Brenda is a native of Asheville, NC and loves being in tourism in her hometown.  Brenda’s philosophy on running our company is simple:  Build a solid, dedicated team who cares about each other and our guests and always support development and growth.  Brenda has worked in hospitality since graduating high school.

Community responsibility is important to her personally and is an integral part of our company.  Brenda leads her team to be responsible, helpful and resourceful with many community partners.  It is her belief that in helping others you find deep joy and satisfaction. 

Brenda is a great lover of animals and enjoys time spent with her two dogs.  Having time with friends and family is an important part of her life.  She enjoys interesting dining, wine and entertaining. 

Words to live by:  “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and Happier.”  Mother Teresa

Ray joined Asheville Hotel Group in July 2000, after four years working in hospitality and property management in Jackson Hole, WY.  Ray was born and raised in Richmond, VA and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Property Management.  As the Director of Sales for Asheville Hotel Group, Rays brings a knowledgeable, dependable and helpful approach to his many clients.  Family is the most important aspect in Ray’s life – With his wife Laura, together they enjoy traveling, dining out and going to see live music.  Ray is a proud father to two wonderful children who he adores.   

Words to live by…. “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”– Babe Ruth

Lori is a native of Asheville. She worked for Asheville Hotel Group part time while in high school, then spent 20 years working in the automotive industry and is now back home.

Lori’s favorite hobby is travel, so being on the other side helping others enjoy their travels is the perfect fit for her. Family is the most important thing to her. When not at work you can find her spending time with her husband and son, along with their golden retriever, Izzie.

Some of Lori’s other favorite pastimes are hiking, enjoying new restaurants, heading out on spontaneous adventures and spending quality time with friends and family.

Lori’s words to live by are “True hospitality consists of giving the best of yourself to your guests” –Eleanor Roosevelt

Christian C. Denman a.k.a. C

Words to live By:  Life is too unpredictable!  Never let a harsh word be the last thing someone hears from you.

C’s favorite phrase: Choose your Attitude. Life is way too short to be crabby… she chooses to be happy and upbeat…glass half full kind of girl all the way!

In her teens and very early twenties, she was a dance instructor and loved it! However, she quickly discovered that she did not want to make it a career. In April 1992, C was hired as a desk clerk at the Hampton Inn – Biltmore Square in Asheville, NC, soon to found that the fit was great. She loved the people and the work. This was the career and company she had been searching for…at last. A place that she felt she could grow up with and grow old with. Now one of the Executive Assistants and HR she couldn’t be happier!

In December of 1995, C married the love of her life, Neil. Neil and C have been happily married ever since. They do everything together…housework, yardwork, but their favorite is taking trips on the Indian Motorcycle! She says there’s nothing like it! That is their happy place. Neil and C have a beautiful daughter Isabelle. Can’t believe it, but Isabelle has graduated from the University of Tennessee and is now employed by NCSBI in the forensic unit. They are very proud parents! Where has the time gone? They say time flies when you’re having fun – We all know that is true! Neil and C are looking forward their golden years as empty nesters and growing old together.

As the years fly by, many things may change, but a few things will never change… Love for her family, hospitality and her love for this company.

Teddy, joined Asheville Hotel Group in April of 2021. Born, raised and educated in Europe, Teddy arrived to the US shores in early 1990’s. Whilst getting acclimated to a new culture, learning a new language, customs & starting a family, he realized his path to professional fulfillment will be through Hospitality as this is a natural extension of his upbringing and deep desire to create a meaningful connections with people from all walks of life and from every corner of the globe.

