5

Philosophy

The philosophy of North Point Hospitality is simple. The organization seeks to grow through developing upscale, brand defining, full service and focused service hotels in high barriers to entry markets with top-tier franchise partners such as Hilton and Marriott.

Our growth strategy for success is simple: be in the best markets with the best brands at the best locations. Operationally, our success comes from our belief of taking great care of our associates, who in turn will take great care of our guests.

Mission

The mission of North Point Hospitality is as clear and concise today as it was when our company was founded in 1978. Our mission is to reward our stakeholders, our guests, our investors, our associates, our brand partners and those who have entrusted us with the oversight of their assets, through a measured and balanced approach to growth and a commitment to the culture of superior service.

Vision

The vision of North Point Hospitality is that our company continues to be recognized as an award winning owner, developer and manager of brand defining hotels in key business markets and leisure destinations. That through a continued divestiture of leisure products, our measured and balanced approach to growth will yield resources that are reinvested in the company for the benefit of our stakeholders. That our guest experience, our culture of superior service and that our associates, at all levels, are provided the leadership, training and autonomy needed to create that culture regardless of hotel location or brand affiliation.

“It is not about being a big hospitality company, it is about being a great hospitality company. From development to operations, we want our team members, our guests, our brand partners, our lenders and our communities to see us as focused on greatness. We consider falling short of that as simply unacceptable.”


Whip M. Triplett
Chief Operating Officer

Leadership


Senior Leadership

JK Patel

Founder

At the age of 38, JK Patel immigrated to the United States in 1978 from Kisumu, Kenya with his wife and two young children. In Kenya, Mr. Patel had worked with Barclays Bank where he served as senior loan officer. That strong financial background served him well when he bought his first hotel in Aiken, South Carolina in 1979: a full-service Ramada Inn. Since then, Mr. Patel has developed, owned and operated more than 30 hotels throughout the Southeast. In 1996, Mr. Patel had the distinct honor of serving as chairman of the Asian American Hotels Owners Association (AAHOA), an organization that currently boasts a membership of more than 19,500. JK Patel currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Geeta. He enjoys traveling with his family and friends and spending time with his four grandchildren and great granddaughter.

JK Patel

Founder

Jay Patel

President & CEO

As president and CEO, Jay is responsible for the overall direction and guidance of the company ensuring it’s financial success while establishing a positive corporate culture. Jay is also personally involved in all strategic growth decisions related to site selection and brand options in potential markets as the company moves forward with its growth plan. His relationships with franchisors and lenders pave the way for future hotel developments and continued company success.

Jay joined North Point in 1991 after graduating from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. Since that time, the company has developed 29 hotels from the ground up with a total project cost of over $580,000,000. Understanding the link between business and community, Jay was instrumental in forming the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau and served as the organization’s first chairman of the board. Additionally, Jay is serving his fourteenth year on the Advisory Board of the Michael C. Carols Museum at Emory University.

Jay Patel

President & CEO

Whip Triplett

Chief Operating Officer

Whip Morrison Triplett serves as Chief Operating Officer for North Point Hospitality and joined the company in August 2001. In that capacity, Whip oversees the daily operation of the company, which includes operations for all North Point owned and managed hotels, construction of current projects, and due diligence of potential hotel development opportunities.

A 1992 graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Whip has more than 35 years of hospitality experience.

With a commitment to community, he served as the 2006 chairman of Visit Savannah, the 2011 and 2019 Chairman of Savannah Tourism and Leadership Council, and chairman of the 2016 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he has served as president of Leadership Savannah, and he currently holds a position on the Hilton Product Advisory Council. In 2014, he and his wife, Stephanie, established an endowed scholarship in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Auburn University, where he currently serves as Chair of that program’s advisory board. Mr. Triplett also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Dean of the School of Human Sciences at Auburn University.

Whip prefers to spend his free time with his wife and their two college aged children: his son, Tristan and daughter, Brooks.

