Executive Team


Each member of the Executive Team of Driftwood Hospitality Management averages 20 years of hotel experience and has a focus in the major aspects of hotel operations:


The Executive Team of Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC


David Buddemeyer, Principal and President of Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC was Chairman and CEO of Servico, inc Hotels and Resorts, a NYSE hotel company, until December 1998. Mr. Buddemeyer began his tenure at Servico, inc as Executive Vice-President in 1990, responsible for all facets of the company’s operation. The company grew from 28 hotels in 1990 to 110 hotels by 1998. In December 1998 Servico, inc merged with another hotel company, bringing the organization to 150 hotels with over 28,000 rooms. Upon the completion of this merger, Mr. Buddemeyer left the company to start Driftwood Hospitality Management LLC with several of his key executives from Servico, inc. During his tenure at Servico, inc he was responsible for the company’s growth in sales from $42mm to $450mm, with EBITDA growing at a compound annual rate of 41% from $16mm in 1990 to $180mm in 1999. Prior to his success at Servico, inc, Mr. Buddemeyer was Vice-President of Operations for Prime Hospitality.


Carlos J. Rodriguez, Principal and Executive Vice President of Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC joined the company in June 2003 to oversee PR, Investor Relations, Real Estate Development and Acquisitions, Raising Capital and Arrange Financing. Mr. Rodriguez was formerly Chairman and CEO of Cardel Hotels, a group of affiliated hotel management, ownership and development companies based in Miami, Florida. Rodriguez founded Cardel with one hotel in 1997; by 2001 he had expanded his company to five award-winning full- and limited-service properties in Florida plus a full-service beach resort in Costa Rica, a condominium hotel operation in Miami Beach, a restaurant development, and an innovative Vacation Club ownership program. Rodriguez holds an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, a BS in Economics from Vanderbilt University, and a Certificate in Hotel Management from Cornell University. Rodriguez also has Wall Street investment banking experience.


Peter J. Walz, Principal and Executive Vice President of Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC is in charge of Marketing and Sales, and Internet Strategies. Prior to Driftwood, Mr. Walz was President of Lodgian Europe, SA and Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and Development for Servico, inc, inc. from 1994 to 1999. While leading the development of Servico, inc the company grew from 42 hotels to 110 hotels. Prior to Servico, inc, Mr. Walz developed a hotel and several office and retail projects in California. In addition Mr. Walz was marketing manager for new products, The Pillsbury Company, and CEO and marketing architect for Rollerblades. He is also a recipient of an Emmy nomination for his work in Children and Family Television Programming.


Brian Quinn, Executive Vice President of Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC, joined the company in 2011 and is based in Palm Harbor, FL. Brian comes to Driftwood with more than 24 years of experience in the hotel industry in multiple domestic and international markets; he has a broad executive background in franchising, development, people leadership, business management, systems management, finance, franchise services and hotel operations. Most recently, Brian served as VP of Upscale Development, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo brands with InterContinental Hotels Group. Brian was responsible for development strategy and quality growth within the United States, Canada and the countries of the Caribbean. Brian has earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida.


Charles Michael Diaz, Principal and Executive Vice President of Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC, began his hotel career at Servico, inc in 1993. After completing several projects and assignments in the renovation and development area of the company, he assumed duties in operations. Mr. Diaz was responsible for coordinating many of the analysis and decisions made as to potential acquisitions. Diaz continued to progress in his career serving as assistant to the chairman and CEO, culminating in his appointment by the Board to the position of Vice President and Secretary of the Corporation. Prior to his joining Servico, inc, Diaz was pursuing his MBA at Florida State University, which he earned in 1992.


Steven M. Johnson, Executive Vice President of Driftwood Hospitality Management, LLC joined the firm in July 2002 and is responsible for acquisitions and management contracts. Prior to joining Driftwood, he worked at Interstate Hotels from 1999 to 2002 and before that was in charge of acquisitions for Highgate Holdings. He has also held development positions with Omni Hotels. Mr. Johnson began his career in 1984 as a consultant for Laventhol & Horwath, after graduating from Michigan State University, with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management. Mr. Johnson has been involved in the development and acquisition of hotel and resort assets throughout the United States and Canada.

