Our People

Lee Curtis President & CEO		Lee Curtis has been President of BridgeStreet since August 2003 and was named CEO in January 2007 with the sale of BridgeStreet to Sorrento Asset Management. Mr. Curtis came to BridgeStreet in October 2000 as Senior Vice President of Operations and is the driving force behind the growth and innovation of our organization. He plays an active role within the industry, currently serving as the immediate Past-President of the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA). In 2006, Mr. Curtis was awarded the Tower of Excellence Award by CHPA for "Provider Member of the Year-Individual", which recognizes an outstanding member who has shown commitment and excellence within the industry. Previously, Mr. Curtis was a regional manager for Globe Corporate Stay International. His extensive background in corporate housing also includes a stint with Village Suites, where he was a director of operations and a regional director. Prior to entering the corporate housing industry, he held several management positions within the Hyatt Corporation. Mr. Curtis holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Central Michigan University. He also served as a Captain in the US Army Reserves, Infantry.
Jon Wohlfert Managing Director-Americas, CMO and CTO		Jon Wohlfert oversees all aspects of our expanding North American operations while seeking growth opportunities in Central and South America. Mr. Wohlfert is the driving force behind our international marketing efforts and the globalization of our IT systems and services. Since joining BridgeStreet in 2003 as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Wohlfert has been instrumental in repositioning the BridgeStreet brand as a global leader and creating a sales-oriented culture. He is also responsible for expanding the technology platforms utilized by BridgeStreet in the areas of customer relations and supplier management. Mr. Wohlfert's background includes 20-years of sales and marketing experience, including positions with Wyndham International, Summerfield Suites, Sierra Suites, Twelve Oaks Corporate Housing and Marriott. Additionally, he served as Chairman of TrendFX from 2000 to 2003. Mr. Wohlfert earned an MBA from Michigan State University and received his bachelor's degree from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Stephen Hanton Managing Director-EMEA, COO		Stephen Hanton oversees all aspects of our ongoing operations and expansion into continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His strategic guidance plays a critical role in the development and growth of our organization. Mr. Hanton joined BridgeStreet in the position of Vice President of Operations in January 2000 and assumed full responsibility for the UK and Paris markets in January 2002. Under his leadership BridgeStreet experienced explosive growth throughout the UK, further expanding our position as market leader. Mr. Hanton started his hospitality career in 1981 with Scott's Hotels, which operated under the Holiday Inn and Marriott brands. He has held a variety of management positions in the UK and Canadian markets, opening and converting hotels. In 1996 Mr. Hanton joined the emerging Serviced Apartment sector as General Manager for the Harrods' owned Hyde Park Residence. Mr. Hanton received a BA, with Honors, in Modern History and Politics.
Bob Barnett Senior Vice President - US		Bob Barnett leads BridgeStreet’s US operating and sales organization and global sales force and is involved in providing customers a seamless experience from sales to account implementation and management to the guest experience. Barnett has been instrumental in creating a exceptional customer-focused sales and service culture that is reinforced throughout the organization. Prior to joining BridgeStreet in 2008, Barnett served as president of Concentric Consulting Group where he provided strategy, sales and operations assistance and training to corporate and non-profit clients. His background includes more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership and sales roles, including positions with Residence Inn, Marriott Hotels and Guest Quarters Hotels. Barnett holds an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and a BA from the University of Virginia.
Dale Gingrich Senior Vice President, Finance		Dale Gingrich joined BridgeStreet in June 2004 and is responsible for the accounting and finance teams. Additionally, he is actively involved in our investment management and US mergers and acquisitions. Previously, Mr. Gingrich held various positions with Marriott International, including Vice President - Finance & Chief Financial Officer of Marriott Distribution Services (MDS) subsidiary, a $2B foodservice distribution company. Before joining Marriott, Mr. Gingrich held a variety of financial positions for a number of publicly traded companies. Mr. Gingrich earned a Master of Business Administration, Finance from the University of Pittsburgh and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware.
Alicia Kabiri Senior Vice President, General Counsel		Ms. Kabiri joined BridgeStreet in June of 2008 as its General Counsel and is responsible for all legal matters affecting BridgeStreet. She brings her prior experience in the hospitality industry and as in-house counsel to large international organizations to assist BridgeStreet in its global expansion. Ms. Kabiri has over 14 years of legal experience, including serving as in house counsel for Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Cendant Corporation and Wyndham Worldwide. She earned an LLM in Securities and Financial Regulation from Georgetown Law and an LLM from Syracuse University, and received her Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University. She is a member of the District of Columbia and New York bars.
Joan McCarthy Mack Senior Vice President, Global Supplier Management		Joan McCarthy Mack is responsible for growing BridgeStreet’s global footprint through the development and management of our Global Alliance Partner Program. Additionally, she works closely with the development team on new asset ownership and expansion opportunities. Prior to joining BridgeStreet, Ms. Mack served as Director of Supply Chain Management for Cartus, providing strategic oversight of their housing solutions program. The supplier network she developed is noted for achieving excellent guest satisfaction scores and increasing coverage to over 1400 cities across the globe. Previously, Ms. Mack worked at United Way/Northern Fairfield County for 10-years in a variety of management positions involving fundraising, strategic planning and agency fund distribution. Ms. Mack earned an MA in Organizational Communications from Fairfield University and received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Marymount College.
