Aimbridge Executive Team

Les Bentley has over 35 years of experience in the hotel industry.  He has proven expertise in leading successful executive teams, negotiating and supervising management/consulting contracts and delivering expected profits to the bottom line.

Before founding Aimbridge Hospitality, he was President of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. He led the brand and operations of all Wyndham divisions including Wyndham Hotels, Wyndham Resorts, Wyndham Grand Heritage Hotels and Wyndham Garden Hotels which encompassed over 200 properties with 45,000 rooms and more than 25,000 employees.  Bentley has long been synonymous with Wyndham and helped guide the brand’s growth from just a handful of hotels into one of the nation’s leading upscale hotel and resort brands.

Prior to joining Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Bentley spent eight years with Marriott Hotels in Chicago, Austin, and Denver. In 1985 his career led him to Wyndham where he served as Vice President of Operations. In 1989, Bentley became Partner in the Wyndham Hotel Management Company, only to move up again in 1990 as President of the Wyndham Garden Hotel division.  In 1997, he was named the Chief Operating Officer for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, where he was responsible for all hotels operating under the Wyndham brand.

Mr. Bentley has a B.S. degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Penn St. University.  Bentley serves on the Hilton Owners Council for the Embassy Suites Brand Advisory Board.

Dave Johnson oversees the management of Aimbridge’s entire portfolio consisting of over 185 hotels and over $650 million in annual revenue.  Through his dedication and leadership, Aimbridge is already being recognized as one of the fastest growing hotel management companies in the United States. Aimbridge Hospitality’s portfolio includes assets under ownership and management from Marriott, Hilton, Starwood and Hyatt Hotels.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, he spent 17 years at Wyndham International helping them grow from 10 hotels to over 200 at the time of his departure.  While at Wyndham, Johnson served in various capacities including Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer and President of Wyndham Hotels, overseeing approximately 15,000 employees and responsible for approximately 1.5 billion dollars in annual revenue.

Mr. Johnson received his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Business Economics, graduating with highest honors.  Mr. Johnson currently serves on several Boards of Directors including: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Meeting Professionals International, and Active International, and was recently on the Board of Directors for Gaylord Entertainment (GET-NYSE).  Johnson serves on the Hilton Owners Council, is Chairman of the Doubletree Brand Advisory Board and was most recently named to Starwood’s Real Estate Development Advisory Board.  In 2003, he was named as one of the 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales & Marketing by HSMAI.

Judy Hendrick joined Aimbridge in 2008 and has 22 years of hospitality experience.  She is responsible for the company's debt and equity capital sourcing and structuring for acquisitions, development and redevelopment of hotels, and management of the financial, cash management and real estate aspects of all properties and partnerships.  Ms. Hendrick plays a key role in guiding Aimbridge's investment and business development strategies.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Ms. Hendrick served in several senior management positions with Wyndham International during her successful 16-year tenure, including Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer.  Her 28 years of experience in finance and real estate also include positions with major financial institutions such as Chase Manhattan, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and First Republic Bank.  She has provided financial advisory services to select corporate clients, including commercial portfolio management for major public real estate investment trusts.

Ms. Hendrick holds a B.S. degree from Kansas State University and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Texas at Dallas.  She currently serves on several Boards including: The Leadership Exchange (New York); and Dallas Chamber of Commerce Executive Women's Roundtable.

Robert Burg has been with Aimbridge since 2003 and has 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry.  Burg is responsible for the overall operations, performance, owner relations and capital planning for all of the properties in the Aimbridge portfolio.  In addition, he oversees the relationship and implementation of over 32 different national hotel brands.  His extensive experience and industry knowledge provide the foundation for the company’s core strength of producing superior results at top and bottom line.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Burg was most recently the Senior Vice President of Operations for Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.  While at Wyndham, Burg’s operational experience included luxury, full service, select service and extended stay.  Burg was also the Sr. Vice President for the Summerfield Suites brand.  He led the entire chain of the Summerfield Suites brand in operations, development, and revenue for the upscale, extended-stay product. Among many of his accomplishments during his tenure, he created and implemented specific sales strategies that enabled the portfolio to increase market share and revenues.

Mr. Burg has a degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America.  He currently serves on Hilton’s Operations Advisory Board for Embassy Suites and Starwood’s Owner Advisory Boards for Sheraton Hotels and Aloft and Element Hotels.  Burg is also on the Board of Directors for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Vince Cuce has over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has been with Aimbridge since 2003.  As Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Asset Management for Aimbridge Hospitality, Cuce oversees the company’s portfolio, real estate and asset management and receivership.    Cuce ensures that revenues are maximized, and that the optimum level of return is achieved.  His responsibilities include stabilizing the operation immediately, which is critical during the receivership process, communication and reporting to both the courts and the servicer.  He reviews and assesses all property operators, historical capital expenditures, and identifies immediate opportunities to increase profits. 

Before becoming Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Asset Management, Cuce was Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer, where he held responsibility for all financial and accounting functions for both Aimbridge and its managed properties.

