Leadership
Chairman/CEO
Roger G. Hill II
With the guiding mantra of “beautiful design is good business,” Roger co-founded The Gettys Group with Andrew Fay in 1988. He now leads the development strategy and analysis for this award-winning and influential global hospitality design, procurement, branding and consulting firm.
A true hospitality visionary, Roger’s vision and forward-thinking approach has grown The Gettys Group into a global company with six offices in the U.S., Asia Pacific and the Middle East. He frequently shares his industry insights on the redevelopment, renovation and repositioning of hotels for various publications and organizations.
A graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Roger’s vast knowledge, combined with his civic work with such groups as the Urban Land Institute, the International Society for Hospitality Consultants and the White House Conference Delegate for Small Business, has earned him Hospitality Design Magazine’s prestigious Platinum Circle Award, an honor widely recognized for praising exceptional achievement in the hospitality design industry.
President
Andrew J. Fay
An Australian native who now proudly calls Chicago home, Andrew is the President and Founding Partner of The Gettys Group, where he has spearheaded nearly three decades of growth for this groundbreaking and award-winning global hospitality interior design, consulting,branding and procurement firm. Propelled by Andrew’s dynamic leadership style and global sensibilities, The Gettys Group has grown from one office in Chicago to four offices throughout the United States, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
By leveraging Andrew’s diverse background in design, hotel operations, real estate finance and branding, The Gettys Group has established a worldwide reputation for having an innovative and creative approach to the hotel design and development process. The firm has also earned rankings among the top global hospitality design and procurement firms while completing several hundred hospitality projects throughout the world.
An honors graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Andrew is a noted industry speaker who is frequently engaged to share his expertise and insight about the hospitality industry, business strategy and global trends. He is also active with a number of civic groups in his adopted hometown of Chicago.
Chief Operating Officer
Jerry Zeitner
With 30 years of hospitality industry experience, Jerry has a broad knowledge of hotel operations, program management, design implementation and development. As Chief Operating Officer, he is responsible for overseeing, developing and setting the direction of The Gettys Group’s day-to-day operations and growth strategies. Jerry leads a team of dedicated, creative team members who create new brands, design beautifully engaging spaces and bring design visions to life.
At The Gettys Group, Jerry has been instrumental in developing several innovative new business groups, including our proprietary Integrated Solutions procurement system; Gettys ONE, our design approach tailored for select-service brands, and the continued growth of our Hospitality Development initiative. A natural thought leader, Jerry is a frequent speaker at industry events and is often called upon by the global hospitality media for his insights and expertise
Jerry holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from Illinois State University.
Chief Financial Officer
Bradley F. Gookins
An accomplished professional with almost two decades experience in private industry and public accounting, Brad is The Gettys Group’s Chief Financial Officer. In this role as well as his position on the Advisory Board, Brad is responsible for providing leadership and guidance to position The Gettys Group to achieve its strategic growth objectives.
Prior to joining The Gettys Group, Brad worked as the Controller for Interra Development Partners, a commercial developer based in Chicago and joint venture partner with Prudential Real Estate Investors. He was also a Senior Auditor for the Chicago Real Estate Group of Ernst & Young LLP.
Brad is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is an adjunct professor of managerial accounting at the Keller Graduate School of Management. He received his Master of Accountancy from Miami University of Ohio.
From crunching numbers to hitting all the right notes, Brad once sang on stage with John Mellencamp.
Chief Innovation Officer
Ron Swidler
With a passion for pioneering ideas and new approaches to hospitality design, Ron identifies new strategic growth initiatives for the whole company. He also serves as the lead in charge of the Branding Group, where he directs the planning, design and strategic thinking for projects ranging from boutique properties, large-scale events and international brands. A collaborative and an innovative thinker, Ron has shaped dozens of hotel, resort and brand initiatives during his three decades at The Gettys Group.
Ron’s vision also helped create Gettys ONE, the design and procurement division for branded hotels, and the Hotel of Tomorrow (H.O.T.™), an industry-leading think tank comprised of more than 100 companies, including hotel brands, investors, operators, consultants, media and manufacturers envisioning the future of the hospitality industry through collaboration.
