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Our Team
President
Nick Patel is a graduate from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is responsible for the companies growth and profitability with a strong commitment to Turkey Creek Hospitality’s vision and mission statement. He is responsible for the company’s long-term growth strategy and positioning in the hotel industry as well as the coordination of all accounting, budgeting, financial and administrative functions for the company. He is the primary for negotiating management contracts, refinancing, acquisition and sales of the hotels. He serves the company in every aspect of hotel operations.
Director of Operations
Chris Drew joined Turkey Creek Hospitality in June 2012, bringing a diverse background in hospitality. She is an accomplished manager with extensive experience in front of house and back of house operations. Chris specializes in revenue management with a proven ability to cut costs and decrease staff turnover. Her innovative spirit & great work ethic has granted her numerous leadership positions in the business community.
Chris’ unwavering dedication & loyalty to her employees and guests awarded her the Hilton Circle of Excellence award.
As Director of Operations, Chris is responsible for
defining, implementing and revising operational policies and guidelines for the organization. Chris serves a major role in the Human Resource Department by ensuring we hire competent personnel and implement the most effective employee training programs.
Regional Director of Operations
Katie Ard joined Turkey Creek Hospitality in 2012, bringing years of experience in the hospitality industry. She has served in all areas of hotel operations. Katie’s tenacity & participative leadership style quickly advanced her within the company. Her “hands on” approach has won the respect of her peers, employees & guests alike. Katie has a true heart for hospitality. Katie realizes with a great team behind you, you can achieve so much. She brings out the best in our team members and cares for each and every one of them.
Katie received the 2019 Sevier County Hospitality Alliance Lodging Manager of the Year award while managing the Hampton Inn & Suites Kodak-Sevierville.
In 2023, Katie was promoted to Regional Director of Operations to develop major goals & support a broad range of functional objectives.
Director of Sales
Carol Warford has been in the hospitality industry since 1994.
With a BS in Psychology, an AA in Business & Interdisciplinary Studies, and Certifications in Accounting, Revenue Management and
Front & Back of the House Operations,
Carol is an aggressively enterprising Sales Director.
She began her career as a Guest Service Agent, moving up to managing Operations, and discovered a love of Sales in 2009.
When we met Carol in 2017, we knew she would be a great fit for TCH.
Carol is able to build relationships with clients, with our teams, and the community simply by being her genuine self. She spends a significant amount of time in her office overseeing high profile bookings, researching potential clients, processing paperwork and making calls. You will also see her moving around the hotel meeting and greeting guests and assisting the front desk team.
Carol is well known and respected by everyone in the hospitality industry and received the 2018 Sevier County Hospitality Alliance Lodging Employee of the Year award.
General Manager @ Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pigeon Forge-Near Dollywood
Erek Burkhart has been a part of the TCH family since 2010. He started as a Guest Service Agent at the Hampton Inn & Suites Sevierville and became FOM in 2013. Erek immersed himself in the study of all things Hospitality and Hotel Management. Along with his on the job training, he studied Business & Hospitality for 2 years at the University of Tennessee. It has been our pleasure to mentor him and watch him grow professionally. With his support, the Hampton Inn & Suites was awarded Hilton’s Circle of Excellence award.
As AGM, Erek directed and watched over the 2015 renovation of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sevierville and was promoted to the GM position in 2016. Continuing on his path of success, in 2016 he earned the IHG Renovation of the Year award, in 2017 he earned the IHG Quality Excellence award and in 2018 he received the Sevierville Hospitality Alliance GM of the Year award.
Erek accepted a new position as GM of our Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pigeon Forge-Near Dollywood in 2023 and has proven he could accept the challenge and excel in anything we throw at him.
He has exceeded all our expectations; he is a kind, fair leader who excels in hotel operations and cares for our guests as if they were his own family.
General Manager @ Hampton Inn Sevierville
Amy Patel began her hospitality career with us in 2019 as a Guest Service Agent. She quickly realized she was tailor-made for hospitality. It was the perfect fit.
On the front lines as a GSA, Amy realized that she could influence a guest's satisfaction with a delightful check in experience.
Amy believes in personalized service & rewarding guest loyalty.
Amy understands it's the attention to details that will create memorable moments and wow our guests.
After working with us for 2 years, she was promoted to AGM.