He developed, implemented and maintained financial controls and policies that streamlined the financial communications for Aimbridge. He also managed operating and capital budgets, and communication with outside owners.
Prior to joining Aimbridge, Cuce was most recently with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts as Vice President – Controller.  He has extensive experience in both operations and accounting functions.  Before his tenure with Wyndham, Cuce spent 12 years with ITT Sheraton at various levels in both property and the corporate accounting areas.

Michael Johnson joined Aimbridge in 2011 and has 21 years of experience in finance and accounting.  Johnson is responsible for treasury operations, cash management, short term and long term financial planning for corporate and managed properties, debt and equity capital sourcing, structuring and due diligence for acquisitions.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Mr. Johnson served in several mid and senior level management positions with AT&T during his successful 13-year tenure, including Assistant Vice President External Reporting, Executive Director Financial Planning, and Executive Director Financial Reporting and Director Finance and Accounting. His experience in finance and accounting also include positions with United Airlines, Montgomery Wards, Servicemaster and Advocate Healthcare.

Mr. Johnson holds a B.S. and M.B.A. degrees in Finance and Accounting from Northern Illinois University.  He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Michael Grant joined Aimbridge in 2007 and has over 25 years of accounting experience, 19 of which is in the hospitality industry.  Grant is responsible for the company's operational accounting including financial statement preparation, accounts payable, payroll, tax compliance and internal controls for all the hotels under management.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Grant served for 9 years with Wyndham International, leading a number of major company-wide initiatives during his tenure, including implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley processes, training and testing; implementation of SAP as the accounting platform for the company and 180 of its hotels and resorts.  He also oversaw Wyndham’s central accounting department, responsible for the preparation of financial statements for 100 of the company’s owned and managed hotels. Grant’s experience includes audit and accounting positions with KPMG, ClubCorp and other smaller real estate and asset management companies.

Mr. Grant holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's in business administration from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Tom Kenney joined Aimbridge in 2007 bringing 45 years of hospitality experience to the company.  Kenney not only provides strategic direction for Aimbridge’s corporate image, but also directs the overall sales and marketing efforts for the company’s entire portfolio. Kenney’s in–depth industry knowledge, sales skills, and excellent people skills are instrumental in building loyal relationship with nationwide customers and company-wide business partners.

Kenney has over 25 years of experience in the hotel industry, most recently with The Procaccianti Group (TPG) as Regional Vice President of Sales.  In this role, he directed overall sales efforts for TPG during a period of unprecedented growth from 25 to 57 hotels, while improving performance and revenues and reducing cost of sales by 31%, or $2.3M.  Kenney was also instrumental in facilitating sales and marketing brand conversion initiatives of numerous properties.  Before his tenure with TPG, Kenney served in various sales managerial positions in both national and regional level divisions of Wyndham International.  During his successful 18-year career with Wyndham, Kenney implemented a systemic framework of sales tools, processes, priorities, and measurements across all hotels in a 10–state Eastern region, Caribbean resorts, and Canadian hotels constituting up to 64% of room revenue.  Kenney also conceptualized and created the Business Transient Sales National Sales Organization in 1996 while with Wyndham.

Mr. Kenney holds a B.S.B.A from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH.

Lynne Roberts joined Aimbridge in 2004 and has 25 years of hospitality experience.  Roberts is responsible for overseeing acquisition, management and development activities.  Her industry knowledge, experience and expertise have helped drive Aimbridge’s significant growth from eight to over 180 properties.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Roberts worked with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts for over 10 years as Vice President of Development Planning.  While at Wyndham, she led acquisition, new construction, management contracts, and conversion analysis.  In 1997, she created and directed start-up company development for HomeGate Hospitality, an extended-stay group. There she contributed to achieving private to public company status and a successful company sale within two years of conception.  Prior to her tenure at Wyndham/Homegate, Roberts led real estate analysis for Sheraton Suites Development in the Central United States and Canada.  She was also a Hospitality consultant with Pannell Kerr Forster (PKF) in Chicago.

Ms. Roberts holds a B.S. degree and is a graduate and valedictorian of Michigan State University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management.  She currently serves on the Board of Governors for the University of North Texas College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism.

Rich Cortese joined Aimbridge in 2009 and has 32 years of hospitality experience.  Cortese is responsible for identifying prime resort and luxury investment opportunities and oversight of resort hotel operations.  Most of his more than 30 years of experience in the hotel industry has been centered on the Caribbean Region. 

Prior to Aimbridge he was most recently Executive Vice President of Caribbean Property Group (CPG), where he had both management and asset management responsibilities of their 750 million dollar hotel portfolio.  This portfolio included the Ritz Carlton San Juan, Marriott Aruba, Radisson San Juan, a Marriott Courtyard portfolio, and an independent Hotel in San Juan, The Normandie.  Before his tenure with CPG, Cortese was responsible for overseeing the El San Juan, El Conquistador and Conrad Plaza, the most successful resorts in Puerto Rico as well as a number of other Wyndham properties throughout the Caribbean.  Prior to Wyndham Resorts, Cortese was Senior Vice President - Operations of Atlantis Paradise Island and Corporate Food and Beverage Director of Hyatt Hotel Corporation.

