Meet the Team

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

Chris Norman
Vice President

Moji Alade
Regional Director of Operations

Joy Underwood
Regional Director of Operations

Kari Kortz
Chief Financial Officer

Terri Sarrault
Senior Accountant

Logan Cell
Accountant

Samantha Bowman
Accountant

Karla Werner
Accountant

Brady Rocco
Payroll Specialist

Denise Crawford
Accounting Associate

Kelly Eiler
Accounting Associate

Vacancy
Accounting Associate

Gina Spray
Senior Accounts Payable Coordinator

Vacancy
Accounts Payable

Tami Morrow
Operations Support Assistant

Heather Ferguson
Social Media Specialist

Chris Godfrey
Sr. Vice President

Lurry Lacour
Vice President

Lisa Reyes
Regional Director of Operations

Ryan Preston
Regional Director of Operations

Jason Andrade
Revenue Manager

Chris Dendel
Revenue Manager

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. 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 others within our various markets.

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.

Chris Norman

Vice President

Chris joined American Hospitality Management in 2009 bringing more than 20 years in the hotel industry in which he held roles as General Manager, Area Manager, Regional Manager and Director of Sales. He is currently responsible for a portfolio of our hotels where he oversees all aspects of hotel operations.

Prior to his role with AHM, he held positions with Marriott International, Hilton Hotels, White Lodging Services and Island Hospitality. Chris’s background includes many years with extended stay, select service and experience in full service hotels with brands such as Residence Inn, Staybridge Suites, Courtyard, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Embassy Suites and Radisson.

Chris graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and has complete a multitude of industry training including General Manager and Sales certification training for Intercontinental Hotel Group, Marriott and Hilton.

Moji Alade

Regional Director of Operations

Moji has over 13 years of hotel management experience in multiple Marriott & Hilton brands. Her experience covers operations, sales, and revenue management. Moji thrives when faced with new challenges. Her first General Manager position was an Area General Manager overseeing a Courtyard by Marriott and had the privilege of opening a Residence Inn by Marriott which received Marriott’s Opening Hotel of the year in 2017. She excels in developing strategies to move the needle in top line revenue, business relationships, guest satisfaction, and team culture. She is the recipient of the following awards presented by the Ohio Lodging Association in 2022: Ohio SEL General Manager of the Year & Greater Cincinnati Region SEL General Manager of the Year.

Moji graduated from Tulane University with a B.S. in Exercise & Sport Science before obtaining a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Born & raised in Bakersfield, California, Moji moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 2013, where she currently resides with Jaxon (her Pug).

Joy Underwood

Regional Director of Operations

Joy is a passionate and energetic leader who loves to invest in people. She was born in the UP and lived there from 3rd grade through high school graduation. Having her roots in the UP has given her a deep sense of community along with a love for people coupled with grit & determination in all she does. Joy thrives on bringing out the best in others while supporting their successes.

Joy has been married to her perfect match, Rob, for 8 years. They are the modern day Brady Bunch, with 6 kids between them, one son in law, and their first grandson (who is absolutely perfect!). They enjoy spending their time together; traveling, soaking up the sun, listening to great music and finding laughter in the journey. She’s been told that she was perfectly named: JOY. How can she help you discover your joy today?

Kari Kortz

Chief Financial Officer

Kari joined American Hospitality Management in June 2020 as the Chief Financial Officer. She is a certified public accountant and actively licensed in the State of Michigan. Kari joined AHM with 20 years of progressive experience in public and governmental accounting.

She is a northern Michigan native, graduating from Lake Superior State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration. She spent the first six years of her career in public accounting as an auditor with Rehmann Robson, LLC in their Traverse City and Cheboygan offices. While in public accounting she gained experience with internal controls, processes, and risk assessment and management for financial institutions, closely held businesses and local government.

After public accounting, Kari transitioned into local government administration where she spent the next twelve years as the finance director and assistant County administrator for Cheboygan County. There she gained experience in financial transparency, reporting and analysis, budgeting, and human resource and benefit administration.

She recently returned to public accounting with a focus on team development and practice administration.

Kari has enjoyed giving back to the local community through volunteering. Over the years, she was involved in the Cheboygan Jaycees, serving as treasurer and the North Star Figure Skating Association, serving as secretary. Most recently, she sits on the Board of Directors for the Cheboygan Youth Center, which supports at-risk youth in the Cheboygan area. She is also an active member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Kari lives in Cheboygan, with her daughter Hannah, and enjoys spending time with her and their extended family. She loves being near, on, in, and under the water, traveling (typically to warmer destinations), and attending festivals, concerts and sporting events.