Whip Triplett

Chief Operating Officer

Finance

Niraj Patel

Vice President of Finance

Niraj Patel serves North Point Hospitality as Vice President of Finance. In this role, he builds productivity and profitability through his ability to design and deliver next-generation finance management tools for all North Point’s properties. Niraj brings over 20 years of experience in accounting to provide effective analysis and report building, and leads all matters related to property taxes, insurance, construction budgeting and cost tracking, loan packages and monthly construction draws. He is especially strong in problem solving and analyzing data to find accounting information to allow officers to course-direct business at a moment’s notice. Niraj has a successful record of demonstrating the use and application of technical best practices to companies to improve recordkeeping and produce reports that meet audit and regulatory requirements.
Niraj earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Finance from Carleton University and his CPA membership is through the American Institute of CPAs.

Niraj Patel

Vice President of Finance

La Toya Holmes

Regional Controller

La Toya Holmes serves as a Regional Controller for North Point Hospitality and joined the company in August 2010. La Toya brings with her over a decade of hospitality experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree at Lincoln University. Prior to North Point, La Toya worked as an accountant for Hospitality Ventures, located in Atlanta, Georgia. La Toya also held positions as an accounting manager, credit manager and senior accountant for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Amerimar Enterprises, and Lodgian, Inc.

La Toya Holmes

Regional Controller

Kevin Giesse

Regional Controller

Kevin Giesse joined North Point Hospitality in March 2014 as a night auditor. Soon after, he became the accounting and human resources Manager in Midtown, Atlanta. He now serves as the Assistant Regional Controller for North Point Hospitality at the corporate office in Atlanta. Kevin started his hospitality career in 2007, and graduated from a German hospitality management school in 2010. He collectively has 13 years of hospitality experience with Hilton and one of Germany’s largest hotel chains, Maritim.

Kevin Giesse

Regional Controller

Gary Carney

Accounts Payable

Gary joined the North Point Hospitality team in September 2001, bringing with him over 17 years of hospitality experience. His first assignment was general manager of the rebranded Hampton Inn Alpharetta-Roswell. In 2005, Gary was assigned to the rebranded Doubletree Atlanta-Alpharetta, a two-time Connie award-winning hotel. Later in 2005, he was promoted to the position of area general manager, overseeing three Alpharetta properties; the DoubleTree Atlanta-Alpharetta, Hampton Inn Alpharetta-Roswell and the Hampton Inn & Suites Alpharetta-Windward. Gary will serve as the opening general manager at the Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Midtown.

Gary spends his leisure time group hiking throughout Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and beyond.

Gary Carney

Accounts Payable

Sales, Revenue Management & Marketing

Gina Peper

Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing + Operations

Gina Peper serves as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for North Point Hospitality, having joined the company in December 2001. During that time, she has assisted in opening 16 new hotels and three brand conversions. Gina is responsible for the overall sales & marketing efforts for all North Point owned and managed hotels, as well as the pre-sales efforts for hotels under construction.

A graduate of Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations, Gina has over 20 years of hospitality experience. She served as president of the Savannah Downtown Business Association in 2019 and was named 2019 Community Service Star, and 2018 New Guard. She was in the 2013–2014 Leadership Savannah class and was a 2014 “Big Wig” for the Susan G. Komen of Coastal Georgia fall campaign. Gina currently lives in Nashville, TN and in her free time, enjoys spending time with her husband, Wes, and three children, Caroline, Kailey and Jacob.

Gina Peper

Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing + Operations

Melaina Jaudon

Corporate Director of Rate Strategy, Insights & Analytics

Melaina serves as the Corporate Sales & Revenue Analyst for North Point Hospitality. She is responsible for developing revenue management strategies and maintaining the overall sales revenue processes throughout all properties. A seasoned sales and revenue professional, she has extensive experience with both Hilton and Marriott brands. Melaina joined the company in 2009 and has served as director of sales for multiple North Point properties. She attended the University of Georgia, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. She and her husband, Chad are Savannah natives and are proud parents of their daughter, Rylee.