He is frequently asked to speak at industry events and has been quoted in numerous publications featuring his hospitality, design and branding expertise. Ron received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and is affiliated with the Hospitality Leadership Advisory Board at Kendall College; and the DePaul University, Driehaus College of Business Advisory Board. He also serves as a guest practitioner at Kendall College School of Hospitality; Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France; EM Lyon in Shanghai; and Haaga Helia University in Helsinki, Finland.
Principal
Ben Nicholas
Serving as an ambassador for The Gettys Group, Ben has helped open two offices in his 13 years with the company. Working closely with the Hong Kong team, Ben also oversees a Design Americas studio. In this expansive role, Ben creates design stories, guides development, leads strategic thinking and oversees numerous influential projects around the globe.
Ben has worked on national brand enhancements and lifestyle-driven design projects, from large-scale luxury properties such as The Henry, Autograph Collection in Dearborn, Michigan (which was named Marriott’s America’s Hotel of the Year in 2011) to small boutique hotels including the Kinzie Hotel in Chicago and Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island.
A graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design, Ben is a dedicated fan of college football and basketball and can be found cheering on the Cyclones at his alma mater every chance he gets.
Director / Business Development
Kevin Gildemeister
Director Kevin Gildemeister oversees the Populate Procurement team at The Gettys Group. Under his leadership, Populate provides our varied clients with seamless FFE procurement, product sourcing, freight management, installation oversight and financial accounting services.
Kevin’s career has been dedicated to servicing the hospitality design industry, and his extensive experience on both sides of the vendor-procurement equation has afforded him the ability to view projects from multiple perspectives. His thorough understanding of the people and processes required of a project allow us to consistently deliver holistic, thoughtful solutions that add value and eliminate stress for all stakeholders.
Born and raised in Illinois, Kevin is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, and holds a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Mangagement. Outside the office, Kevin enjoys attending his kids sporting events and activities, spending time with family and friends and golfing whenever his time (and the weather) allow.
Principal
Meg Prendergast
A highly accomplished hospitality designer, Meg brings a gracious approach to her role as Principal. Her three decades of experience as a leader in strategic brand thinking, Meg’s broad project expertise includes all aspects of hospitality design — from client and brand relationship management to the ideation and execution of entire projects.
Meg’s portfolio includes destination luxury resorts and spas, upscale hotels and high-end residential projects, with hundreds of commissions for the most prominent hotel companies and owners. Meg has received several recognitions and awards from the industry and her peers and frequently guest lectures including at her alma mater, the Harrington College of Design. Her work has been published in Hospitality Design, Boutique Design, Lodging Hospitality Design, Contract, the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Architect magazine.
Working with her teams, she prefers an atmosphere of collaboration, respect and design exploration, leading by example and providing an environment of inspiration. She brings that same spirit to firm operations with a high regard towards profitability and firm growth.
Meg is an engaged community member working with multiple charitable organizations in her hometown of Chicago, including the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality and is a member of the Chicago Artists Coalition. She holds memberships in good standing with East Bank Club, The Women’s Athletic Club of Chicago and Every House Membership at Soho House. She is her Homeowner Association president and past president of the Women’s Board of the Adler Planetarium of Chicago and sustaining member of its Advisory Committee.
Her love of design, travel, fine living, the culinary arts and fashion provide a foundation for her passion as a designer and leader. She lives with her architect husband in Chicago.
Director / Development & Client Services
Molly O’Keefe
For the past 15 years, Molly has worked all over the globe leading business development initiatives within North and South America, the Caribbean, and Asia Pacific
Affectionately nicknamed “the linker” because she bounces around so frequently, Molly defines her role as the dot connector—the bridge between the business and creative sides of the business. She proudly wears many hats—preparing presentations, getting to know people and putting the right players together—all to ensure that every project has a smooth and successful execution. She is the face of the firm’s business development efforts, maintaining and continuing to grow it, and building strategic partnerships.
A risk-taker, adventurer and boundary pusher whose biggest fear is being uninspired, Molly believes that having a bit of a colorful personality has the power to open doors.
