Gettys: Hospitality Design and Development

Daniel Welborn, AIA, LEED® AP

It is Dan’s infectious enthusiasm and love of people which drives his passion for hospitality design and architecture. He has been invited to participate as a member of the US Green Building Council’s LEED^® advisory group for the hospitality industry and is a frequent moderator on industry conference panels. It is his cemented capabilities as an engaged leader in which Dan oversees the operations of our Southern California office as well as several projects in China.

EDUCATION
Georgia Institute of Technology
Master of Architecture

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects
US Green Building Council LEED^® Accreditation

Ariane Steinbeck, IIDA, LEED® AP

After two decades leading the firm’s design expertise from our Chicago headquarters, Ariane, a founding partner, is now defining the company’s ever-growing presence in Asia Pacific. Her innate ability in building a strong rapport with clients, along with her profound design capabilities, has led to vast project experience made up of hundreds of commissions for the world’s most astute hotel brands.  A constant featured speaker at conferences, Ariane has appeared in various media outlets such as Bloomberg Asia, CNN, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Ariane is fluent in German, English and Spanish.

EDUCATION
Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration
Bachelor of Science

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
International Interior Design Association
US Green Building Council, LEED^® Accreditation

Andrew Fay

As a founding partner, Andrew has spearheaded nearly 25 years of growth with his dynamic leadership style and global sensibilities. His diverse background of hotel operations, real estate finance, and marketing expertise affords him a strategic understanding of the hospitality ownership and development business. Under his guidance, Gettys has successfully completed over 600 hotel and resort projects. A noted industry speaker, Andrew is frequently engaged to share his insights around the world on delivering enduring design with measurable investment return.

EDUCATION
Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration
Bachelor of Science

Karrie Drinkhahn, IIDA, LEED® AP

Karrie has built her career by seamlessly combining an always contemporary view of hospitality trends with a deep understanding of the business of design and architecture. Working with the most respected brands, it is her global vision, design talent and focus on ROI that contributes to her breadth of knowledge of our industry. As the head of our Miami office, Karrie not only oversees our Caribbean and South American interests but contributes enormously to our Business Development efforts the world over.

EDUCATION
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts, Interior Design

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
US Green Building Council LEED^® Accreditation
International Interior Design Association

Roger G. Hill II

Roger is a highly respected hospitality industry veteran whose expertise and influence have helped make the company he founded one the most recognized and published firms. He leads the strategy and analysis for Gettys’ development efforts, including the acquisition and repositioning of assets throughout the United States. In addition to being known for consistently creating hotels that deliver profits, Roger changed the business model of hospitality design by offering a turnkey development-design-procurement formula to hoteliers. He has served as an appointed delegate for the White House Conference on Small Business.

EDUCATION
Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration
Bachelor of Science

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

Meg Prendergast

A true cornerstone of the firm with more than two decades of experience, Meg is one of our longest-standing team members. Her dedication to delivering design with never failing graciousness to the most prominent of clients whether it is for hotels, high-end residential, conference centers, or luxury resorts, has resulted in recognition and awards from the industry and her peers. As our resident spa expert, Meg is frequently sought after for her knowledge and understanding of this growing sector of the hospitality industry.

EDUCATION
Harrington College of Interior Design
Associate of Fine Arts

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Network of Executive Women in Hospitality

Michael Maurer, AIA

For 20 years, Mike has focused uncompromisingly on creating distinctive design and architecture applications that speak solely to each specific project. Having honed his collaborative nature after two decades in the industry, Mike is truly cognizant of brand and concept which has resulted in the management of successful hospitality projects across the globe. He has been widely published on the topics of hospitality design and architecture, mixed-use development and value engineering.

EDUCATION
University of Illinois
Bachelor of Science, Architecture

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Architects
Urban Land Institute

Jerry Zeitner

For well over a decade Jerry has been one of our most prized vanguards. In addition to leading our development and investment arm, he was one of the key developers of our proprietary Integrated Solutions^TM procurement management system. It is with incredible value that 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.

EDUCATION
Illinois State University
Bachelor of Science, Finance

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Institute for Supply Management

Duk J. Kim, AIA, LEED® AP

As leader of Gettys’ Chicago Design Studio, Duk uses his philosophy of collaboration to make project success possible through open and effective communication. His natural ability to take in the vision of the owner, the challenges and needs of complex projects, all the while adding to the brand’s portfolio, has proven time and again a formula for success. Duk’s work around the world truly runs the gamut of hospitality and thus can be seen in hotels, resorts, casinos, spas, restaurants, serviced apartments and retail developments. He is conversant in Korean.

EDUCATION
University of Michigan
Master of Architecture

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

Ron Swidler

Entrusted and empowered with the Gettys brand, Ron grew the firm's client list and project portfolio throughout the US, Caribbean and into Asia. 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 new ideas which created the Hotel of Tomorrow (H.O.T.) Project. A noted industry speaker, Ron is frequently engaged to share the research and results of his work throughout the world.

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

Daniel C. Pierce

Daniel is a Principal in the Chicago office where he balances and directs all phases of architecture, design and strategic brand thinking projects within his studio. Dan's first hospitality endeavor, a fortuitous opportunity to redefine hospitality along the Riviera Maya, was the Aqua hotel along the white sand beaches of Cancun. Today, his expertise in creating hotels and resorts around the world extends from North America to the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia. It is in part due to the combination of his diverse global experience, forward-thinking architecture and design ideas, as well as client relationships that have helped shape Gettys' global growth.

EDUCATION

University of Arizona
Bachelor of Architecture

Bradley F. Gookins, CPA

Brad works effectively with a diverse group of internal and external talent to drive profitability. He oversees all financial functions including: accounting, tax, audit, management reporting, budgeting, cost controls, cash/treasury functions, developing and maintaining a process of identifying, accumulating, analyzing, interpreting, preparing and communicating financial information to be used in strategic decision making. Brad is also an adjunct professor at the Keller Graduate School of Management.

EDUCATION
Miami University
Master of Accountancy

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants