GREENVILLE, S.C., February 27, 2025 — With a people-first philosophy and a culture that inspires loyalty, Hospitality America is strategically selecting its leadership team to support growth, build market share, and stand out in some highly competitive markets. The Element by Westin Charleston Airport, Embassy Suites Greenville Downtown Riverplace, Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville Downtown Riverplace, and Home2Suites Asheville Airport have each named new executive hires, while the third-party management company rewards exceptional performance with a corporate director of revenue strategy promotion.
“Hospitality America takes great pride in its ability to drive results through an empowered and highly skilled workforce,” said Ben Campbell, Hospitality America CEO. “Attracting top talent is more challenging than ever. When we do, it’s our job as hospitality leaders to inspire loyalty, foster career growth, and reward our people for jobs well done. We are delighted to have attracted such an impressive group of hospitality professionals at the corporate and property levels. These professionals have dedicated their careers to mastering nearly every hotel department, all driven by a passion for exceptional guest service, creating a welcome atmosphere, and fostering guest loyalty. As our portfolio continues to grow, we remain dedicated to nurturing and continuously training our team to be their very best. That’s one of many things that sets Hospitality America apart from the rest.”
General Manager Excels at Opening Hotels
Hospitality America has selected 30-year hospitality veteran Jennifer Colangelo as General Manager of the Element by Westin Charleston Airport, scheduled to open in April 2025. Colangelo came to Hospitality America with a strong operations background, opening and managing hotels for companies such as Raines Hospitality and Premier Hospitality Group. Most recently she served as a Regional Director of Operations overseeing eight Hilton, Choice, Hyatt, Marriott and Best Western hotels in the Charleston area. She also dabbled as an entrepreneur, owning and operating two fitness centers in Charleston, earning her the title “Franchise Rookie of the Year” and becoming a Roc Award recipient.
“It is absolutely thrilling to be opening this new lifestyle hotel,” Colangelo said. “There is nothing more rewarding than hand-picking your team and watching them blossom. This hotel is destined for success. Not only is it the newest hotel among some very old assets (many of which have not been updated for five or more years), but its health and wellness concept is sure to appeal to modern travelers visiting Charleston. It’s exciting to see the level of investment that Hospitality America makes in its people and its technology, enabling them to stay light years ahead of their competition in terms of service and guest satisfaction. I am so eager to see this asset come to life.”
Sales Team Passionate About People
In December 2024, Kellie Hanselman joined Hospitality America as VP of Sales. Immediately, she began building a sales team that could deliver exceptional outcomes for the company’s partners, associates, and guests. As a result, the following sales executives have joined the company:
Shelby Sieg joins Colangelo at the Element by Westin Charleston Airport as Director of Sales. With 16 years in the hotel business, Sieg comes to Hospitality America with a diverse background. Most recently she has held various Director of Sales and Sales Account Manager roles with the Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport, Pittsburgh Marriott North, Ramada Inn Conference Center, and Vista Host Hotel Management. She also worked as Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at the Holiday Inn Monroeville in Pennsylvania, and Director of Services / Front Desk Manager at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center.
“When the opportunity presented itself to join Hospitality America, I jumped at the chance,” Sieg said. “From the first meeting I could see why it is on the USA Today list of ‘Best Places to Work.’ Everyone at this property is proud to work here. The culture is completely employee focused and it shows on everyone’s face. From the top down, people have been extremely welcoming and supportive – especially Jennifer Colangelo. She is the right person to lead the opening of this exciting, new, health-conscious hotel. I cannot wait for our doors to open so we can begin showcasing all we have to offer.”
With a diverse background in hotel sales, operations, catering and events, Renae Ouellette joins Hospitality America as Complex Director of Sales for the Embassy Suites Greenville Downtown Riverplace and the Hampton Inn & Suites Greenville Downtown Riverplace. She began her hospitality career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, serving as Director of Catering and Event Management, then moved on to Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants to direct the sales & catering operation for multiple properties, and most recently to Hilton Hotels where she served as Director of Catering and Events for The Conrad, Washington, D.C. Her passion for food and beverage continued, holding multiple sales positions with Luxury Caterers in Washington, D.C. She looks forward to bringing her years of D.C. hotel experience to Greenville and Hospitality America and becoming part of their growth.