N. Paul Warman Senior Vice President, Global Account Management		Paul Warman leads our global account management team and resource center in the development, implementation and delivery of BridgeStreet’s comprehensive, customized housing programs. His vast industry knowledge and extensive experience in the international business arena are instrumental in growing and retaining our client base worldwide. Mr. Warman joined BridgeStreet in 1991 as a General Manager. In 1997 Mr. Warman became the Director of International Market Development and was integral in the expansion of BridgeStreet's operations into the London, Paris and New York markets. Prior to entering the corporate housing industry Mr. Warman spent 10-years in hotel management, during which time he managed properties for Hilton, Sheraton and a privately owned boutique hotel. Mr. Warman received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Miami University of Ohio.
Natalie Hickernell, CRP Vice President, Human Resources		Natalie Hickernell oversees the recruitment, organizational development and training of all BridgeStreet associates. Her leadership and extensive industry knowledge ensure that BridgeStreet associates are provided an optimal work environment to serve our clients and guests. Ms. Hickernell joined BridgeStreet in 1992 and served in a variety of management roles before becoming Director of Training and Development in 2005. Prior to joining BridgeStreet, Ms. Hickernell spent several years in property management. She has 10-years of experience in restaurant management and training positions in both casual and full service dining. Additionally, she spent 1-year in South Africa studying international affairs. Ms. Hickernell is a Certified Relocation Professional and also plays an active role in the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA) serving on the Education Committee.
Robyn Joliat Vice President, Operations - US		Ms. Joliat oversees BridgeStreet’s Global Solution Centers in the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions. Additionally, she plays a critical role in providing operational support to all of the US markets in the areas of accounting, HR and IT. She also leads the organization’s mission of customer service excellence with the BridgeCare program and other initiatives. Ms. Joliat began her career with BridgeStreet in 1997 after studying Hospitality Management at Ohio State University. She is an active member of Executive Women International (EWI), serving as past president of the Cincinnati chapter.
Marelyn Krueger Vice President, Account Management		Ms. Krueger joined the organization June, 2007 as part of the Account Management team. Recently completing her Global Mobility Specialist designation; Ms. Krueger has expanded her role with the organization to include management of more global clients. Prior to joining BridgeStreet Ms. Krueger was the VP of Sales for Instant Furniture Rental, a division of CORT Furniture, for almost twenty years. During that time she oversaw various aspects of the company including Purchasing, Operations and Marketing along with maintaining her role over the Sales Division. Ms. Krueger maintains an active role in the industry, sitting on the Board of Directors for the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA), chairperson for Industry Relations Committee and Conference Chair for the Annual Conference.
Jo Layton Vice President, Sales and Marketing - EMEA		Jo Layton is responsible for the sales and marketing efforts throughout the EMEA region. Jo joined BridgeStreet Worldwide in January 2005 and was instrumental in the expansion of our UK office. She is an active committee member of the Hotel Marketing Association and serves as an Executive Committee Member of the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) in the UK. Jo’s passion for service excellence and dedication to industry advancement played a leading role in creating the new UK grading system for serviced apartments in conjunction with Visit Britain. Jo began her career in the hospitality industry working for Marriott International for 9 years within the Marriott and Renaissance brands. Prior to joining BridgeStreet, she was the Director of Sales and Marketing for the flagship InterContinental London on Park Lane, part of the InterContinental Hotel Group, for 4 years.
Max Thorne Vice President, Development - EMEA		Max Thorne is responsible for the identification, negotiation and inventory management of serviced apartment blocks within the EMEA region. His extensive industry knowledge helped to create BridgeStreet’s unique property management brand, which offers investors superior revenue, cost and product management. Additionally, Mr. Thorne uncovers potential acquisition opportunities while expanding profitable distribution throughout EMEA. Mr. Thorne began his career in the serviced apartment industry in 1994 as General Manager of London Life Apartments, where he established the extended stay reservations department. He was serving as Assistant Vice President of Operations in 1998 when BridgeStreet acquired London Life Apartments. Prior to his current position Mr. Thorne was Director of Development, during which time he greatly expanded BridgeStreet’s portfolio throughout the UK. Before entering the industry Mr. Thorne owned and operated a real estate company in London.
Samantha Thorne Vice President, Corporate Client Relations - EMEA		Samantha Thorne oversees the inside sales teams serving BridgeStreet’s EMEA region along with developing client relationships and expanding sales opportunities. Ms. Thorne was instrumental in starting London Life Apartments, one of the UK’s first serviced apartment providers, in 1987. She was serving as Vice President when BridgeStreet acquired the company in 1998. With over 20-years of experience, Ms. Thorne is a pioneer of the industry and her entrepreneurial leadership helped to establish serviced apartments as an accommodation choice throughout the UK. Ms. Thorne has been influential in creating a sales-oriented culture and developing BridgeStreet into a leading global provider.
Liz Warnes Vice President, Finance - EMEA		Liz Warnes oversees all of the financial management fo