Teddy started his hospitality career as a Guest Service Agent at a very busy Airport Hotel in Tampa Florida. His competitive spirit, as well as dedication and hunger for learning “all there is to know” about the hospitality, quickly brought him to a role of a GM at a Hampton Inn.  Dedication to his team, the guest satisfaction and outstanding financial performance, have made this hotel as a most successful property in Impact hotels portfolio. In 1999 Teddy opened and managed a highly successful Hilton Garden Inn –Tampa Ybor City. This was a first new structure in a 100 years past – and despite naysayers and sceptics, this hotel and project became a catalyst for broader development and the success of surrounding historic area of downtown Tampa. Due to his involvement on development and preservation of Historic Area, Teddy was locally known as an Honorary ‘Mayor of Ybor City’. Teddy also opened and managed a highly successful Hampton Inn and Suites Tampa Ybor City. Soon after which he joined Hilton World Wide corporate team in Memphis TN where he served as a Director of Innovation- International. Tasked with a Global interpretation of Hilton Focused service brands. He adapted and developed various brand porotypes, brand standards and their branding, whilst ensuring global brand consistency. In that role, Teddy worked in China, Indonesia, UK and Europe, Turkey, Northern Africa and Middle East, Canada as well as Central and South America.

After a brief sabbatical in Colorado, Teddy served as an Area Director of Operations with a management company from Northern KY, where he supported a portfolio of 14 hotels of various brands (Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and IHG), and was a lead in a successful preopening and launch of an ‘Airbnb’ project in Portland MA.

When not at the office, Teddy enjoys spending time with his three children, his friends and his Great Dane.

Moving to the mountains of Western North Carolina in middle school, Troy fell in love with the beautiful peaks and valleys of the Southern Appalachians and the laid-back air about them.  He became familiar with many of the wonderful hiking trails, breathtaking waterfalls and long-range views, knowing the Asheville Area was where he would call home.

 

While still in high school, Troy realized his passion for hospitality and serving people when he got a job at a historic bed and breakfast.  Soon he started working the Front Desk at the Hampton Inn and worked his way up to become general manager in 1999, and leading his team to high guest service scores and earning multiple Outstanding QA Inspections that led to being awarded a Pinnacle Award from Hilton Hotels Corporation in 2001 when his property ranked at the top of the brand.  Now at the Homewood Suites by Hilton, they continue to get Outstanding QA Inspections as well as high guest service scores.  Troy believes his team is the key to success and guest satisfaction.  Mentoring his team, he has helped several realize their success to find promotions at the Homewood Suites or one of our other properties.

 

When not working, Troy loves spending time with family and friends.  Whether it is taking the dog for a walk, walking one of his favorite hiking trails or riding a curvy mountain road on his motorcycle, he enjoys his leisure time.  For the last several years, he volunteers at the local toy store during the Holiday Season for underprivileged families and also contributes by being involved in the area’s toy runs.

 

Troy’s words to live by are “The sky is the limit!”

Aaron was born in Norton, Virginia, and loves calling the Appalachian Mountains his home. For many years his family would travel to the surrounding National Parks and Blue Ridge Parkway for their family vacations. He has always had a strong affection for the Appalachian Region and it shows through the love and support he has for his community.

At the age of 24, Aaron met his partner Lucas, and traveled the U.S. visiting over 30 National Parks from the east to the west coast.  During their life journey, Aaron started working at a Hampton Inn & Suites in Pikeville Kentucky, and knew right away that he found his lifelong career in hospitality. While traveling the U.S., Aaron worked in multiple Hilton properties, gaining the knowledge and experience to help make his career goals happen.  Along the way he has worked as Assistant General Manager, Food & Beverage Director, and even the Assistant General Manager of our own Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Area.  Aaron has worked very hard to achieve his career goals and is now the General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn Asheville South.

It has been a dream of Aaron’s to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains since he vacationed here as a child.  Now that he and Lucas have made the decision to call Asheville their home, he can share his love of the Mountains with friends, family, and guests.  Aaron and Lucas take full advantage of the mountains and love spending as much time as possible in them with their two dogs, Smokey & Nala.  Aaron loves when travelers ask for hiking suggestions and always gives them the best hiking trails with the best views of the beautiful WNC Mountains.  Aaron is incredibly excited to continue his hospitality career with Asheville Hotel Group, and to share the same love and kindness with the rest of his team.

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” —Maya Angelou