Kerry V. Ranson
Executive Vice President / COO

Kerry Ranson has over 19 years of experience in the hospitality industry. His professional culture has been dominated by one basic philosophy: "Consistency developed through systems execution is the groundwork for any successful venture.” If a property has proper systems in place, the hotel can withstand any conditions.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Kerry obtained a degree in Communications from the University of New Orleans.  Kerry's entrepreneurial spirit was evident at a young age, when he would clean his parents' house weekly for an allowance; but in an effort to have the house cleaned faster Kerry contracted out labor through his friends, and he would reward those friends with rides out in his car, while still pocketing the allowance.  This spirit has been evident in all of his endeavors; he was instrumental in the founding of HP Hotels in 2002  and growing the management company from 6 hotels to over 38 hotels in 16 states.  HP entered into the TOP 100 Management Companies under his tenure.

Kerry began his hospitality career in the food and beverage arena with Ruby Tuesday's.  He then entered the lodging side of hospitality, with Wilson Hotel Management Company. Kerry also spent time with Mirage hotels, opening the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi.

In 1999, Kerry joined Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) as an area director, where he drove both occupancy and ADR by implementing structured revenue management systems at each of his 20 plus properties. Kerry was with IHG until he joined the start-up team of HP-Hotels in 2002.  Kerry also holds the prestigious designation of an Executive Member of the IHG Owners Board.

Kerry, wife, Elizabeth and triplet daughters, Ava, Sydney and Olivia reside in New Orleans.
 

Jeff Iavarone
Vice President Sales / Marketing & E-Commerce

Jeff Iavarone brings eighteen years of industry experience to the role of Vice President Sales/Marketing and E-Commerce with Expotel Hospitality. Prior to joining Expotel Hospitality, Jeff was Senior Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for the Flagstone Hospitality/RFS Hotel Investors which was one of the largest REIT's in the U.S.

Jeff's primary role was the direct oversight of  the West Region portfolio of (Hiltons, Marriott's, Holiday, Sheratons, Doubletree) hotels for six years. He was active in setting global direction and processes for Flagstone Hospitality over the years setting the standard of driving top line revenue through relationships and proactive communication with his hotel teams. He had consistently driven premium RevPar Index's upwards throughout his six year tenure.

He was awarded "Trainer of the Year" for Flagstone's fifty three hotels and is the author of "Managing and Measuring" including author of "Sight Impact". His hotels have won numerous awards and achievements including "Chairman's Circle" (Marriott), lead the Southeast "DOS Of The Year" (Marriott) and Southeast "Sales Team of the Year" (Marriott), Sheraton's "Most Improved Hotel", and awarded a "Quality Excellence" hotel through IHG Hotels.

Jeff has the experience of senior level leadership providing a highly engaging entrepreneurial environment while deploying sound sales, marketing, e-commerce, revenue management and operational strategy to all Expotel hotels. He has extensive knowledge of brand initiatives and systems across full service, extended stay, as well as limited feature products bringing Expotel experience and knowledge of an ever changing industry.

Prior to his tenure at Flagstone, Jeff served as Director of Marketing & Sales for Hilton Hotels and Sheraton Hotels in Chicago and Atlanta and as National Sales Manager roles in the hospitality industry. Jeff graduated from University of Illinois with BA in Marketing and has lived in Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas. Jeff is a full-time resident of New Orleans and enjoys reading, golf, and running. He lives his life by quoting "Passiveness is Not an Option".
 

Nick J. Agostinelli
Vice President Operations / Food & Beverage

Nick Agostinelli began his hospitality career at an early age, working in a variety of hotels and restaurants in and around Chicago, where he was raised. After gaining valuable experience with Hyatt Hotels, he joined I.F.G. Hospitality Services and served as  Regional Food and Beverage Director, where he managed food and beverage programs under many different hotel brands of I.F.G.  Nick also served as Director of Operations for the Pinnacle Group, Scottsdale, AZ, and Director of Food and Beverage-General Manager at the Sheraton San Marcos Resort in Arizona.

In 1998, he joined Expotel’s 314-room Embassy Suites, Phoenix North as Director of F&B where he was instrumental in the launch of the company’s restaurant concept: Lafitte’s Restaurant, New Orleans Food And All That Jazz. As a result, he was named Corporate F&B Director for Expotel Hospitality Services hotels across the country. Nick continues to seek
cost-effective, yet inviting and profitable, food venues for all hotels.

Nick's successful food and operational track record has led him to his current role as Vice President Operations for the West for Expotel Hospitality Services.  Nick currently oversees the Phoenix Regional office and lives in Scottsdale with his wife and two daughters.
 

Chris Schott
Chief Financial Officer

Christopher Schott joined Burrus Investment Group in 1986 as its Corporate Controller.  He now serves as the firm's Chief Financial Officer, member of the Board of Directors of the affiliates and Secretary/Treasurer and corporate general partner of each of the affiliate’s partnerships including Expotel Hospitality Services.

In 2001 his role was expanded to include the duties of Chief Financial Officer for Expotel Hospitality Services.  Chris is a Certified Public Accountant and a licensed Real Estate Agent. He was previously an audit senior at the firm of Deloitte & Touche and a controller for a local real estate company. He is a member of the New Orleans Chapter of the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants, and serves on the Board of Directors of The Burrus Foundation. A native of New Orleans, Chris is married and the father of four children.

Richard Ganucheau
Vice President of Technology and Risk Management

Richard Ganucheau joined Expotel’s parent company, Burrus Investment Group, Inc. in 1989 to start their in-house property management division for company owned real estate. In 1990 he assumed the role of Technology Manager to oversee every aspect of their computer and telecommunications projects. Richard has since been a hands-on manager who continues to achieve a difficult balance between cost containment and quality.

Since its inception in 2001, Richard has continued his responsibilities for Expotel and the task of overseeing Risk Management  and IT for the hotel portfolio. Richard displays a very broad approach to both disciplines of Risk Management and IT performance for the hotel portfolio.  His ingenuity and expertise in both fields lends a resilient resource to the hotels of Expotel.

Richard graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He resides just outside of New Orleans in Mandeville with his wife, Jeanne-Marie, and their two daughters.