Our Ambassadors

Thomas W. Conran

Tom Conran serves as a founding Principal of Greenwood Hospitality Group. In this capacity, Mr. Conran has the critical responsibility of growing the group via strategic investments and third-party hotel management assignments. An industry veteran, Mr. Conran has more than 35 years of hospitality experience in the management, finance, and real estate sectors.

Prior to his current role, Mr. Conran served as Vice President of Business Development for Richfield Hospitality. Mr. Conran expanded the Richfield management platform to include hospitality investments and acquisitions. During his 25 years with Richfield and its predecessor companies, Mr. Conran held several key positions including sales and marketing and property manager assignments. In addition, he was responsible for property management transitions and client relations within the management portfolio.

From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Conran also served as Vice President of Acquisitions for Regal Hotels International and successfully closed on $300 million of hotel acquisitions, including the Bostonian Hotel, the UN Plaza Hotel New York, the Knickerbocker Chicago, and the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel. Thereafter, Mr. Conran served as Vice President of Acquisitions and Finance for Millennium Hotels, USA with active involvement in the group’s investment strategies and renovation programs for their portfolio of 13 up-scale full-service hotels. As a frequent guest lecturer Conran recently taught at the prestigious Institut’ Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France.

Mr. Conran earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire and serves as a adjunct professor at the Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon, France. Additionally, Conran serves on the Advisory Council for Marriott’s Autograph Collection and Tribute Portfolio. Tom is married to Sylvia Conran and they have two sons.

Tom’s Mantra: “Follow your passion and strive to be the best.”
His approach to Life: Family, good friends, health and happiness.
Favorite destination: Cayman Islands.
Words to live by: “Do your best to be fair, equitable and respectful.”

Aik Hong Tan

Tan serves as a founding Principal for Greenwood Hospitality, an award-winning hotel operator and affiliate of Hotel Equities, where he actively shapes the company’s growth by steering its financial and investment strategies.

Tan is also the Chief Investment Officer for Hotel Equities where he leads the company's investment strategies, capitalizing on new opportunities to enhance the portfolio and deliver sustained value to stakeholders.

As a founding Principal of Greenwood Hospitality, Tan plays a key role in guiding the strategic direction of the company, leveraging his extensive experience in financial management and strategic investments to drive growth and innovation. His efforts focus on optimizing financial performance, ensuring that Greenwood Hospitality remains competitive and well-positioned in the evolving hospitality industry. In his pivotal role as Chief Investment Officer, Tan is instrumental in shaping the future of Hotel Equities through a comprehensive oversight of strategic investments, feasibility studies, acquisitions, and financial planning. His approach involves meticulous evaluation of market trends and investment opportunities to ensure that every decision aligns with the company's long-term objectives and maximizes stakeholder value.

With over 25 years of experience in the financial and hospitality sectors, Tan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic acumen, notably during his tenure as President of Richfield Hospitality from 2002 through mid-2009. Under his leadership, Richfield grew to become one of the top-ranked management companies in the U.S. He expanded the company’s role from a third-party property manager to an entity actively engaged in hospitality acquisitions and investments.

Prior to joining Richfield, Tan directed one of Asia’s leading e-commerce companies, representing over 3,000 hotels worldwide, and was a senior financial executive of a publicly traded company on the Singapore Exchange, focusing on power plant and energy-related holdings. His career includes overseeing major initiatives such as development of mixed-use real estate projects, issuance of bonds to international finance institutions, disposition strategies for power-related companies, and oversight of e-commerce/GDS and purchasing disciplines in the hospitality arena.

Tan earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Accountancy from the National University of Singapore. He serves on the Executive Advisory Board for the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the University of Denver.

Tan’s superpower: The ability to synthesize ideas into clear direction and action.
Words to live by: “Never be satisfied with status quo.”
Favorite destination: Europe
Next dream job: Pro golfer

William Kohl

William D. Kohl oversees the strategic and operational direction of Greenwood Hospitality Group's portfolio of hotels. Additionally, he directs the Company's activities in restaurant development, concept design and re-positioning. Mr. Kohl's portfolio experience includes oversight of many high profile assets , direct responsibility for opening eight hotels as well as concept design of over twenty restaurants.

During his thirty-five year career, Bill has received several honors including The Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association's General Manager of the Year and the American Hotel and Lodging Association's State Leadership Award. His restaurants consistently achieve the AAA Four Diamond Award and several have won the coveted DiRōNA Award. He has twice been recognized by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine as a Top of the Table Award winner for restaurant design. A wine specialist, Kohl has consistently been recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine for innovative wine lists and programs.

Mr. Kohl currently serves on the National Restaurant Association's Board of Directors and is immediate Past Chair of its Political Action Committee. He also serves as a member of the Marriott Food and Beverage Advisory Committee and the Renaissance Hotels Owners' Advisory Board. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree from Central Pennsylvania College in 2004. He was named Penn State University's Alumnus of the Year for the School of Hospitality Management. Mr. Kohl was recently honored with the 2021 International Foodservice Manufacturers Association Silver Plate Award for Hotels and Lodging.

Kohl is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management. He is founder of Très Bonne Année, a series of wine and food events and international wine auction for charity which raises in excess of $400,000 annually. He is married to his wife Kim and has two adult children.

Bill’s superpower: Leadership, vision, and support with integrity.
A Word of Advice: “Read. Have a passion for service excellence, be enthusiastic.”
Favorite destination: Napa Valley and Sonoma
Go-to comfort food: Roast chicken with caramelized onions, chicken demi glace, and a great Burgundy.

