Rick Krueger oversees and directs all aspects of the company’s operations, strategies and growth. A 35+ year veteran of the hotel business, Rick began his hotel career in 1981 as a line-level associate with Vista Host, Inc. After working in and managing all departments at several hotels and traveling extensively for the company in roles involving new hotel openings, hotel acquisitions, projects, training and more, he was a successful General Manager and then continued to grow and take on multi-unit management roles.

After sustained success in roles of Regional Director and Vice President, Rick served for several years as Sr. Vice President of Operations for Vista Host. In addition to Operations, he was responsible for Revenue Management, Sales & Marketing, Purchasing and more. During his tenure with Vista Host, Rick was very involved with Hilton, Marriott, IHG and other major hotel companies and put together an excellent track record in operating brands including: Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Residence Inn, Courtyard, Fairfield, Springhill Suites, TownePlace Suites, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and more. Rick became Executive Vice President of Operations and was responsible for the overall operation of 166 extended stay hotels in nine states in the Southeast United States.

In 2014 Rick took on the role of Asset Manager for Four VP Houston, Inc.; supporting ownership with asset management and operations oversight of 12 Value Place hotels. As the portfolio grew to 16 hotels and with more in development and with the hotels re-branded to WoodSpring Suites, Gulf Coast Hotel Management, Inc., was formed in 2016 and began managing hotels in early 2017. Rick grew up in the Florida panhandle, attended Auburn University and lives in Houston, Texas.

Heather Martinez is responsible for the oversight and continuous development of our organization’s daily accounting, human resources, payroll and administrative functions in the Topeka, Kansas Support Office. Prior to joining Gulf Coast Hotel Management, Heather worked for eleven years with Mid-Land Management, Inc, a multi-family property management firm. From 2008 to 2017 she was the Vice President of Administration providing oversite for 1,200+ housing units in several locations within Kansas and Iowa. In addition to providing associate support, the Support Office prides themselves in constantly working to develop efficient and sound processes and procedures ensuring owners’ and investors’ assets are managed effectively. Heather lives in Topeka, Kansas where she was born and raised.

Scott Manning works directly with the Operations Teams in all facets for service excellence and performance improvement. With over thirty years of management experience, including over twenty five years in the hospitality industry, he’s been involved with multiple brands and industry segments. His hotel career began after many years in multi-unit retail, starting as a General Manager with Triton Hospitality in Orlando before being recruited into a District Manager role with a growing portfolio throughout Florida and eventually throughout the Southeast. After spending more than fifteen years with Extended Stay America in several multi-unit roles, serving as the Regional Director of Operations for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and Mississippi, Scott joined Four VP in August of 2016 as Gulf Coast Hotel Management was being formed. Currently residing in Houston, he grew up in Nashville, enjoys music and spending time with his two sons.

In his current role as District Manager, Lee oversees multiple properties in the Carolina’s, Orlando, Louisville and Cincinnati area. He discovered his passion for hotels when he started working for Candlewood Suites in 2000. He eventually worked his way up to General Manager before taking on an Area Manager position with Extended Stay America, in the Triad area of North Carolina. Lee also successfully managed a Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham for many years.

With 20+ years of experience working with industry leaders such as, IHG, ESA, Wyndham and Choice, Lee has developed his extended stay segment skill set to a high performance level. When not at work, Lee enjoys golf, hunting and spending time with his family. He joined Gulf Coast Hotel Management in 2020 and resides in Greensboro, NC.

Kaitlyn Perez oversees the operations for hotels in Denver, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Kansas City and Wichita. Kaitlyn began her 14+ year career in the hospitality industry at a young age, opening and working as a line-level front desk Associate at an Element by Westin.   Her commitment and work ethic while working in multiple positions at various hotels and especially while assisting with new hotel openings lead to her growth and success as she quickly worked her way into management roles and then became a General Manager.  In additional to Element by Westin, Kaitlyn has experience with several other hotel brands, including Aloft by Marriott and Tru by Hilton.  She has experience in the extended stay segment where she had great success managing Residence Inn by Marriott and Staybridge Suites by IHG hotels.

Kaitlyn has great passion for being a team player and a supportive leader.  Her path and personal experience allow her to provide great insight, direction, and support for her hotels to achieve high levels of operational and financial success.

Kaitlyn is based out of Denver, Colorado.  In her free time, she enjoys time with her family as she has 5 daughters and a husband, which itself is another full-time job. She loves to travel and loves pleasing people.