Melaina Jaudon

Corporate Director of Rate Strategy, Insights & Analytics

Molly Sundermann

Nashville Complex
Director of Sales

Molly Sundermann serves as the Complex Director of Sales for North Point Hospitality. She is responsible for overseeing the sales and revenue efforts for the AC Hotel, SpringHill Suites, and Residence Inn – Downtown Nashville, TN.

Molly joined the company in 2021, bringing 13 years of extensive sales experience with Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG brands.
She attended the University of South Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management.
Molly currently lives in Nashville, TN and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling abroad, and exploring new restaurants.

Molly Sundermann

Nashville Complex
Director of Sales

Stacy Sturgis

Savannah Area
Director of Sales

Stacy Sturgis serves as the Area Director of Sales for North Point Hospitality’s Savannah hotels, where she oversees the group sales efforts and contracts for the sales team. After joining North Point Hospitality in 2006 as a Sales and Catering Coordinator, she has served as Sales Manager, Director of Sales, and Director of Reservations. Having worked in almost all of the company’s hotels within the market, she has gained experience with both Hilton and Marriott brands and systems.

Stacy earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Valdosta State University and moved to Savannah shortly after graduating. She enjoys spending time with her two kids and volunteering as a Girl Scout Troop leader, which has allowed her to develop many new skills and discover her love of the outdoors.

Stacy Sturgis

Savannah Area
Director of Sales

Valencia Weston

Revenue & Inventory Coordinator

Valencia Weston currently serves as the Revenue and Inventory Coordinator at North Point Hospitality. Valencia joined the North Point team in 2007 as a Guest Service Associate. Since that time, Mrs. Weston has served as a F&B Supervisor, Assistant Front Office Manager, and Sales Coordinator, giving her over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

During Valencia’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children outdoors or playing board games.

Valencia Weston

Revenue & Inventory Coordinator

Meghan Broome

Marketing & Sales Coordinator

Meghan Broome serves as the Marketing and Sales Coordinator for North Point Hospitality, having joined the company in December 2021. Meghan supports marketing and sales for North Point as well as develops social media and web content.

A graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations, Meghan is just beginning her career in the hospitality industry. Being from Frankenmuth, MI, Meghan has several years of hospitality experience. Meghan currently lives in Nashville, TN and enjoys exploring Nashville and cooking.

Meghan Broome

Marketing & Sales Coordinator

Human Resources

Christy Shapard

Vice President of Human Resources

Christy serves as Vice President of Human Resources for North Point Hospitality and is responsible for ensuring a strategic and dynamic approach to the human resources needs of the organization. Christy has more than 15 years of human resource management experience. Prior to joining North Point in March 2018, she translated the HR function in the fields of banking, healthcare, higher education, and telecommunications.

Christy is a certified human resources professional who holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Richmond and a master’s Degree from Old Dominion University. She is a Savannah native and stays busy with the lives and interests of her four children.

Christy Shapard

Vice President of Human Resources

Carla Forbes

Corporate Director of Human Resources

Carla Forbes currently serves the Corporate Director of Human Resources, specializing in training and employee relations. She began her career with North Point Hospitality in 2009 as a front office manager for the DoubleTree Savannah Historic District and the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District, moving on to a human resources and accounting role. She has an extensive background in hospitality and has worked for several brands since attending East Carolina University. Carla and her husband, Lin, have lived in Savannah since 2009.

Carla Forbes

Corporate Director of Human Resources

General Managers


Felton Clark

SpringHill Suites Lumberton

Felton has always had the spirit to serve. His first hotel job was at the Hyatt Regency where he worked as a busboy, but always looked for the opportunity to advance. He served as a guest services agent at the front desk for two years before finding an opportunity to join North Point Hospitality.

He onboarded with North Point just one month after it opened the doors to its first Savannah property, the then Radisson Hotel. He took on a few roles from night manager to hotel trainer to front office manager over the next three years. He then served as dual front office manager after aiding in the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District. He served as assistant general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Midtown while preparing and opening the sister property, the Hampton Inn & Suites Savannah Midtown. Mr. Clark served as general manager to that hotel for eight years before relocating to the North Carolina area to serve as general manager of the Springhill Suites Lumberton.