Peter Tziahanas

Peter serves as Executive Vice President of Greenwood Lifestyle portfolio. In his role, he has direct oversight of the operational and commercial strategies and initiatives.

Peter will work closely with external and internal customers to drive operational excellence and profitability while enhancing guest and employee engagement.

Peter’s superpower: Servant Leadership through a compassionate lens 
Go-to comfort food: Pizza
Favorite travel destination: Greece

Dan Block

Dan Block serves as Vice President of Operations, in his role he has direct operational oversight of a select group of hotels in the Greenwood portfolio.

Mr. Block has over 30 years of executive level leadership in the luxury hospitality market. His experiences range from Executive Chef with Ritz-Carlton Hotels, several senior property level positions with Destination Hotels and Resorts, area-level responsibilities with Omni Hotels and Resorts and Vice President of Operations with Lewis Properties.

His hospitality debut: I started working in my Uncle’s Restaurant when I was 13 and I was hooked!
Go-to comfort food: A good charcoal-cooked cheeseburger.
Favorite destination: The beach
Fun fact: I have teenage twins who keep me pretty busy in my off hours.

Becky Vealey

Ms. Vealey is responsible for overseeing the sales, revenue management and marketing initiatives for the Greenwood portfolio. She and her team are responsible for sales training, developing strategic plans, brand relations, e-commerce, implementing standards and procedures, forecasting, budgeting, market development and pre-opening functions.

Becky's superpower: Adaptability
Will never forget... Working with active military and veterans
Go-to comfort food: Pasta
Next dream job: Bed and breakfast owner

Joe Insernia

Mr. Isernia is responsible for the operations of the portfolio and special projects to enhance service or profitability. With over 30-years of multi-brand hospitality experience, Mr. Isernia has held several senior level managerial positions. His experience ranges from full service resorts to city center properties, and includes operational knowledge of Holiday Inn, Hilton Hotels, Crowne Plaza.

Joe’s superpower: Passion for the business
Will never forget… Serving lunch to President George W. Bush
Go-to comfort food: Salmon salad
Next dream job: Retirement

Shannon Foster

Ms. Foster is responsible for the operations and direct oversight of a portfolio. With over 20 years of multi-brand hospitality experience, Shannon has served in multiple General Manager and Regional General Manager roles and has overseen the operation of 4 full-service Independent Lifestyle and Soft Branded Hotels with 8 F&B outlets, 2 Retail Boutiques and 1 Spa.

Next Dream Job: Travel Writer

Good Comfort Food: Chips and Salsa

Your Superpower: Patience

Diana Voicu

Diana oversees the human resource functions for the portfolio. In her role she focuses on talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, retention, and motivation strategies, enabling companies to leverage the full potential of their most valuable asset - their people. Diana is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of diverse experience in the hospitality industry, having worked across various departments in luxury lifestyle hotels.

Advice for others: “The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation.”

Good Comfort Food: French Fries

Your Superpower: Resilience and Endurance

Barry Dively

Barry Dively serves as the Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing for Greenwood Hospitality Group. In this capacity, he oversees the strategic sales processes and productivity of ten properties in the portfolio while providing support and direction over revenue generating initiatives.

Barry’s superpower: Always looking for a better method.
A Word of Advice: “Never give up; each let-down is a learning opportunity to grow.”
Go-to comfort food: Beer and a good burger on the grill.
Favorite destination: Charleston, S.C.

Jeff Iavarone

Jeff Iavarone oversees the strategic sales process and productivity for a portfolio of our hotels. In his role, he provides support and oversight of revenue generation and marketing initiatives.

Go To Comfort Food: Pizza Siciliana
Next Dream Job: Best Selling Author
Will Never Forget: Surfing Costa Rica
Super Power: Avoiding Negativity, Embracing Positivity

Jeff Spence

Jeff Spence oversees the strategic sales processes and productivity of ten properties in our portfolio while providing support and direction over revenue generating initiatives. Jeff has close to 30 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Words of advice: Be a lifelong student and seeker of knowledge
Favorite Quote: “You are either coaching it or you are allowing it to happen” – Mike Leach
Ultimate comfort food: Papusas
Favorite Past Time: Watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Rock n Roll Concerts and Golfing

Liz Flurry

Liz Flurry is responsible for the oversight and implementation of all traditional and digital marketing initiatives, social media and reputation management for the portfolio of hotels. Additionally, she is responsible for brand development and activation for our soft brand collection of hotels.

Words To Live By: “Be proud of what you do and there are no failures only opportunities.”
Go-to comfort food: Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies
Favorite Destination: Anywhere rich with history and amazing food!
Next Dream Job: Travel Photographer

John Leslie

John serves as Corporate Director of Food and Beverage. In his role he oversees the strategic and operational direction of Food and Beverage for Greenwood Hospitality Group’s portfolio of hotels. Additionally, he supports the company’s initiatives for all new restaurant and hotel openings.

Advice for others: It is nice to be important, but more important to be nice

Favorite Travel Destination: Maui, Hawaii

Dinner after a tough day: Fried catfish with collard greens and black-eyed peas

Adele McFarlane

Adele serves as Corporate Director of Food and Beverage. In her role, she supports the front of house operations to include brand and service training and beverage program development for Greenwood Hospitality Group’s portfolio of hotels. Adele works in partnership with our entire corporate team to help guide, support, implement and execute companywide food and beverage initiatives.

Advice for others: We are experts in the art of delivering delight, whether it is on the serving plate or in a cocktail glass. We create moments. The guest experience is everything and our guest engagement is never ending.

Favorite Travel Destination: Everywhere (every destination has worth)

Dinner after a tough day: Mac and cheese; and more mac and cheese