Shannon began her hospitality career in 2010, after having completed an undergraduate degree in Hospitality Management with a minor in Business from Eastern Illinois University. She brings a range of hotel brand experience, having worked with corporate and independently owned brands including: Best Western, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Wyndham Hotels Resorts and most recently Choice Hotels.    

Shannon’s experience has taken her to a number of properties across Indiana, Wisconsin and the Chicagoland suburbs. During that time, she made a name for herself turning around challenged properties by implementing new processes and taking a “hands on” approach to all aspects of hotel operations and execution.  

Currently, Shannon works as a District Manager for Gulf Coast Hotel Management, where she oversees three Chicagoland MainStay properties, along with a fourth in Connecticut. She is also charged with leading her team of General Managers to drive strong and consistent guest experiences, engage employees, and optimize revenues. Outside of work, Shannon is a former collegiate volleyball player that loves spending time with her adorable puppy (Bali) and has a passion for travel and exploring various cultures.

Francisca Headrick is responsible for the overall sales and marketing efforts for eight of the company’s MainStay Suites by Choice hotels. Her region includes Denver, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Chicago and Detroit.   She has enjoyed 35 years in the hospitality industry with 10 years of experience in operations before moving into sales and marketing.  Francisca’s industry knowledge and sales and marketing expertise are rooted in continued successes with Hilton Hotels and Resorts, IHG, Wyndham and Choice branded hotels. Her expertise ranges from extended stay to full-service hotels and from 76-room to 700-room properties.  Francisca came to Gulf Coast Hotel Management from the acquisition of the Hawthorn Suites with 8 ½ year experience with the now MainStay Suites Hotels. She has a strong understanding of revenue management and has been part of hotel teams consistently excelling in RevPAR performance and guest satisfaction. Her involvement in the travel industry includes membership and board seats for Tour Colorado (2 years membership Chairperson and 2 years President) and Hoffman Estates Chamber – Women Engaged in Business Group. She has a proven record of outstanding performance earning the Wyndham Platinum Sellers Award and the Wyndham Extended Stay Gold Sellers Awards.  She is a native Texan, who has lived in Illinois for the last 5 years. Francisca enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband of 26 years and 2 adorable cats. She is an avid Star Trek Fan, loves computer gaming and reading.

Ely Andrews is responsible for analyzing and quantifying revenue-related data that translate into actionable objectives for all hotels in the company’s MainStay Suites portfolio. He works closely with senior management and property level managers to uncover and maximize revenue successes whilst managing inventory outlets, data mining and implementing performance strategies to achieve desired revenue results.  He actively monitors individual market trends and conceptualizes rate strategies utilizing industry standard tools and veteran knowledge.   With two decades of hospitality experience, Ely served in operations for over 15 years, including success as a General Manager with a focus on culture creation and profit management.  He draws from a wide range of experience, including hotel management, revenue management, project management, field sales, marketing, and content creation, as well as, working in both large and small ownership groups overseeing new builds, acquisitions, and daily operations.   Prior to joining Gulf Coast Hotel Management in early 2017, he worked with Starwood Hotels, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, IHG, and Marriott Hotels and Resorts. Ely is originally from Southern California, attended Mt. San Jacinto College, and currently resides in Seabrook, Texas. Ely is a multi-instrumentalist that enjoys playing music with his son and two daughters. Additionally, he and his wife donate their time to Habitat for Humanity, local animal shelters, fostering animals, and community events

Chris Hill is responsible for the coordination, implementation and execution of revenue management strategies for all hotels and for the company; working closely with senior management and property level managers to maximize revenue opportunities and aggressively manage pricing, restrictions and revenue channels. He closely monitors market conditions and activity on a daily basis and executes sound rate strategies utilizing rate structures, inventory and channel controls and available systems and market intelligence. With over 20 years of hospitality experience, Chris has a diverse skillset in the hospitality industry, with a focus on revenue management and online booking for nearly 15 years. He draws on his wide range of experience, including: hotel front office management, reservations, revenue optimization, sales and online distributions, as well as, hospitality collaborations with the State of Texas and the cities of Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Prior to joining Gulf Coast Hotel Management in late 2016, he worked with Orbitz Worldwide, Starwood Hotels, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Marriott Hotels and Resorts and Disney’s Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World in Florida. Chris is originally from New Mexico, attended New Mexico State University, and currently resides in Dallas, Texas.