Our Leadership Team

Rob Smith, a seasoned leader in the hospitality industry, brings a wealth of experience to Stonebridge Companies. With a career spanning nearly 30 years, he has held key positions with several hospitality organizations. Most recently, he served as Division President for Aimbridge Hospitality. During his 12-year tenure at Aimbridge, he was instrumental in the growth of the full-service, luxury, and resort portfolio. 

Prior to that, he spent almost two decades in the Caribbean, where he held positions at several large resort properties and served the island of Aruba as President and CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and Aruba Convention Bureau. His leadership journey also includes successful stints as General Manager of several large resorts in the United States and the Caribbean. Mr. Smith also currently serves on the AHLA Board of Directors, Marriott Rooms Advisory Board, and the Westin Brand Advisory Board.

 

C.J. Chapman has joined Stonebridge Companies as General Counsel. He will provide in-house legal advice for Stonebridge and oversee the firm's risk management group.

C.J. is a Denver native and brings nearly two decades of experience as a general counsel and shareholder. Most recently, he served as general counsel to Elevation Capital, a venture fund based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

He previously served as executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary to BellRock Brands Inc., a publicly traded company on the Canadian Securities Exchange, which he took public in November 2018.  Prior to that role, Chapman was a shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, where he practiced in its real estate and corporate departments.

C.J. is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Mark Hays joined Stonebridge Companies in November 2020 as Chief Accounting Officer. He is responsible for strategic accounting operations over the entire hotel portfolio. Mark has over 35 years of hospitality experience including nearly 15 years with Two Roads Hospitality/Destination Hotels where he served as Chief Financial Officer from 2013 to 2019.

Mark was a key player in the merger between Destination Hotels and Commune Hotels, which became Two Roads Hospitality, and played a key strategic role in the successful sale of Two Roads, to Hyatt Hotels. Prior to Two Roads, Mark served as Corporate Controller and Regional Controller for Sage Hospitality from 2000 to 2005. Mark also previously served as General Manager of the Embassy Suites Denver Tech Center and Holiday Inn Garden of The Gods, with Meristar Hotels. Mark holds an MBA and Bachelor of Science in Financial Accounting from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Hailing from Wichita, Kansas where he attended Friends University and chased storms, Chris Cheney has been in the hospitality industry for 25 years and has held management roles in the areas of hotel operations and revenue management with independent and branded hotels. Cheney joined Stonebridge Companies in 2007 as a General Manager in Anchorage, Alaska.

He relocated with Stonebridge in 2009 to Denver, Colorado to open and operate the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Cherry Creek as General Manager before joining the corporate team in 2011 as Director of Revenue Management. Since then, he has served as the Vice President of Revenue Management, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Analytics, and Senior Vice President of Commercial Services.  In his new role as Executive Vice President of Commercial Services, Chris will lead the company's Sales and Marketing, Revenue Management, Digital, and Business Intelligence teams through a period of dynamic growth and strategic innovation.  

Cheney's current and past industry service and advocacy includes HSMAI Americas Board, HSMAI Greater Denver Chapter President, Denver Tourism Improvement District President Elect, Marriott Franchise Revenue Management Advisory Board, Anchorage Commuter Rail Coalition, AHLA Consumer Disclosure Task Force, and numerous Customer Advisory Boards for key technology partners.

Lee Palaschak, a seasoned leader in the hospitality industry, brings extensive operational expertise to Stonebridge Companies. With 35 years of experience, he has a proven track record of driving organizational growth and leading high-performing operations. Before joining Stonebridge, Lee served as Senior Vice President at Remington Hospitality, where he managed their diverse platform. Over his five-year tenure, he played a key role in expanding and optimizing the operations of their portfolio, which included both full-service and select-service brands, as well as luxury and lifestyle properties.​

Throughout his career, Lee has held various senior roles, including General Manager, Regional Vice President, and Senior Vice President at Winegardner & Hammons and Commonwealth Hotels. He spent over 13 years at Aimbridge Hospitality as Vice President & Senior Vice President, significantly contributing to the growth of their third-party management platform in both branded and independent sectors. Lee has over 20 years of experience in multi-unit operations with leading hotel brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and several independent hotels.​

In addition to his operational roles, Lee has served on advisory boards for major brands and local Convention & Visitor Bureaus. He is also committed to giving back, participating in annual charity events with the Salvation Army, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and S.M. Wright in the Dallas area.

