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Leadership

Our leaders shape who we are and drive our future direction. With decades of experience between them, they are experts in their fields. Each is led by their own particular passions and specialties, yet all are committed to the Gettys vision.

Roger G. Hill II | Andrew J. Fay | Ariane Steinbeck | Bradley F. Gookins | Daniel Welborn | Duk J. Kim | Jerry Zeitner | Karrie Drinkhahn | Meg Prendergast | Michael Maurer | Ron Swidler

 

Roger G. Hill II
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer

EDUCATION
Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Urban Land Institute
International Society for Hospitality Consultants
Young Presidents Organization

Leader and co-founder, Roger has led Gettys through nearly three decades of growth. Shaped by his expertise and influence, he has positioned the company at the forefront of the hospitality design industry.

Revolutionary approaches. Global expansion. Through Roger’s leadership, Gettys transformed the standard business model for hospitality design, taking procurement and property development in-house. Today he spearheads Gettys’ development efforts, including the acquisition and repositioning of assets throughout the United States, and expansion to overseas markets.

Frequently invited to share his incomparable insight to hospitality and business industry publications, Roger’s achievements have earned him Hospitality Design Magazine’s prestigious Platinum Circle Award.

 

Andrew J. Fay
President/Chief Operating Officer

EDUCATION
Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

Dynamic leader. Global sensibilities. A founding partner, Andrew has led the Gettys vision through hundreds of successful projects and 25 years of growth.

With a diverse background, spanning hotel operations, real estate finance and marketing expertise, Andrew takes a 360-degree approach to hospitality design. He drives Gettys’ dynamic and creative approach, championing innovations and cutting-edge solutions to create enduring design and procurement solutions that offer measurable returns.

A native of Tasmania, Andrew is a founding principal of GETTYS|BLU – a sister organization of Gettys, and is a board member of QUO – a global brand strategy and communications company headquartered in Thailand.

 

Ariane Steinbeck, IIDA, LEED^®AP
Managing Director/Principal

EDUCATION
Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Cornell Hotel Society
Network of Executive Women in Hospitality
National Council for Interior Design Qualification
International Interior Design Association

One of Gettys’ four founding partners, Ariane is the renaissance woman of the foursome. An affinity for design. A gift for building strong rapport with her clients. A worldview honed through decades of international travel. Ariane brings a balance to the table that is definitively Gettys.   

After two decades leading Gettys’ design expertise for the hospitality industry from Gettys Chicago headquarters, Ariane is defining the company’s strategy in Asia Pacific, acting as Managing Director of our Hong Kong and Manila offices. 

Ariane’s broad project experience is made up of high-end residential, hotels, and luxury resorts and spas including hundreds of commissions for the world’s most prominent hotel companies.

Her work has been published and recognized by a broad spectrum of media – Hospitality Design Magazine, Realty and Building Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Hotel & Motel Management, Hotel Business Magazine, CNN Online and Bloomberg Asia TV. She is also a frequent speaker at industry trade shows and has served as guest lecturer for Cornell University’s Hotel School.

 

Bradley F. Gookins, CPA
Chief Financial Officer

EDUCATION
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Master’s Degree, Accountancy

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Keller Graduate School of Management

As Chief Financial Officer, Brad directs and oversees all financial functions for Gettys worldwide.

A man with a passion for figures, Bradley keeps the team grounded – ensuring that our bottom line remains healthy. A collaborator with a honed strategic edge, Brad liaises with our management team as well as external private equity partners and financial institutions.

Prior to joining Gettys, Brad worked as the Controller for Interra Development Partners LLC, a commercial real estate developer based in Chicago and joint venture partner with Prudential Real Estate Investors of New Jersey. He was also a Senior Auditor for the Chicago Real Estate Group of Ernst & Young LLP.

 

Daniel Welborn, AIA, LEED^® AP
Principal Irvine

EDUCATION
Georgia Institute of Technology
Master of Architecture

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects
Licensed Architect, State of Illinois
US Green Building Council LEED^® Accreditation

As principal in charge of Gettys’ hospitality design practice in the Americas, Dan is able to extend his passion for great and sustainable design to the hospitality industry.  Working in close collaboration with the firm's clients and Gettys' US based offices (Chicago, Miami and Irvine), Dan forms a strategic vision bringing together the disciplines of planning, architecture and interior design. Coupling this with integrated business objectives, Dan and the team at Gettys have created a formula where they consistently achieve functional and financial success.

 An engaged industry leader, Dan is frequently invited to speak at conferences across the United States including at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) and Urban Land Institute (ULI). Sharing his expertise and knowledge, Dan has taught Interior Design studios at Philadelphia University and was part of the International Association of Conference Centers’ (IACC) Thought Leader Summit in Toronto.

 Dan received his Master of Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has been commissioned to lend his talents to major hotel brands such as Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood and Hilton across the United States and Asia Pacific.

