Leadership

Michael Evans, President of Marcus Hotels & Resorts, is a proven global lodging industry executive and hospitality leader with over 25 years of experience. Michael is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company, ensuring its continuous growth, maintaining a commitment to excellence, and delivering exceptional results. Before joining Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2020, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Apex Capital Ventures LLC, a real estate company he founded in 2017 to focus on the development and acquisition of hotels, resorts, and branded residences in high-barrier-to-entry markets in the U.S.

Michael’s career includes nine years with MGM Resorts International as Chief Operating Officer of MGM Hospitality and as Executive Vice President of Global Development. As COO, he led the MGM Hospitality team, showcasing his strategic leadership and operational expertise. Prior to MGM, he held several leadership positions for 10 years at Marriott International, Inc. in which he developed hotels for the company on a global scale across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Before joining Marriott International in 1998, Michael was an attorney in private practice in Miami, Florida.

Michael received his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from the University of Miami School of Law and his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He currently serves on the board of directors for VISIT Milwaukee and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.

Andrew Flack is a globally experienced, results-oriented commercial leader with over 30 years of hospitality experience across sales, marketing, revenue management, and hotel operations. He is passionate about making every hotel a leader in market share and revenue performance while enabling each commercial team member to reach their full potential.

Andrew joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2020 as Chief Commercial Officer, having most recently served as Vice President of Marketing & eCommerce with Hilton Worldwide where he supported more than 5,000 managed and franchised properties. Prior to this role, he held a variety of national and international sales and marketing roles with Hilton.

Steve Hilton is an accomplished hotel operations leader with a proven track record in managing and opening properties across the United States. He brings over 30 years of hospitality management experience, and is committed to excellence as he works to elevate each property’s reputation for quality service.

Steve joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2016 as General Manager of the company’s Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District Hotel, which opened a year later. He led the hotel to many successes, including leading the market in almost every metric as well as being named “Hotel of the Year" by Marriott International in 2019. He was then promoted to Managing Director at the property prior to his current role as Senior Vice President of Operations. Earlier in his career, Steve served as General Manager at numerous branded and independent hotels throughout the country.

Rajiv Castellino is a skilled hospitality technology leader with over 30 years of experience managing IT systems administration and strategy for global and regional hotel management companies and their properties. He aligns technical strategy with operations to drive revenue, maximize efficiencies, and reduce costs.

Rajiv joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2017 as Chief Technology Officer. He previously served as Chief Information Officer at Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. where he oversaw strategic technology direction, information technology management and technology brand standards. His career also includes leadership roles at leading hospitality management companies, including Interstate Hotels & Resorts and MeriStar Hospitality Corporation.

Martha Handrich is a business focused Human Resources executive, driven to ensure that all HR strategies are supported throughout the division while being aligned with Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ overall goals. During her more than 20 years with the company, Martha has played an integral role in the day to day HR functions, and overseen multiple hotel acquisitions, union negotiations, and contracts. With a hands-on approach, Martha has prioritized and fostered Marcus’ people-first culture.

Martha started her career with Marcus Hotels & Resorts as an intern at Hilton Milwaukee. As she grew with the company, she served in various property-level and corporate HR roles, most recently being promoted to Vice President of Human Resources in 2024. An active volunteer in her community, Martha participates in organizations including Camp One Step by Children’s Oncology Services and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin. She was recognized as a Woman of the Year in 2017 by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Tiffany Donato is a proven hotel investment and asset management executive who oversees all transactional activities designed to fuel company growth, including acquisitions, co-investments, and new third-party management contracts. She has over 25 years of experience leading complex transactions within the lodging industry, spanning multiple geographies, diverse market dynamics, and deal types.

Tiffany joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2023 as Chief Investment Officer. Prior to joining the company, the majority of her career had been with Hyatt Hotels Corporation and its subsidiaries, where she led strategic real estate transactions supporting Hyatt's substantial asset recycling and capital redeployment initiatives, which included more than $14 billion in transaction volume over the past 15 years.

William (Bill) Reynolds, Jr. is an esteemed hotel real estate investor and developer that understands the true value of every property. He uses his comprehensive experience in hotel asset management, development, project finance and hotel acquisitions and dispositions to evaluate investment strategies and opportunities that maximize company growth and success.

Bill joined the company in 2011 as Senior Managing Director of MCS Capital, LLC, the company’s hotel investment business. His career includes over 35 years of experience in commercial real estate investment, with a specialty in the hotel industry. Prior to joining MCS Capital, William served in various C-suite roles at notable hospitality companies, including Thayer Lodging Group, MeriStar Hospitality Corporation REIT, Interstate Hotels, and CapStar Hotel Company.

Carl Dees is a seasoned hospitality veteran with over 35 years of experience in the industry. He has a drive for operational excellence and uses his vast background in operations to provide support to properties across Marcus Hotels & Resorts portfolio, including training and mentoring general managers and other hotel leaders.

Carl joined the company in 2018 as Vice President of Operations after working for leading hotel management companies such as Richfield Hotels, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, and Crescent Hotels & Resorts. He has worked with properties across the country, helping them achieve objectives and meet business outcomes.

Linda Gulrajani is a highly respected voice in the hospitality revenue management space. She brings her depth of knowledge to Marcus Hotels & Resorts and its properties to create a robust revenue management strategy that is engrained in the company’s culture and leads to increased profits.