Mr. Cortese holds a BBA from St. John’s University.  In 2004, as Regional Vice President of Wyndham, Cortese was chosen as Hotelier of the Year by the Puerto Rico Hotel Association where he serves as a board member and Chairman of its Gaming Committee. Cortese was also appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico to serve as a board member of the Puerto Rico Convention and Business Bureau.

Rich Sprecher joined Aimbridge in 2009 and has 36 years of hospitality experience.  Sprecher operates out of the company’s Regional Office in Chicago, and is responsible for expanding the company’s portfolio through third party management contracts and joint venture acquisitions.  He is also responsible for increasing the number of properties managed by the Distressed Asset Division.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Sprecher was Director of Franchise Sales for Choice Hotels International for over 17 years. While there he was responsible for selling over 220 hotel franchises for the Cambria, Clarion, Quality, Comfort, Sleep and Mainstay Suites brands and was a member of Choice’s President Club for all but two years. Sprecher has also held senior management positions with Adam’s Mark Hotels & Resorts, Stouffer Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels, and Best Western Bradbury Suites Hotels.

Sprecher graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout Hotel Program with honors, and is a Certified Hotel Administrator by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

Anne Binns joined Aimbridge in 2011 and has 30 years of experience.  Binns is responsible for leading and directing the company’s human resource programs. Her areas of responsibility include leadership development, recruitment and staffing, employee and labor relations, legal compliance and building a culture committed to excellence. She also plays a key role in acquisitions and divestments of hotels for the company. Binns has extensive experience in human resources management.  

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Binns was the Vice President of Human Resources at Remington Hotels and provided support for over 60 hotels, and previously was the Regional Director of Human Resources for Accor supporting over 300 properties.  Her background includes human resources and operational leadership roles at various hotel management companies with portfolios of full service, four star hotels to select service hotels across multiple brands and locations.

Ms. Binns holds degrees in Business Management and a Master of Science in Counseling, and is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources.

Tony Maness joined Aimbridge in 2012 to lead the newly formed Channel Point Hospitality.  Maness has  32 years of hospitality experience.  He is responsible for the operations, revenue and profit growth of the Channel Point Hospitality business.  

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Maness was the executive vice president of operations for Jameson Brands at Park Management Group LLC.  Maness began his hospitality career as a line level employee for Holiday Inns, Inc. and grew to corporate and executive level positions at Holiday Inns, Inc., Equity Inns/McNeill Hospitality Corporation, Winfield Hospitality and Jameson Inns.

Mr. Maness has a B.A. and a B.S from Freed-Hardeman University.

Mike Beardsley joined Aimbridge in 2012 bringing 32 years of hospitality experience with him.  Beardsley is responsible for the overall sales, revenue and marketing for Aimbridge Hospitality’s portfolio of more than 80 hotels in the United States and Caribbean.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Beardsley was most recently the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Interstate Hotels and Resorts and was previously the Vice President of Global Sales-North America at Accor Hospitality.  Beardsley also worked for Marriott International for 21 years during which time he led sales, marketing and branding efforts on local, regional and national levels.

Mr. Beardsley has a B.S. in Marketing from the University of New Orleans.

David Capps joined Aimbridge in 2010 and has over 8 years of hospitality experience.  Mr. Capps is responsible for identifying acquisition, management and development activities. Mr. Capps plays a key role in fostering new joint venture opportunities, working with capital partners, lenders, brokers and brands.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Mr. Capps worked with Merrill Lynch Capital and Merrill Lynch Global Banking Group for over 6 years as Assistant Vice President and Assistant Finance Manager.  While at Merrill Lynch Capital, he underwrote over $500 million of balance sheet and securitized loans for ground-up development, repositioning and/or acquisition of hotel and resort properties in the form of first mortgages, B-notes and mezzanine debt. Prior to Merrill Lynch Capital, Mr. Capps worked as Assistant Finance Manager for Merrill Lynch’s Global Banking Group, where he sourced and underwrote Corporate debt and equity opportunities. Capps also completed the Credit Training Program at Amegy Bank in Houston.

Mr. Capps holds a B.A. degree in Finance from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.

Nolan Wrentmore joined Aimbridge in 2005 and has 20 years of hospitality experience.  Mr. Wrentmore oversees all aspects of revenue management and e-commerce for Aimbridge’s hotels.  Mr. Wrentmore has extensive knowledge and experience in segmentation, pricing, revenue management systems, third party Internet booking channels, pay per click marketing, and guides Aimbridge’s entire portfolio in all market strategies.

Prior to joining Aimbridge, Wrentmore was Corporate Director of Revenue Management for Wyndham International and was responsible for various full service hotels in the Western United States.  While in this role, he also oversaw the revenue management transition of the Summerfield Suites brand to a Hyatt brand.  Prior to that, he served as Area Revenue Manager for Performance Hospitality (a division of Wyndham) overseeing several brands across the Midwest, including several Hilton and Holiday Inn products.