 

Duk J. Kim, AIA, LEED^® AP
Principal Chicago

EDUCATION
University of Michigan
Master of Architecture

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects
Licensed Architect, State of Illinois
US Green Building Council, LEED^® Accreditation

A born collaborator, Duk believes in the power of open and effective communication. China, Manila, Seoul, Dubai, the US. His work spans the globe, while his designs can be found in everything from hotels and resorts to casinos, spas, restaurants, serviced apartments and retail developments.

Duk has an exceptional natural ability to understand the challenges and needs of a complex project. He consistently ensures there is a true match between vision and built design. He is fascinated by brands that try to capture a lifestyle and loves to unpick the many layers of detail they offer to a designer.

Duk’s work has been published in a variety of hospitality design publications, and he has taught hospitality design for several years at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago.

 

Jerry Zeitner
Principal Chicago

EDUCATION
Illinois State University
Bachelors of Science, Finance

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Institute for Supply Management

For well over a decade Jerry has been one of our most prized vanguards. He was one of the key developers of our proprietary Integrated Solutions™ procurement management system, in addition to leading our development and investment arm.

Adding value to each step of the process, he advises our partners and projects on feasibility and due diligence, capital improvement budgeting, ROI analysis, brand and management company identification/selection, capital expenditure, master planning and project management.

“What’s amazing about our foray into development is that it gives us a whole new perspective to hospitality design and procurement that we can leverage for the success of every project.”

Jerry’s recent development triumphs include the complete redevelopment of Hotel Felix, Chicago’s first LEED^® certified boutique hotel in downtown Chicago, and the establishment of an independent luxury hotel in the landmark IBM Building now to be The Langham Chicago.

 

Karrie Drinkhahn, IIDA, LEED^® AP
Principal Miami

EDUCATION
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts, Interior Design

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
US Green Building Council LEED^® Accreditation
Licensed Interior Designer – State of Florida
International Interior Design Association

Fourteen years, two cities, five offices. Karrie is a true Gettys veteran. Head of our Miami office, Karrie oversees our Caribbean and South American interests while also contributing enormously to our Business Development efforts around the world.

Karrie blends a contemporary view of hospitality trends with a deep understanding of the business of design and architecture. She unites a deep commitment to ROI with design talent and global vision. She is a firm believer in bringing an honest passion and dedication to each client interaction.

“Each project is new, exciting and a challenge. Any project that creates a great relationship with the owner, the property, the hotel brand for me is a highlight.”

Gettys is committed to a spirit of innovation and Karrie is a true believer of this approach. She is inspired by hotel brands, designers, architects and owners who are willing to take a risk, to be different and bring about change and evolution within the industry.

 

Meg Prendergast
Principal Chicago

EDUCATION
Harrington College of Interior Design
Associate of Fine Arts

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Network of Executive Women in Hospitality

A true cornerstone of our firm. Meg has been a part of the Gettys family for over two decades. Having honed her skills under some of the industry’s design greats, she has now carved out a name for herself, garnering awards and recognition from the industry and her peers. Our resident spa expert, Meg is frequently sought after for knowledge and expertise on this growing sector of the hospitality industry.

Meg is also a master of client interactions. Whether it’s for hotels, high-end residential, conference centers, or luxury resorts, she has an innate knack for balancing her own ideas with those of the client, delivering designs with impact.

“One of the highlights of working at Gettys is the collaboration that stems from fantastic working friendships with our clients – the good ones always result in fantastic design solutions that everyone feels great about at the end of the day – and it shows in the design.”

Meg loves details and still brings a touch of the classic ‘handcrafted’ element to her projects, while fully embracing the design technologies of today.

 

Michael Maurer, AIA
Principal Chicago

EDUCATION
University of Illinois
Bachelor of Science, Architecture

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects
Urban Land Institute

Mike believes in creating original ideas that work. He strives to produce distinctive designs and architecture applications that create a better experience for guests and better returns for the client.

“Each project provides an opportunity to advance the model, to create something new, to rethink hotel design and enhance the guest experience.”

With two decades of experience behind him, Mike has successfully managed countless hospitality projects across the globe. He possesses an acute understanding of the goals of each participant in the design and development process, from cost-effectiveness to outstanding design to brand compliance, and has the ability to find the right approach to achieve each of them.

Mike has been widely published on the topics of hospitality design and architecture, mixed-use development and value engineering.

 

Ron Swidler
Principal, Chicago

EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

The first employee hired by Gettys, Ron grew the firm’s client list and project portfolio throughout the US, Caribbean and into Asia.

A collaborative and an innovative thinker, Ron has shaped dozens of hotel, resort and brand initiatives over his two decades at Gettys. It was Ron’s passion for new approaches and pioneering ideas which created Gettys ONE and the Hotel of Tomorrow (H.O.T.) Project. These days he continues to bring his enthusiasm and depth of insight to Brand Design.

A noted industry speaker, Ron is frequently engaged to share the research and results of his work throughout the world.

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