Kelli joins Stonebridge with over 20 years of Human Resources experience. She began her career as a Human Resources Director in the retail industry, after graduating from Pennsylvania State University. She is well versed in leading multisite teams successfully in areas of associate engagement, training, and talent acquisition. Kelli has supported hotels in the United States, the Caribbean, and Canada and has assisted in the opening of many hotels across the US. 

Nasim Mansurov has over 20 years of proven top-level management experience in Information Technology, with a strong emphasis in ERP, hotel IT management, ISP management, telecommunications and infrastructure, datacenter management, project management, software development, virtualization and hosting. Currently serving as the Vice President of Information Technology, Mr. Mansurov oversees all aspects of the company's technology, current and emerging, as well as Telecom.

He is responsible for strategic evaluation of new systems that are proposed for the company and for providing technical training and support to all hotels. Mr. Mansurov fluently speaks four languages and received numerous awards and scholarships in the past. He earned his B.S. degree in Management and Marketing from University of Colorado, Boulder.

Sanjay brings world class experience and boundless optimism to his role. He manages key owner relations across the Stonebridge Companies' portfolio as well as some of the most high-profile assets in New York City. His vast market experience has included New York, Kentucky, Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. He also leads our extensive Marriott portfolio's best practice sharing program to enhance guest experience.

Sanjay champions the RHG Core Values through his leadership of the regional operations team in the New York office and drives operational excellence through evaluation, assessment, and action. Sanjay has an MBA from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and received his bachelor's degree from St. Stephen's College in New Delhi. He also earned a Hotel Real Estate Investment & Asset Management certification from eCornell. Sanjay is an active outreach participant for RHG's Real Cares Program. He leads fundraising contingents for ECPAT and various cancer and hunger organizations as well as volunteering his time in New Jersey community kitchens.

Marco Selva has joins Stonebridge Companies as the Senior Vice President of Operations and Business Development. Selva will focus on expanding Stonebridge's luxury, lifestyle and resort portfolio in the Southeastern United States, Caribbean, and Latin America and will open a Miami office. 

Before joining Stonebridge, Selva held senior roles in business development, operations and strategy at top-tier hospitality firms, including Starwood Hotels Hotels & Resorts, Highgate, Ennismore, and luxury brands such as St Regis and Ritz Carlton. His deep understanding of the global luxury and lifestyle segments and extensive experience in the Caribbean and Latin America will assist in growing Stonebridge's portfolio.

Louis Llach is responsible for operational oversite while also spearheading business development projects in targeted markets.  Previously serving as Regional Director of Operations for the Company, Louis brings more than 25 years of experience to his position. 

In his previous experience, Lou held senior leadership roles for Highgate Hotels, TPG Hotels & Resorts, and Helmsley Enterprises.  Louis collaborates closely with his brand counterparts in operations, sales, and revenue management to consistently lead hotels to exceptional performance by focusing on top-line revenues to drive profitability, market penetration, brand development, and associate and guest satisfaction.  Louis has an excellent track record of leading diverse teams that achieve superior results that ensure the owner and brand's visions are in complete alignment.  Louis attended the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University.  

With over 25 years sales leadership experience, Chad is a highly experienced, results-driven leader with a proven track record of driving superior market share and increasing RevPAR in competitive markets. Responsible for sales strategy and innovation associated with the on-going operations of the Stonebridge Companies portfolio, Chad's combination of sales and marketing expertise translates into efficient and profitable results. 

Prior to joining Stonebridge Companies, Chad served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for HRI Hospitality, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Remington Hospitality, Vice President of Sales for Aim bridge Hospitality, and held a variety of leadership positions with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.

Lourdes' exceptional Sales and Marketing experience forms the foundation of her illustrious career spanning more than 25 years, where she has consistently demonstrated adept leadership across diverse teams. Her expertise in sales and marketing and her proficiency in contract negotiations and account management are always geared toward delivering tangible results. Her passion lies in talent development, as evidenced by her commitment to cultivating enduring partnerships.   As a seasoned professional, Lourdes boasts an extensive background encompassing independents, resorts, new builds, and branded hotels, enabling her to approach challenges comprehensively. Her exceptional leadership and mentorship skills have played a pivotal role in shaping her success, earning her prestigious accolades for transforming sales teams to exceed goals while nurturing top-tier sales leaders. 

