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Our Team
President
Director of Operations
Director of Operations
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
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
Director of 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 & grea
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
Lori Smith is a recent addition to the TCH team. Lori has been in the hospitality industry for over 13 years. What started as a job for her at the front desk has led to a career in hotel operations.
During her career, Lori has been the recipient of IHG's Torchbearer Award & the Award of Excellence.
As the GM of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pigeon Forge, Lori combines her love of engaging with her guests together with a strong connection to her team. Lori believes building a strong team by teaching best practices and then empowering them to make sound decisions is the key to running a great hotel.
At a young age, Lori's Dad told her that she would talk to a tree if it would talk back. Her friendliness & approachability is what makes her an asset to Turkey Creek Hospitality. Lori contributes her great work ethic to her strong desire to provide a great life for her 2 daughters.
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 Kodak-Sevierville
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 & in 2024, Cassidy took on a dual role as GM of the Comfort Suites Kodak-Sevierville.
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 @ Home2 By Hilton Sevierville
Bio for Tracy Wade
Manager in Training @ Hampton Inn & Suites Sevierville-Stadium Drive
Paige Lowery is the first recipient of the Turkey Creek Hospitality Internship Program. Paige had spent a few summers working in the Hampton Inn Kodak's laundry room and/or helping to maintain our beautiful landscaping.
Paige was raised in a family of people who live & breath hospitality, therefore, when she graduated it just made sense for her to dive right in to the hotel business. Hospitality internships offer a unique blend of practical experience and academic learning. Internships provide a glimpse into various roles. From hotel management to event planning, the opportunities are vast.
General Manager @ Comfort Inn & Suites East-Knoxville
Danielle Gazley joined TCH via Comfort Suites East right out of college in May 2021. Danielle is a graduate from Pelissipi State with a degree in business & hospitality management.
Her education and dedication serve her team well.
Danielle's work ethic is a great example to her team. Danielle can be found working in any department within the hotel. If housekeeping is short handed, she's cleaning rooms or doing laundry. If someone calls in sick or needs a day off, she can be found at the front desk providing our guests with the very best guest service in the industry.
To say Danielle is an asset to our company would be a huge understatement. Her level of performance is outstanding and her level of conscientiousness is to be respected.
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
William "Claude" Evans began working with TCH in June 2022.
Prior to coming to TCH, Claude owned his own contracting business. Claude 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.
Accounting
Michelle Woods has been with TCH almost since it’s inception approximately 24 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.