Felton Clark

SpringHill Suites Lumberton

Bryan Cornelius

Homewood Suites Savannah Historic District

Bryan Cornelius joined North Point Hospitality 20 years ago and is currently the general manager of the Homewood Suites Savannah Historic District/Riverfront. During his tenure, Bryan has worked in several of North Point’s hotels in Savannah, four of which he was a part of the opening team as well as assuming his first general manager role at the age of 24.

In total, throughout his hotel career, he has assisted in the opening of seven hotels and two brand conversions – including four as general manager. Bryan currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Savannah Downtown Business Association (2021-2023) and Visit Savannah (2022-2024).

During his free time, Bryan enjoys traveling with his wife and two young children – preferably to sunny beach destinations.

Bryan Cornelius

Homewood Suites Savannah Historic District

Selina Gibbons

Quality Inn Savannah Historic District

Selina began her hospitality journey in 1997 as a housekeeper and breakfast hostess. In 2003, she was presented with the TLC Leadership Council Award for Excellent Service while working at the Hampton Inn Savannah Historic District. Selina joined our North Point Hospitality in 2013 and has worked multiple positions within the company, varying from front desk clerk, front office assistant, executive housekeeper and front office manager.

In 2018, Selina became the General Manger of the Quality Inn Savannah Historic District. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Selina exemplifies North Point’s “Serve from the Heart” proclamation, and uses her drive for hospitality and her energy to push her team to greatness. Her passion for providing exceptional hospitality services has qualified her as a valuable team member to the North Point family.

During her spare time, she values moments with her husband, children, and her menagerie of pets. Selina is active within her community by dedicating her services to volunteer organizations.

Selina Gibbons

Quality Inn Savannah Historic District

Paul Komanecky

DoubleTree Savannah Historic District

Paul Komanecky joined the North Point Hospitality team in September 2008 as the general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District. Since then, Paul opened the Fairfield Inn & Suites Savannah Midtown in 2016 before heading back downtown to serve, once again, as general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District. He now serves as the general manager of the DoubleTree Savannah Historic District. Paul took his first general manager position in 1980 and since then, has managed Choice, Holiday Inn, Jameson, Sheraton, and Hilton branded properties. He spent seven years with Kitchin Hospitality as a district manager as well.

He enjoys spending his free time with his wife, DeAnn, his two children, David and Lara, and his three grandchildren

Paul Komanecky

DoubleTree Savannah Historic District

Juan Mera

AC Hotel, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites Nashville Downtown Convention Center

Juan got his start in hospitality as a bellman at the Canyon Ranch Resort in Tucson, Arizona. From there, he was promoted to night auditor, desk agent, and then front office manager. Juan then moved on to work for Remington Hotels, where he served as a rooms division manager and sales manager. He then went to work for Meristar Hotels as a rooms manager at the Latham Hotel in Georgetown, and got his first general manager job at the Hampton Inn Atlanta Gwinnett.

Juan joined North Point Hospitality in 2004 and has served as the opening general manager at several current and former North Point hotels, including the SpringHill Suites Buckhead Atlanta, Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Midtown, Hilton Garden Inn Nashville Midtown and the Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites Atlanta Midtown, a dual-branded property opened in 2012. Juan has also served as the area general manager of the DoubleTree Savannah Historic District, the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District and the Quality Inn Savannah Historic District. He currently serves as general manager for the first tri-branded Marriott hotel in the country, the SpringHill Suites/Residence Inn/AC Hotel Nashville Downtown.

Juan is from Lima, Peru and enjoys traveling as much as he can and spending time with his wife, Harumi, and his family.

Juan Mera

AC Hotel, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites Nashville Downtown Convention Center

Jake Warner

Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District

Jake Warner is the General Manager for the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District. Jake first joined North Point Hospitality in 2009 as an executive chef after several years of fine dining experience. Since then, he has served as director of food and beverage before being promoted to the area director of food and beverage where he oversaw the food and beverage operations for three North Point hotels.
Jake has over 20 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two boys at the beach or out on the water.

Jake Warner

Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District