Before rejoining Stonebridge Companies, Lourdes' impactful tenure as a Regional Vice President at a notable hospitality management company, she spearheaded the elevation of their New York City portfolio by centralizing the sales force, a testament to her visionary approach. Lourdes attended Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, NJ earning a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing and Economics.

Bryan Edwards joined Stonebridge Companies in 2021 as VP, Food & Beverage, Strategic Sourcing, and Retail.  In his role, he leads food & beverage and retail operations, and manages continuous improvement in Stonebridge Companies supply chain and procurement strategies.  Prior to joining Stonebridge Companies, Bryan has held a number of executive leadership roles in the Restaurant, Hotel, Casino and Nightlife industries. 

Matt Friend serves as Vice President of Risk Management for Stonebridge Companies. He is responsible for minimizing risk to the company by leading the company's risk management strategy, negotiating insurance programs, managing claims, implementing loss prevention programs and administering contract protocols.

He has over 23 years experience in the hospitality industry, most recently serving almost nine years as Director of Risk Management for Red Robin International. Mr. Friend is Past President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Board of Directors and is an Affiliate Faculty member at Regis University, College of Professional Studies in Denver, CO. Matt earned his Master's of Science in Management from Regis University and his Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) certification.

Kate Hembree joined Stonebridge in 2019 and was selected for her role as VP, Controller of Stonebridge Corporation In 2021.  As VP, Controller Kate oversees the Accounting functions for the Stonebridge hotel portfolio.  Prior to Stonebridge, Kate spent much of her career working for Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Finance at multiple locations.  Kate holds a Bachelors of Science in Finance with a minor in Restaurant Resort Management from Colorado State University. 
 

Jeff's hospitality career spans more than 20 years in on-property and corporate roles. In 2013, he joined Stonebridge Companies, where his commitment to guest satisfaction and creating inviting atmospheres has shaped his service-oriented career.  Jeff held positions in the corporate office as Revenue Manager, Director of Revenue Management, and Associate Vice President of Revenue Management before being promoted to Vice President of Revenue Management in 2023.

Jeff's excellence in the field was recognized when he received the Outstanding Corporate Associate Award from Stonebridge Companies in 2017. He has further honed his expertise by earning the Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) recognition from HSMAI and completing the Hotel Revenue Management Certification from eCornell.  Beyond his career achievements, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors in the beauty of Colorado.

Alina's journey in hospitality began in 2006 when she embarked on a graduate internship in Hotel Operations in Ocean City, MD. Over the next decade, she honed her skills and expertise, progressively assuming management roles and distinguishing herself as a capable leader. She notably held positions as a general manager for various Marriott and IHG branded select service hotels, gaining invaluable experience in running successful hotel operations.

With her dedication, hard work, and innate talent for revenue management, she was recognized for her potential and entrusted with leading roles in the revenue management department. Under her guidance, the company's revenue management strategies have thrived, contributing to the overall success and growth of the organization.

Alina's academic qualifications have also played a significant role in shaping her career trajectory. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Geography and Tourism and a Master's degree in Management of Human Resources, both earned from the esteemed Babes-Bolyai University in Romania.

Andrea began her career in accounting before pivoting to treasury and finding her true passion. In her nearly 20 years of treasury experience, Andrea has held positions at several publicly traded REITS, private equity firms, and S&P Global. She is responsible for debt and liquidity management across the portfolio. 

Andrea holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Denver, and an MBA with an emphasis in Finance and Accounting.

Jamie joined Stonebridge Companies in May, 2023. As Vice President of Business Development, he is responsible for growing the company's third-party management presence, through the signing of HMAs and strategic M&A. He is also responsible for delivering on Stonebridge's owner relations efforts.

Jamie has been in the hospitality industry for eight years, in a variety of investment & feasibility, development, retention, and real-estate roles while at Radisson Hotel Group (formerly Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group) and Choice Hotels. Prior to Radisson, Jamie was in wealth management for ten years. Jamie received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. 