Amy knows our team members really are the heart and soul of our business and the key is finding the right role for each of our employees. Amy has a "by the book" management style with a soft approach.
For all the characteristics listed above, we didn't hesitate to promote her to GM of the Hampton Inn Sevierville in 2024 when she felt she was ready for the next step in her career.
General Manager @ Comfort Suites East Knoxville
Cassidy Drew has been a part of Turkey Creek Hospitality since 2012. She started right out of high school as a breakfast attendant at the Comfort Suites East and quickly moved into a Guest Service Agent position. Cassidy worked full time while attending Walter State Community College. She studied Business & Hospitality Management for 2 years. She dedicated herself to the Comfort Suites for 3 years before accepting a Front Office Manager position at our Hampton Inn & Suites Sevierville.
As FOM, she gained experience in both front of the house and back of the house operations.
In 2020 we were pleased to offer and have her accept the GM position at the Comfort Suites East Knoxville.
She worked hard and learned alot at the Hampton Inn & Suites Sevierville and it was like coming home to be back at the
Comfort Suites East.
Cassidy leads by example and has developed a great team. She has a loyal guest following and a great sales mentality.
General Manager @ Holiday Inn Express & Suites Knoxville West-Papermill Drive
LaTonya Rudolph joined the Turkey Creek Hospitality team in 2012 as the opening General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Knoxville West @ Papermill. She is a graduate from the University of Kentucky, holding a BBA in Marketing. She came to TCH with 16+ years of Sales & Managerial experience with a proven track record of success. Her primary responsibilities include developing rate strategies & driving key performance indicators (Occupancy, ADR & Rev PAR). LaTonya has been instrumental in the development of many of the sales & revenue management tools that TCH uses today.
Under her leadership, the Holiday Inn Express Knoxville West has earned Newcomer of the Year, IHG Design, and the Torchbearer awards. In 2018, LaTonya was named
Knoxville Tourism Alliance General Manager of the Year.
Her servant leadership style & passion for sales will help to sustain our position as a market leader.
General Manager @ Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pigeon Forge-Sevierville
Wendy Sue aka Alex Ramsey joined the Turkey Creek Hospitality team in 2022 as an Auditor for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sevierville and quickly climbed the ranks to GM.
She began her hospitality career in Charleston, South Carolina after retiring from the United States Army. Alex served her country honorably and we are proud to have Alex as a part of our management team.
During her 6 years in Charleston, she worked for one company that managed several brands. She had a well-rounded education in the hotel business and hospitality.
She brings a level of professionalism and dedication in her leadership role which trickles down to her team. Her and her team go the extra mile for our guests which turn good stays into great ones.
Alex leads by example and believes that is the best way to achieve amazing hospitality.
General Manager @ Hampton Inn & Suites Sevierville-Stadium Drive
Jessica Green Bio coming soon
General Manager @ Comfort Inn & Suites Kodak
Robyn Clower joined the Turkey Creek Hospitality team in (Bio Coming Soon)
Chief Engineer
Ron Ledford, began working for TCH in July 2017 . His engineering experience began in 1984 with residential apartments. He keeps our hotels looking their best with naturally high standards and approach's every task with dedication and pride. Ron manages the maintenance operations of all our properties.
Ron's experience in troubleshooting, diagnosing, and repairing electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic systems makes him an integral part in the success of our organization.
Chief Engineer
John Kuznicki began working with TCH in June 2023.
He has been in hotel/resort maintenance for 6+ years. John has a natural ability & talent for hotel maintenance. His instinctive strengths enable him to see what needs to be done and does it.
What he doesn't know, he will learn to do.
John is currently overseeing the property improvement renovation at Hampton Inn Sevierville. He monitors the performance of the contractors to ensure their level of performance is maintained at a level that is expected within our company guidelines to achieve our goals of safety and quality assurance.
Accounting
Michelle Woods has been with TCH almost since it’s inception approximately 20 years ago. She is not just the person who records the accounts & transactions of our business. She is someone we trust to be privy to everything. Michelle is extremely aware of the business operations, goals and issues within our company and has the ability to enhance relationships with Managers, Customers, Suppliers and Staff. She stays up to date on what is happening in the bookkeeping, accounting and technology sector to ensure our processes are as simple and efficient as possible. Michelle has an excellent eye for detail to ensure our accounts are up to date and error free. She has the trust and confidence of everyone in our company.