Terri Sarrault

Senior Accounting Specialist

Terri joined AHM’s Financial Operations team in October of 2007. Terri came to AHM from Great Lake Tissue Company’s (formerly P&G) accounting team. She has an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and did some work toward her Bachelor’s Degree at Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration.

Terri prepares monthly financial statements and sales tax returns for multiple properties and States. As part of the financial operations team, she also does cash management for several properties. Terri also works on other special projects and has been involved with new property take over and set up.

Terri enjoys being on or near the Lakes in Northern Michigan when she can, reading and traveling.

Logan Cell

Accountant

Logan joined the AHM team in February of 2021. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism, he has spent most of his career in the hospitality industry. Starting as a banquet server in the Detroit metro area, he was able to move up into different rolls at different levels of hotels. Some of the renowned places that he has worked would include; all three Boyne properties in Michigan, the iconic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, and the Venetian and Palms Hotel & Casino’s in Las Vegas.

In his spare time, Logan enjoys gardening, fishing and boating. Life is always better on a boat! When that is not possible, he spends his time finding projects around the house.

Samantha Bowman

Accountant

Samantha joined the team in 2022 as an Accountant. She graduated from Michigan State University and is a proud Spartan. Coming from residential property management, Samantha has been in both the student housing & conventional housing industry for just over 10 years. With experience in onsite management, leasing and marketing, and more recently, accounting, Samantha is ready to dive in to the hospitality industry.

Samantha has previously lived in Chicago and Madison, WI but Michigan is her home. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 3 daughters & husband. She is a busy mom at home raising 3 babies in the past 4 years.

Brady Rocco

Payroll Specialist

Brady joined the AHM team in January 2023 as the Payroll Specialist. This is the first step in his career, as he plans to go back to school to pursue a career in Accounting or a related field.

Brady was born and raised in Cheboygan, MI. Outside of work he really enjoys travelling, being on or near the lake with friends and family, and fishing.

Denise Crawford

Accounting Associate

Denise is a graduate of North Central Michigan College holding a Degree in Accounting. Her parents owned and operated a restaurant in Levering, MI for most of her childhood which gave her the opportunity to learn customer satisfaction from an early age. While working in the restaurant business she also worked at several hotels/motels in Mackinaw City with a variety of job responsibilities. This gives her great respect to those that are currently working in this field.

Denise has been a part of the AHM team since June 2006 as an Auditor as well as assisting in Payroll. Denise has over 20 years of experience in Payroll/HR and over 5 years’ experience of audit.

Denise enjoys every minute that she is able to spend with her children and grandchildren. In her free time she enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, gardening, cooking, sewing and crocheting amongst other activities.

Kelly Eiler

Accounting Associate

Kelly Eiler is coming to AHM with 15 years’ experience in hospitality. Her experience ranges from auditing, front desk, night auditing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and assisting many departments on different projects.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. Kelly spends her time camping, boating, snowmobiling, off-roading, cooking, gardening, sewing and spending time with friends at a good camp fire.

Gina Spray

Senior Accounts Payable Coordinator

Gina has been with AHM since November of 2004. She is responsible for Accounts Payable for many of the hotels in AHM’s portfolio, to include hotels in Receivership.

Gina was born and raised in Cheboygan, MI. In her free time, she enjoys camping, fishing, and golfing with her family.

Tami Morrow

Operations Support Assistant

Tami joined the AHM team in January 2013 as a receptionist, in July, 2013 she accepted the position of Operations Assistant with job duties consisting of New Business set up, Insurance Claim processing, Payables and Payroll.

Prior to joining the team Tami worked for three years as an Office Manager and 26 years as a Bookkeeper.

In her spare time she enjoy, walking, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

Heather Ferguson

Social Media Specialist

Heather joined the AHM team in 2010 as the Social Media Specialist. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Public Relations and Journalism.

Heather has gained experience through multiple internships in public relations, marketing, and social media management.

Heather was born and raised in Cheboygan, MI. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son and husband, traveling, and spending summers on the lake with family and friends.

Chris Godfrey

Sr. 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.