“Hospitality is in my DNA,” Ouellette said. “Recently moving to Greenville, I was intrigued by this position and by Hospitality America; it is a company that I wanted to be a part of. It has a great culture and its leaders are hands on. My first day, President Ben Campbell came to my office and personally welcomed me into the family. That level of top-tier involvement rarely happens. It speaks to who he is as a leader. The entire organization is like that; they treat everyone with respect. Greenville is a great city with amazing people. I cannot wait to begin networking within the community, watching this hotel thrive, and helping Hospitality America level up its banquet and catering partnerships.”
An accomplished leader and talented entrepreneur, Shay Brown joins Home2Suites by Hilton Asheville Airport as Director of Sales. Adept at building high-performing teams, fostering strong client relationships, and implementing innovative strategies to maximize profitability, Brown comes to Home2Suites with an unconventional hospitality background. Most recently she owned Shay Brown Event Management where she spearheaded the development and implementation of event planning services for a diverse clientele. She also served as Resident VP, State Relations for CSX Transportation Inc. and as Executive Director of the Georgia State Transportation Board. She is adept at cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success. Her background brings a fresh perspective and untapped skills to this coveted hospitality sales position.
“This opportunity provides a unique chance to leverage my hospitality experience in a new and exciting way,” Brown said. “After fulfilling a 25-year entrepreneurial journey here in Asheville, I was seeking a role where I can contribute to a strong team. The reputation of Hospitality America for excellence is something I deeply admire, and I am confident I can make a significant contribution. The team-focused environment is incredibly refreshing, and the robust support system and detailed training program demonstrates a clear investment in employee growth and success. The Home2Suites Airport is a hidden gem within our region. I am eager to begin contributing to Hospitality America’s corporate and group objectives, and being a problem solver, helping wherever I am needed.”
Revenue Director Rewarded for Stellar Performance
After serving for 2.5 years as Director of Revenue Strategy, Meghan Macaulay was promoted to Corporate Director of Revenue Strategy, now leading a team of revenue strategists and analysts and taking full responsibility for all revenue strategy decisions. Her expertise and leadership will be instrumental in driving the continued success and growth of Hospitality America. Prior to joining the company, Macaulay served as Corporate Revenue Manager for Uniwest Hospitality. She also held numerous roles as Assistant General Manager, Front Office Manager, Assistant Front Office Manager, Executive Housekeeper and Assistant Executive Housekeeper for the Hilton Garden Inn Woodbridge, Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo (NY) Downtown, and Hyatt Hotels Corp. respectively. She holds revenue management certifications from HSMAI, AHLA, and Cornell Unniversity.
“From a very young age I knew that I wanted to go into hospitality; making a career out of traveling and being of service to others really appealed to me,” Macaulay said. “Attending college for hotel management, I worked my way through various operational management roles and departments and finally found my home in revenue strategy. Hospitality America drew me in with opportunities – to learn and grow in my expertise, to help affect change in different markets, and to be mentored as well as to mentor others. Working for this company has given me the ability to thrive. It has opened my eyes to new ways of strategizing across multiple segments and multiple markets while creating synergy across all our departments. It is truly an honor to be guiding our commercial strategies across all Hospitality America properties.”
About Hospitality America
Hospitality America is a leading third-party hotel development and management company and is the preferred partner of Hilton and Marriott. The company optimizes the hospitality experience through proprietary methodologies that align people, processes, and results, driving exceptional performance for our guests, team members, and partners. Hospitality America’s clients include REITs, private equity firms and major developers. Hospitality America is recognized as a winner of USA Today’s Top Workplaces 2024 award. For more information, please visit www.hospitalityamerica.com or connect with Hospitality America on LinkedIn.
Barb WorcesterOwner, President at PRPRO14409305770Hospitality America
