background in numerous operations, training, and HR-related capacities within the hotel industry, she also has experience as a General Manager.

Tamara is a board member of Marriott's Training Franchise Advisory Council. She holds a B.S. degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Kansas State University.

Active in her church, she enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Phil Bullard brings more than 25 years of corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial experience to Hotel Equities. He trained as a manager with K-Mart and opened new stores nationwide. A construction materials purchasing agent for two major corporations, he relocated to Atlanta for Kajima Process Mechanical Division to organize and direct warehouse operations. He subsequently formed his own maintenance consulting practice.

Active in the community, Phil volunteers as a Stephen's minister at Peachtree Presbyterian Church and serves on the board of Instep International. He attended the University of South Carolina School of Hospitality.

Devoted to his family, he enjoys golf, reading, and playing chess.

With 25 years in the hotel business, Elizabeth Derby joined Hotel Equities in Atlanta in 1997. Prior experience included sales positions at the The Mills House Hotel in Charleston, the Memphis Marriott, the Lowell Sheraton, and the Charlotte Marriott Executive Park. With a B.S. in Administrative Management from Clemson University, Elizabeth began her career at the Kiawah Island Resort.

Elizabeth manages both sales and marketing for Hotel Equities' portfolio of hotels. She enjoys antiquing, reading, and spending time with her two children and is an active member of Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church.

Margaret Jones has managed Hotel Equities' public relation's functions since 1996. With a background in the nonprofit sector, Margaret led accounts and directed staff at an agency before forming her own practice in 1995. Clients have included Marriott International, the Atlanta Omni, Atlanta Hilton, Atlanta Renaissance Hotels, AT&T, the Henssler Equity Fund, and the Fox Law Firm among others. Active in the Public Relations Society of America, she donates services to the Midtown Assistance Center.

An Elder at Shallowford Presbyterian Church, she also chairs the Communication's Committee. Margaret holds a B.A. in Communications from Penn State University and an M.A. from Columbia University. She enjoys reading and running.

Mary Beth Cutshall brings 25 years of extensive hospitality experience to her development position with Hotel Equities.  Mary Beth joined Hotel Equities in 2004 after managing her own sales and marketing consulting firm.  Prior experience included sales & marketing, food & beverage, and operations positions with Marriott International and Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing with Hotel Investors Trust (HOT), prior to and during the transition to Starwood Lodging Corporation.

Mary Beth earned a B.S. in Hotel Administration from UNLV and studied at Ecole Hoteliere in Lausanne. Active in her community as the mother of two, Mary Beth enjoys running, reading, cooking, and traveling.

With an Executive MBA from Mercer University in Atlanta, Andrew Pace earned extensive experience in hospitality management and real estate development when he served as President of Development & Acquisitions for Longhouse Hospitality, owner and operator of the Sun Suites, Crestwood Suites and Jameson Inn hotels. He acquired operation's experience overseeing 44 hotels as President of Longhouse Hospitality's Management Company. He also founded SuiteOne Hotels, a chain of seven extended stay hotels.

On the Advisory Board for Georgia State University's Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality, he also serves as a Governor-appointed member of the Georgia State Board of Architects. A community leader, he enjoys tennis, gardening and travel with his wife and three sons.

Carlos Melgar brings more than 10 years in financial analytics in the lodging industry to Hotel Equities.  Most recently, he served six years as SVP, Controller and Asset Management for Atlanta-based Premier Hotel Corporation, a full-service management company.   Previously the Senior Analyst for Six Continents Hotels supporting Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza and the Mexico Franchise Operations, he first worked two years as a regional Senior Analyst with Choice Hotels International.

Carlos earned a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Arizona. A family man, he is active in the children’s ministry at his church and enjoys golf and running.  

Joining Hotel Equities in 1995, Sal Capriola progressed to General Manager, then also served as a Team Leader and a Financial Analyst for the company.  Marriott named him the 2007 General Manager of the Year for the Fairfield Inn brand.  His hotel was the 2007 Marriott Training Hotel of the Year. 

With more than 13 years experience in training and operations, Sal has responsibility for developing and conducting Hotel Equities' University classes and conducting Operations Audit (OA) inspections of all hotels. He provides operational leadership and support in the field.  

An active community volunteer, Sal coaches his son’s Little League baseball team and enjoys his daughter’s dance activities. 

Drew Salapka has more  than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry.  He joined Hotel Equities in 1999 and rose steadily from intern to General Manager to Team Leader.  Marriott named him 2007 GM of the Year for the TownePlace Suites brand. 

As Revenue Manager, he oversees inventory management for all company hotels, analyzes room demand, evaluates market strengths and weaknesses and monitors key market statistics that impact the hotels’ profitability.  He also heads the firm’s E-Commerce effort.

Drew holds a B.S. in Business Management from Clemson University.  Active in community service, he serves as Auction Coordinator for Marriott’s Torch Relay for the Children’s Miracle Network.  

Jeff began his hospitality career more than 16 years ago as a sales coordinator for Courtyard by Marriott. At Hotel Equities since 1995, he has held leadership positions including General Manager and Team Leader.  Marriott named him GM of the Year for the Fairfield Inn brand in both 1997 and 2006.

In his position, Jeff will create financial reviews as needed and serve as a liaison between the company and the owners of hotels in the HE portfolio.

Jeff holds a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Georgia.  Married with two children, he enjoys golf, tennis and coaching Little League baseball.

With more than 30 years of hospitality experience, Moe Barkley has served as a Food & Beverage Director nationwide for some of the best-known hotel brands.  He spent 12 years with Hotel Equities, including time as a General Manager.  In 1989, he achieved the Certified Hotel Administrator (C.H.A.) status.  From1999 through mid-2009, he worked as a Food & Beverage Director for the following Atlanta-area hotels: the Georgian Terrace Hotel, the Doubletree Guest Suites, and the Doubletree Hotel. He re-joined HE in 2009 as Bench Manager and GM for The Lodge at Simpsonwood, a 170-room retreat and conference center. 

He enjoys following horse racing and playing golf.