Lurry Lacour

Vice President

Lurry joined the American Hospitality Management team in 2013 and is responsible for all aspects of hotel operations of a group of assigned hotels as well as assisting in securing new 3rd party management contracts and new hotel development.

He began his hospitality career as part-time night maintenance person while in high school. Through the years he progressively worked his way up to ranks of the industry overseeing the entire portfolio for a large well-respected hotel management company. In 2006 he co-founded Copper Hospitality, Inc. and developed and operated hotels within the Marriott, Hilton and IHG family of brands. His experience ranges from interstate hotels to resorts, inner-city to suburban and from acquisition/turn-around projects to company owned. He has learned from some of the best and brightest hoteliers in the country.

As the former President and Chief Operating Officer of Copper Hospitality, Inc. he brings over 35 years of vast and far-reaching experience in the hospitality industry to his role with AHM. Lurry has a strong operational background and specializes in Asset Management, Operations, Strategic Planning and Development.

Lurry gained a large portion of his hospitality experience having spent 19 years at Highpointe Hotel Corporation. During his tenure at HHC, Lurry help an array of positions such as Night Auditor, Front Desk Supervisor, Food & Beverage Director, Regional Property Accountant, Assistant General Manager, General Manager, Area Operations Manager, Area General Manager and Regional Director of Operations & Asset Management. Before co-founding Copper Hospitality, Inc., he ascended into the role of Vice-President Operations overseeing the day-to-day well-being of all of the hotels in the LBA Properties portfolio.

Under Lurry’s direction and leadership many hotels received recognition as top performers in their respective brands receiving such awards as “Lighthouse” winners for Hilton: Platinum, Gold and Top Operations from Marriott, Top Food & Beverage performer from IHG and more.

Lisa Reyes

Regional Director of Operations

Lisa came to AHM as the General Manager of the TownePlace Suites in Goodyear, AZ in 2015; and most recently is providing guidance and support to other GMs as Regional Director Operations as of January 2023. She brings 20+ years of experience having worked as general manager at all three of the major hotel brands; IHG, Hilton and Marriott.

Lisa enjoys all things outdoors, spending time with family and traveling when not at work.

Ryan Preston

Regional Director of Operations

Ryan Preston, who thinks most bios are boring, is a father to 3 amazing adults and grandpa to 3 beautiful children. He lives in a world where humor is currency and he’s the star of the show. With a background in laughter, leadership, and ludicrous behavior, his energy and passion for people is nothing short of inspiring. Ryan’s never met a ‘Stranger’.

CHA certified Ryan Preston has been known as the Hampton Inn & Suites Riverton General Manager since early 2013. In addition to his work as a manager, leader, and mentor, Ryan is community oriented, having served on many committees and boards including Wind River Visitors Council, Wyoming Hospitality and Travel Coalition, Chamber Board of Directors, and EDGE Committee.

Ryan established himself in the hospitality industry early on assuming his first hotel job at the age of 19 as the Assistant General Manager of the Inn America in Nampa, ID. He since has worked in Idaho, Nebraska, Montana, Oklahoma, & Wyoming where’s he gained experience with Hilton, Marriott, and Choice hotels. He’s a recipient of many awards and honors including the CEO Light and Warmth of Hospitality and the Conrad Achievement Award.

When Ryan isn’t enthralled in all things hospitality, you can find him throwing darts down at the local watering hole, working on his 1974 Ford Highboy, or relaxing with close friends and family. He’s an admirer of classic cars, loves to travel, and enjoys life and adventure.

Jason Andrade

Revenue Manager

Jason joined the AHM team as a Revenue Manager in 2023. His hospitality experience began in 2005 as a part-time night auditor, and since has gained experience in multiple Hilton and Marriott brands. His hospitality experience coupled with a background in technology support and project management allows him to provide a unique perspective on revenue strategy and implementation.

In his spare time Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children, cooking, baking, traveling, and being generally nerdy.

Chris Dendel

Revenue Manager

Chris started their hospitality career in college as a night auditor but has held many roles at the hotel level. Prior to joining AHM as a Revenue Manager in 2023, Chris worked as a Director of Sales at Staybridge Suites Kalamazoo for the past 7 years and really specializes within the IHG brand and extended stay properties. They love all things numbers and bring a unique point of view to revenue management.

In their spare time, Chris enjoys reading all the books they can get their hands on and relaxing with their miniature poodles, Rome and Coop.