David Wahba joined Stonebridge in 2025.  He has spent the last 20+ years leading the sales teams at some of the biggest hotels and best brands in Florida, the Southeast and the Caribbean including Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Starwood, Hilton and Waldorf Astoria. His journey to Stonebridge is an exciting next step in his career as he looks forward to being a part of the future growth of the company.  

Kathy has over 20 years of experience in the marketing & digital strategy disciplines. Her extensive experience spans multiple industries and verticals, giving her a unique and broad perspective on effective digital strategy tactics. Having joined Stonebridge Companies in 2021, Kathy has directly driven tens of millions of dollars in topline revenue growth to portfolio hotels. Kathy is an active member in HSMAI and a  holder of the Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer designation.​

With over 20 years in the industry, Dena has held roles in the hospitality digital marketing space since 2009. Her background in hotel sales and operations enhances her ability to understand a property's pain points and needs when deploying marketing solutions. Technology-minded and not afraid to take risks, she has helped multiple management companies evolve their digital footprint. Dena sits on the HSMAI Ohio Chapter Board and has been a founding member of multiple pioneering hotel brand committees for digital marketing. 

Navin Dimond is the founder of Stonebridge Companies. As Chairman of the Board, he leads the company's strategic direction while fostering innovation and growth. In 2007, Mr. Dimond received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Real Estate and Hospitality for the Rocky Mountain Region. Mr. Dimond is also the recipient of the Award of Excellence from the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, the Hotelier of the Year Award from the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association and the prestigious Hilton Hotels Multi-Brand Developer of the Year Award. In 2013, Stonebridge Companies received the coveted Marriott Partnership Circle Award, granted to Franchisees for their excellence in hospitality and exemplary commitment to future growth. 

Indicative of his expertise, Mr. Dimond maintains an advisory role for a wide variety of organizations. Currently, Navin sits on the Franchise Advisory Council for Renaissance Hotels and Marriott's Residence Inn Advisory Board (TRIA Board) and the American Hotel Lodging Association (AHLA) Board of Directors. Equally noteworthy, he has long been an active member of the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association (CH&LA), leading the organization as Chairman in 2003. As a testament to his contributions, Navin was inducted into the CH&LA Hall of Fame in 2008. 

A strong advocate for the transformative power of education, Mr. Dimond serves on the Washington State University College of Engineering and Architecture Executive Leadership Board, Cornell University's Dean's Advisory Board for the Nolan School of Hotel Administration as well as a Trustee for the University of Denver.

Involvement in the community is equally important to Mr. Dimond, as a chair of the board for the Denver branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau (VISIT DENVER) and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Through his work, Navin continually endeavors to enrich and improve our great city. 

Mr. Dimond is a graduate of Washington State University where he earned his B.A. in Business Administration and his B.S. in Construction Management. He earned his MBA in Real Estate and Construction Management from the University of Denver.

Ben founded the Real Hospitality Group before joining the Stonebridge Companies' team as Principal and a member of the firm's Board of Directors. He will contribute his deep experience to help grow and scale the combined company's presence throughout the country.  In addition to his company responsibilities, he further serves the hospitality industry as an Executive Committee member for both the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Maryland Lodging Association and serves as a steering committee member of NYC & Co, one of the nation's top destination marketing organizations for the city of New York. 

He received his PhD in Business and Economics, Hospitality from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore Campus. Additionally, Ben is a member of the Society of Fellows for the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Pointe, NY. He is a founding member of the Hospitality Management degree program at the Central Connecticut University as well as the chair of the University of West Virginia's School of Hospitality Management and teaches regularly there. Additionally, he serves as guest speaker supporting the Master's degree program in Hospitality Asset Management at the Florida International University in Miami.

Steve Kakaty joined Stonebridge Companies in August 2022.  As Chief Investment Officer, Steve is responsible for leading the company's real estate acquisitions platform.  Steve has over 16 years of experience in the real estate industry, including nearly 14 years with Rockwood Capital where he served as a Director of Acquisitions and Asset Management with a primary focus on the hospitality sector.  Prior to Rockwood, Steve was an appraiser at Cushman & Wakefield.  Steve received a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration.