Our Team

Bill

Chief Operations Officer

Bill drives our technical and financial infrastructure. Bill is also focused on making sure our company’s strategic initiatives are always moving forward. His and Toni’s dynamic personalities and creative business approaches are what makes Jacaruso Enterprises continue to grow and prosper, while never losing sight of the most important people in the mix; Our clients! When not in the office, Bill can be found at the surf park in Austin or in Costa Rica riding waves – the stoke is on and the dream is real!

Katherine

Senior Director of Operations

For over 25+ years, Katherine has been a powerhouse in hospitality, specializing in sales and marketing. Her career is defined by a commitment to not just meet but exceed expectations, setting new revenue milestones for her hotels. With a knack for cultivating client relationships, Katherine builds trust and loyalty effortlessly. This talent is complemented by her ability to create and execute strategic business plans that have resulted in unprecedented success for her hotel portfolio.  Katherine’s expertise spans a variety of brands including Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Starwood, Radisson and Choice.

In her current role, Katherine is fueled by her passion for nurturing talent and empowering her team. She finds fulfillment in witnessing their growth and achievements. Outside of work, Katherine’s spirit for adventure comes to life in her love for travel, shared with her husband and daughter. Though now calling South Florida home, her heart stays true to her New Jersey roots, cheering on and being loyal to the NY Jets and Mets.

LaShonda

Senior Director of Operations

LaShonda was born and raised in St. Louis, MO (Go Cards!) where she began her hospitality career at a Hampton Inn. She’s worked with Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites and Marriott brands. Sales is her passion and her extensive experience in Revenue Management gives her a great competitive edge. For fun, LaShonda loves reading, baseball, traveling and shopping.

Chelsea

Director of Operations

Chelsea brings over 14 years of hospitality experience to the Jacaruso leadership team. Jumping into the industry shortly after graduating from Texas Tech with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Chelsea’s first hotel position was as a front desk associate. She quickly transitioned into sales, helping to open a new Marriott property, and further developing her expertise by working with Hilton brands. In her current role, Chelsea enjoys collaborating with our sales team and strategizing with hotel partners to make them more profitable.

When Chelsea isn’t managing her team of RDOS, owner relationships or external partners, you can find her spending time with her husband, who is also a Hotel General Manager. Or, toting around 3 active daughters, shuffling them between their soccer, musical theater, piano, or swimming activities. Chelsea also loves spending time with her a dog, Crockett, camping, scuba diving, and traveling. She hopes to plan a dream vacation to Europe someday since she’s never been.

Donna

Director of Brand Relations

Raised in Missouri but couldn’t get to Texas fast enough.  Donna is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Hospitality degree and more than 32 years of hotel experience in both focused and full-service properties.  She brings knowledge of Radisson, Marriott, IHG and Hilton branded hotels in both General Manager and Director of Sales roles.  Winning awards and client’s hearts along the way, she enjoys helping hotels fill those shoulder nights.

Donna met her husband of 32 years in college and together they have raised two busy boys now entering college themselves.  In her spare time, she loves planning that next family trip to a place they have never visited.

Lori

Regional Director of Sales

Lori has worked in the hospitality industry for 23 years in positions including, General Manager, Operation’s Manager, Director of Sales and Regional Director of Sales. Her brand expertise includes Choice Hotels International, IHG, Best Western, Wyndham as well as independent brands.  She is a true expert in her field and specializes in profit generation and customer relations. Lori lives in mile-high city and is married with three children. In her spare-time she enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with family and friends.

Becca

Regional Director of Sales

Becca is the other “Southern Belle” of the JE Team. She has been in the sales industry for over 8 years. She has worked with brands such as Hilton, Marriott, Choice and IHG. She genuinely and authentically cares about all of her clients and believes every staff member is a valuable asset. In her free time Becca enjoys hiking, spending time with her fiancé and working out. Becca resides in Lexington, KY.

Patty

Regional Director of Sales

Patty began her journey in the hotel industry when she was 18 years old and hasn’t looked back since. She has held may positions within the operational and sales side of many brands and is well versed in the culture of Hilton. Aside from being a former General Manager, she is an expert in the SMERF Market, Catering Departments and Corporate sectors. Her Canadian background makes her a friend to all and combines well with her competitive attitude and upbeat customer-oriented persona. Patty resides in Birmingham, MI with her husband and has a 3-Year-old Brittany Spaniel, Oakley and LOVES Orange Theory Fitness.

