Experience & Dedication
The principals formed AHM in 1999, having worked together on several projects prior to the establishment of the business. The synergies created by their diverse areas of expertise allowed them to excel in this challenging industry. They initially limited their interests to the upper Midwest where their management efforts, knowledge of the market, and growing skills laid the foundation for expansion. AHM is now a nationwide, award-winning, hospitality management group servicing limited and full service hotels, extended stay, and resort properties. Their clients include some of the best known names in the world as well as independent owners, and their dedication to the success of every project ensures each realizes the benefit of AHM solution management.
Donald R. Schappacher
President & CEO/Co-Founder
Don graduated from Miami University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He was an auditor with the U.S. Department of Energy for several years and then went on to advance his career as a CPA with the international accounting firms of Touche Ross and KPMG. Enticed by the hospitality industry, Don decided to apply his business knowledge towards the operation of a property in the resort town of Mackinaw City, MI. Next came the development of the Days Inn in Sault Ste Marie, MI. The following year, Don moved on to the construction of the Days Inn in St. Ignace, MI - selling the hotel the same day it opened. As his involvement in the hospitality industry expanded, Don’s passion for this arena grew. He took on additional projects for himself as well as private investors, and eventually this lead to the formation of AHM.
He now focuses his energies on management and development using his 25 years experience in the hotel business to make strategic decisions culminating in the success of AHM managed properties from Louisiana to Wyoming.
Don currently holds contractor and real estate licenses, and maintains his CPA status. He served as President of the Mackinaw Area Tourist Bureau and was on the boards of the West Michigan Tourist Association, Petoskey Chamber of Commerce and the Cheboygan County United Way. Don is currently a committee member of the IHG IAHI board. He enjoys spending time with his two children, as well as traveling and skiing.
Fredrick W. Kindell
Senior Vice President and Co-Founder
Fred was a sergeant in the Army during the first Gulf War when he found himself overseeing food service locations while stationed in Europe. After serving six years, he returned to Northern Michigan where he began working in hospitality management. Drawing on his Army education and hotel experience, he joined forces with Don on the Holiday Inn Express & Suites project in St. Ignace and together they built the first of many hotels and founded AHM.
Now, with 20 years in the industry, Fred is instrumental to the success of the properties managed by AHM. In addition to new property development and construction management, he is directly involved in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the extended stay Marriott and IHG properties and oversees all Regional Vice Presidents. Fred also manages the negotiations of products and services that can be combined among hotels, keeping expenses low through economies of scale. He is the liaison between individual properties and the franchisers, ensuring superior brand support for each hotel.
Fred's commitment to excellence in the industry includes attending the Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, and Marriott’s schools for general managers and new owner orientation programs. He served as the Chairperson of the Michigan Alliance of Days Inn Hotels, President of both the Indian River Tourism Bureau and the Michigan Alliance of Holiday Inn Express Hotels. Fred has three sons, two of which have followed in his footsteps and serve in the Armed Forces. He is an avid bird hunter and also takes advantage of Northern Michigan’s fine fishing and boating opportunities.
Chris Godfrey
Sr. Regional Vice President
Chris joined American Hospitality Management in 2006, overseeing the Holiday Inn Express portfolio of hotels. In 2008, he became a partner in the management company with an expanded role as Senior Regional Vice President.
He is a graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Hospitality Business, a Certified Hotel Administrator through the American Hotel and Lodging Association and has completed General Manager training programs through Hilton and Intercontinental Hotels Group.
He has experience with Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Select, Sheraton, Comfort Suites, Hilton Suites brand hotels as well as independent hotels over the past 30 years as Task Force Manager, General Manager and Food & Beverage Director at hotels ranging in size from 70 rooms to 340 rooms. Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Shub Hotels, MeriStar Hospitality, Hotel Corporation of America, Landmark Hotel Corporation, Brock Hotel Corporation and Allen & O’Hara Developments are some of the management companies Chris has worked for over the years. As a task force manager, transitional assignments helping hotels navigate through change of general managers, ownership, or renovations was typical.
Markets that Chris has worked in include Detroit, Michigan; northern Michigan; Tampa, Florida; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dallas, Texas; and Tinton Falls, New Jersey.
Eric S. Vert
Regional Vice President
Eric has worked in the hospitality industry since 1993 when he got involved with the Holiday Inn West Bay of Traverse City, Michigan. He gained diversified experience at the property working as Night Auditor, Purchaser, Kitchen Manager, Guest Service Manager, Director of Operations as well as serving as Interim General Manager for the property.
He developed a passion for the hospitality industry and in April, 2008 began working for American Hospitality Management as General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express in Acme, MI. Eric was then promoted to Regional Vice President. Providing support to the General Managers at the property level, Eric ensures that they have the tools necessary to operate the properties as effectively and efficiently as possible. Eric also informs and enforces all AHM standards as well as brand standards for the hotels to make sure they are in compliance with the franchise agreements, where applicable.
Eric has received Front Office Operations Training (F.O.O.T.), Guest Experience Champion (G.E.C.), as well as General Managers Training for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites brand. Guests service and staff retention are his main concerns. He enjoys spending time with his family as well as camping, fishing and riding his motorcycle every chance he gets.
Craig A. Bonter
Business Development Consultant
Craig’s affiliation with AHM began in 1998 as one of the company’s first customers, trusting the management of his Northern Michigan Hotels to the principles of AHM. Mr. Bonter’s 15 years of experience span ownership, development and management. He has served on the Mackinaw Area Tourism Bureau, Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Air Service Task Force Board. He is currently a New Business Development consultant to AHM, working with the company to establish new management contracts and relationships with investors, lenders, special servicers and equity funds.
Prior to entering the hospitality industry Mr. Bonter was an executive in the high tech industry as VP of Sales with MTI Technology Corporation. Mr. Bonter is a graduate of Northwood University with a degree in Business Administration with majors in marketing and management.
Monica L. Leis
Director of Operations
Monica began her career in the hotel industry working with Don and Fred at the Days Inn Lakeview in Mackinaw City, MI. She has been with AHM since its inception in 1999. Monica is instrumental in the establishment of new corporations. She facilitates the operational set-up of the properties including credit card processing, banking relationships and tax registrations in multiple local and state jurisdictions. Monica is the administrator of all insurance policies, claim litigations, contract negotiations and compliance issues.
In addition, Monica oversees the daily operations of the corporate offices. She contributes the success of AHM to the hard-working, dedicated staff they have developed over the years.
After 20 years of living around the world, due to her husband's service in the Air Force, Monica enjoys being back in Northern Michigan, spending time with her family, boating and biking.
The Rest of the AHM Team
Anyone involved in hospitality management knows the people who work at the properties, and those in other support positions, bear the majority of the responsibility for the prosperity of each individual hotel. One of the key success factors enjoyed by AHM is the ability to hire, train, and retain the right people, and our years of management experience have taught us to value these important contributors. It is only through the dedication of this group that the properties we manage outperform all others within our various markets.