 

Phillip Hale, Corporate Controller, joined Driftwood in 1999 when the company was formed by Mr. Buddemeyer and served as controller until 2005. He recently returned to assume his former position. Prior to joining Driftwood Mr. Hale was Treasurer for Servico, inc. where he worked for over twenty years.


Michael Bulgarelli, Vice President/CFO, joined Driftwood in September 2008 and is based in the Home Office in North Palm Beach, FL. He comes to Driftwood with close to twenty years experience in hospitality accounting, finance, senior management and property development, serving as CFO of PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach, VP-Finance of The Boca Raton Resort & Club, GM and CFO of The Otsego Club & Resort in Michigan, Hotel Controller for The Sands Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City and most recently as Corporate Controller for Becker Lodging Management, the parent company of The Paramount Hotel in NYC and The Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago. In his capacity as Corporate Controller, he oversees the accounting function at The Corporate Office in addition to assisting Senior Management in the financial operations of all owned and managed properties. He has earned a degree in Business Administration/Accounting from Villanova University.


Rob Auman, Regional Operations Manager, joined Driftwood as the General Manager of Hotel Thirty Thirty in New York City. With 34 years experience in the hotel industry, Rob became Regional Operations Manager in March of 2004. His primary duties are to assist the hotel in the operations and sales efforts.


Sean McMeel, Regional Operations Manager, joined Driftwood in 2005 as Regional Director of Operations with focus on existing and newly acquired hotels in the portfolio. Most recently he was with Servico, inc/Lodgian Hotels for 11years and held various positions, including Vice President of Operations, Regional Operations Manager and Executive Operations Manager. Hospitality Experience started at a Sheraton in Savannah GA. In addition to 18 years of Hotel Operations experience McMeel spent 16 years in the Banking industry after attending Michigan State University and Rutgers University.


René McCann, National Revenue Manager, joined Driftwood in 2002 as Assistant General Manager at our Holiday Inn Select property in Memphis. She brought with her over 10 years of Rate Yielding experience, holding positions of General Manager and Area Revenue Manager. At Driftwood René works closely with the properties to ensure proper positioning of their properties in the market place.


Jackie Gerstenfeld, Director of Legal Administration, joined Driftwood Hospitality Management in June, 2007 after more than 25 years as a Paralegal, most recently as a Corporate and Securities Paralegal for a prestigious South Florida law firm.  Ms. Gerstenfeld also has expertise as a paralegal working on securities and corporate litigation and case management.  She oversees the contracts, compliance, loss prevention and litigation for the company.


Teresa M Kramer-Petrone, CMP National Marketing & Sales Director, Joined the company in September 2000. She has worked the last 15 years in hotel/resort marketing and sales developing and implementing strategic and successful marketing and sales strategies with measurable results. Her responsibilities include finding new revenue opportunities for the Driftwood portfolio of properties involving all market segments.

 

Dee Anne Osborne, Regional Director Sales and Marketing, joined the company in March 2006, with over 20 years of industry sales and marketing experience that includes independent, branded, select-service, full-service and extended stay properties. Her focus is on market analysis, revenue strategies, channel production and positioning. Believing that strategic planning and goal setting is critical to a property’s success, she works in tandem with each sales team to develop an annual marketing plan and oversees its execution.


Jim Donovan, Regional Director Sales and Marketing, joined Driftwood Hospitality in August of 2003. A Communications and Marketing graduate from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Jim brings over 25 years of Hotel and Resort sales and marketing experience, most of which was spent with Marriott Hotels and Resorts full service division where he won numerous awards including Sales and Marketing Director of the Year, Sales Team of the Year and the annual Vision Award. Jim specializes in all phases of Revenue and Yield management while focusing on planning, developing and implementing direct sales organizations with-in the Driftwood Portfolio.


Colin Pegler, Director of Sales and Marketing, Resort Marketing International, is responsible for marketing and reservations throughout Europe for Driftwood Hospitality Management. He formerly headed up marketing for Elegant Hotels Group, Hotels On line and MKI Ltd., which serviced hotels in Europe, UK and the Caribbean region.

 

Tom Sweeney, Purchasing Manager, joined Driftwood Hospitality in 2007 after ten years in production and purchasing in the golf industry. His responsibilities include overseeing all capital purchasing for the companies properties as well as the renovation projects that Driftwood is involved in. Tom received his bachelors degree in 1990 from Western State College of Colorado in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management.