Bill

Regional Director of Sales

Bill’s career is a family affair as his entire family has worked in the hotel industry. Bill was raised at the Broadmoor Hotel where he fell in love with industry. During his 24-year professional career he has worked across several different brands ranging from IHG, Choice, Sheraton and Wyndham. Bill has a wide range of expertise ranging from Food and Beverage, Operations as well as Sales and Marketing and has served on the Regional Advisory Board for CHOC. His passion is helping people achieve their dreams in the industry we love. Bill loves to mentor other hospitality professionals to meet today’s challenges. When he is not busy helping his properties achieve their goals he is spending time with his wife and 2 children as well as their 5 dogs.

Ann

Regional Director of Sales

Ann is a seasoned hotel sales professional with over 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Her extensive training in account saturation, prospecting and relationship building has given Ann the edge needed to sell in every market segment, often resulting in big wins for her hotels. Ann demonstrates an unwavering commitment to hospitality, and has managed many sales teams for IHG, Choice, Marriott and Hilton full-service and limited-service properties.

When not hustling for her hotels, you can find Ann with her husband, two daughters and two rescue Cane Corso pups living their best lives in a small town in Ohio. Ann is a true Buckeye who spends her free time cheering on Ohio State. She enjoys traveling to the beach, Walt Disney World and watching her girls dance either at the studio or in a competition.

Wilks

Regional Director of Sales

After traveling the world in the US Air Force and attending college, Wilks began his career in the hospitality industry nearly 9 years ago. He has experience working with multiple brands, in both select service and full service properties, and has always been known for his attention to detail, persistent drive to generate revenue and dedication to building great, lasting, relationships with his clients. In his first year as a Director of Sales, he more than tripled the annual revenue generated in previous years, and he always strives to consistently provide increases in revenue and market share for his hotels, through focused prospecting, market analysis, and always being attentive to the needs of his clients. His primary area of expertise is in Corporate and Government sales, but he also has extensive experience working with the Entertainment industry – particularly film and television productions.

Wilks lives with his wife and young son in a home they designed and build on forty-four acres of beautiful wooded land about fifteen miles outside of Baton Rouge, LA. When he isn’t working, Wilks loves to spend his lime fishing, woodworking, collecting fine wines and rare knives, shopping for antiques, cooking gourmet meals and attempting to bake, and growing a variety of hot peppers in his garden, which he uses to make his own hot sauces.

Raleih

Regional Director of Sales

Raleih is a passionate sales leader with over 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. As a proud University of Kentucky alum, Raleih is results driven & customer focused. Raleih is an expert at finding the right piece of business by building relationships and finding creative solutions to keep her hotels both profitable and successful. With extensive experience with limited service and extended stay Marriott brands, covering need times with projects is her expertise.

When Raleih isn’t driving results for her hotels, she is at home cooking new recipes, painting and relaxing outside with her husband Jamie, daughter Lucy & Pomeranian Malu.

Michele

Regional Director of Sales

Michele is a seasoned sales leader with 20+ years of hospitality experience. Michele thrives on building relationships and prospecting for new business in tough markets which has helped her open new hotels, perform taskforce sales and most recently, manage a 25-hotel portfolio. While her career began at 52-room boutique hotel and catering venue, Michele’s extensive experience comes from Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and Best Western. In her spare time, Michele is part mermaid. You can often find her in the water paddling, snorkeling, or swimming. When she’s not in the water, you can find her above water kayaking, sitting by the lake or on the beach. Michele lives by her mantra “find something beautiful in every day”. She has been happily married for 30 years, is a mom to three adult children and “Mimi” 2 adorable grandsons.

Jill

Regional Director of Sales

Jill has been a sales & marketing guru for 15+ years in the hospitality industry. Known for her exceptional customer service and dedication to client needs, Jill’s experience spans a multitude of segments including full service, luxury, select service, extended stay and National Sales. As a goal-driven salesperson, Jill thrives in fast pasted environments in both her work and personal life. When Jill’s not working, you can find her shuttling her 2 kids from the hockey rink or lacrosse field, training her puppy Lola, or spending time with her husband. Jill currently resides in Baltimore where she was born and raised. If you can’t find her there, check the beach where you can find her in the water shredding waves on a jet ski or soaking in the sun.

Desiree

Web Research Analyst

With over 15 years of experience in customer service and management, Desiree is a detail-oriented expert known for her analytical depth and ability to seamlessly manage multiple projects at Jacaruso Enterprises. Her inquisitive mind and fresh perspective fuel her passion for uncovering insights that drive success and foster dynamic team environments.

Desiree’s exceptional communication skills and authentic approach make her a trusted collaborator and a natural leader. Whether she’s diving into data or brainstorming new strategies, she brings energy, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence.

Outside of work, Desiree is a music enthusiast and a collector of fun, quirky, and useful facts. She also enjoys hitting the gym—especially when it involves lifting weights.