Linda joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2009 and held several positions within the company’s revenue management team before being promoted to Vice President of Revenue Strategy & Financial Analysis in 2014. Prior to joining the company, she served in a variety of revenue management and sales roles at hospitality companies across the country, including TravelCLICK, Walt Disney World, Marriott, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Loews Hotels.

Linda Price-Topp brings over 30 years of hospitality experience as she oversees hotel sales leaders and their contributing teams across the portfolio. Her extensive experience in goal setting, performance management, and sales planning helps set the course for each hotel in their unique markets. She prioritizes local community involvement as a sales activity and works with teams to build relationships in organizations that support Marcus Hotels through business travel, group travel, and social gatherings. She utilizes a multifaceted sales approach to achieve optimal occupancy, and generate overall hotel revenue growth.

Linda joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 1993 and held several sales positions within the company before being promoted to Vice President of Sales in 2017. Prior to joining the company, she served in various sales roles at destination properties such as La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, and Sugar Bay Plantation Resort in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Linda serves as an advisory board member with Best Buddies Wisconsin, as a parent advisor with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and as a member of the Board of Trustees with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Wisconsin.

Kevin Gallagher is a forward-thinker with an eye for enhancements. He brings over 35 years of hospitality experience as he oversees renovations, repositioning, and new builds for major brands and independent hotels. Working directly alongside property management, Kevin brings properties to new heights, leading them to receive numerous awards while providing extraordinary guest experiences along the way.

Kevin joined the company in 2004 as Resort Manager of Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ iconic Grand Geneva Resort & Spa where he was involved in several large capital renovation projects. He has held several project management roles before being promoted to Vice President of Project Management in 2019. Through these projects, Kevin oversees enhancements that appeal to the next generation of guests while still maintaining a strong connection with its current customers.

John Wise is a highly regarded restaurateur who plays an integral role in leading and elevating Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ multifaceted restaurant, bar, and group catering programs to deliver dynamic and extraordinary culinary experiences. This includes overseeing all hotel catered events and over 40 signature restaurants, bars, and lounges across the company’s portfolio.

John joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2023 as Vice President of Food & Beverage, having spent more than 27 years with Bartolotta Restaurants in Milwaukee and 13 years with national restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You in Chicago. Throughout his career, he has opened more than 30 restaurants, built extensive relationships, and hosted hundreds of events with dignitaries, celebrities, professional athletes, elected officials, and others.

Will Geissel is a hospitality purchasing executive with substantial vendor negotiations and contracting experience with both national and regional suppliers across the hotel supply chain. His procurement strategy is driven by data and focuses on transparency, collaboration, and metrics to achieve cost savings while staying committed to quality. He also leads all aspects of laundry operations at the company.

Will joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2012 as Corporate Director of Procurement to direct the centralized procurement function for the company. He has held several procurement roles for Marcus Hotels & Resorts. Prior to joining the company, he led procurement at industry-leading properties, like The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona and Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida, as well as the Corporate Director of Procurement Services at Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Director of Sales at BuyEfficient.

Bryant Poss is a highly skilled finance professional with experience in accounting, forecasting and budgeting. In his role, Bryant helps ensure the accuracy and integrity of Marcus Hotels & Resorts financial operations, which plays a key role in the company's growth and success.

Bryant joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2019 from Deloitte, where he specialized in financial consulting and auditing for multiple Fortune 100 companies. He was promoted to Senior Director of Finance in July 2024. Bryant received both his CPA and IFRS certifications.

Mark McDonald has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry with a dedication to sales and events as well as vast operational experience. He drives Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ unrivaled commitment to exceptional service and unforgettable experiences across the company’s portfolio as he works closely with each property’s sales and event teams.

Mark’s entire hospitality career has been with Marcus Hotels & Resorts when he started as Director of Food & Beverage Purchasing in 1997 at the company’s flagship property, the historic Pfister Hotel. He has held a variety of roles with the company, including Regional Director of Convention Services in Milwaukee and Corporate Director of Sales & Events.

Matthew Peschke is a creative, passionate marketer with extensive expertise in hospitality rebranding and hotel and resort strategic planning and activations. He partners with each property to provide strategic marketing guidance and implement corporate initiatives to continue their growth in addition to the Marcus Hotels & Resorts' brand.

Matthew joined the company in 2019 as Corporate Director of Marketing before being promoted to his current role of Senior Director of Corporate Marketing. He previously served in a variety of marketing and brand roles for Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts as well as independent hospitality brands like Lore Group and Doyle Collection. He also opened numerous W Hotels across North America and worked on the rebranding of W Hotels Worldwide.

Mark Weber is a globally experienced Executive Chef and Culinary Operator with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry. In his role, Mark is instrumental in developing menu concepts and enhancing the food and beverage experience at Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ more than 40 signature restaurants, bars and lounges.

Mark joined the company in 2005 as Executive Chef of Mason Street Grill at The Pfister Hotel where he served as one of the masterminds behind the creation and development of the award-winning restaurant. He made his mark in the Milwaukee dining scene working for Bartolotta Restaurant Group as Corporate Chef and as Owner and Operator of his own restaurant, WaterMark Seafood. Mark also has global experience having worked at Michelin-star restaurants in Paris, Alsace, and Italy.

Tisha Joseph Tisha Joseph is a seasoned communications leader with a strong background in corporate communications, recruitment marketing, and brand development. She creates and executes strategies to attract, engage, and retain talent across Marcus Hotels & Resorts properties.

Tisha joined the company in 2023 as Director of Talent Marketing & Communication following successful stints at Molson Coors Beverage Company and Kohl’s where she served in a variety of roles specializing in internal and HR communications.