Director / Interior Design
Scott Durst
As a Design Director for Gettys Interiors, Scott’s responsibilities include setting the design direction for projects, mentoring and managing our talented design team and coordinating projects across Gettys multiple groups. From concept through completion, Scott has an intimate involvement in all aspects of interior, using his broad knowledge to ensure the overall success of our Client’s project vision.
Scott earned a Bachelor of Architecture and Science from Kent State University and his architectural training allows him to see projects from both a constructability and design point of view. Spending many years on construction sites, as well as managing his own investment property renovations has given him a deep understanding of how these two sides of a project work together.
His expansive hospitality portfolio includes Renaissance Allentown (Allentown PA), Boston Godfrey (Boston, MA), World of Wine (Porto, Portugal), Hilton Portland, Le Meridien Paris France (Competition), design collaboration of TGG booth for BD West Los Angeles, Blackstone Hotel Chicago, Sonesta (Milpitas, CA), Jazzboline Restaurant and Ballroom (Buffalo, NY), Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas Tampa, and Camp Creek Resort (Miramar Beach, FL).
Originally from Erie, PA, Scott has made his way around the globe, living and working in Florence, Italy, London, England, and Las Vegas, Nevada. His experience abroad has afforded him the opportunity to work with people of varied backgrounds and cultures, broadening his perspective and informing his design sensibilities.
Outside the office, Scott spends his time admiring the architectural details of the nearby jungle gym with his twin boy & girl and exploring the Chicago food and beverage scene with his wife.
Director / Populate Procurement
Anne Hiter
As Director of Populate Procurement, Anne is responsible for project management, nurturing client relationships and mentorship of the team.
Anne earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from The University of Chicago. A seasoned hospitality veteran, Anne came to The Gettys Group from Hyatt Corporation over seven years ago. Her experience in that position in addition to her work as a Capital/Operational Purchasing Coordinator, have made her well-versed in collaborating with hotel management on pricing for capital and FF&E items, analyzing hotel spend against capital budgets and assisting with marketing, food and beverage and brand standards projects.
Anne is currently Chapter President of NEWH’s Chicago chapter – leading a team focused on scholarship, education and networking in the hospitality industry. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Chris, and creating a loving environment for their many foster dogs, whom they help prepare to find their forever homes.
Director / Branding
Jana Arbogast
Director Jana Arbogast oversees the Branding team of The Gettys Group, leading designers, strategists, photographers and copywriters in the creation of differentiated and desirable brands. Under her direction, the team builds brands that win more than their fair share of the market through strategic positioning and the development of memorable naming, engaging experiences and distinctive visual identities.
Jana has called a variety of places home—from Florida to New York, Israel to Ohio. With a degree in Fine Arts from Washington University in St. Louis, she has applied her creative mindset and global perspective to brands such as World of Wine, Wayfarer, Sheraton Dallas, Hotel LeVeque, Reikart House, Architectural Concepts, Hotel Phillips, The Madison Washington D.C. and more.
Outside the office, Jana enjoys perfecting her hummus recipe, hopping on her bike whenever the weather permits and helping her son make fridge-worthy works of art.
Director / Information Technology
Mark Shugarman
An accomplished IT professional, Mark leads The Gettys Group’s technology team. As IT Director, Mark’s role encompasses research, development, deployment and maintenance of technology systems and solutions across The Gettys Group’s global operations.
A veteran of The Gettys Group, Mark has two decades of experience in the information technology field. Prior to entering the IT industry, Mark worked with a general contractor to build duplex factory/office complexes, offering him unique insight into the business of designing and constructing commercial buildings.
A Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, VMware Certified Professional and Cisco Certified Network Associate, Mark has been instrumental in the implementation of several technology advancements at The Gettys Group, including the Citrix XenDesktop Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, Office 365 migration and a global file sharing system that allows the company to collaborate across its four offices. Mark is also helping to direct the firm’s emerging Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality efforts.
Mark’s passions include knowledge sharing across a variety of topics, cooking and a good game of hoops.