Evan A. Studer| Chief Executive Officer
Evan Studer was appointed as CEO in Q2, 2019. As CEO, Mr. Studer works directly with and guides the Operations and /Sales Leadership who support the day-to-day success of Vista Host. He also works directly with the Chief Financial Officer and Development Team strategically pursuing new management contracts and development opportunities.
Mr. Studer works closely with ownership representatives for hotels currently or proposed to be managed by Vista Host. Evan offers an extensive and successful Executive Level experience in the hotel/hospitality industry including a prior tenure with Vista Host Management & Development.
Prior to rejoining Vista Host in 2019, Mr. Studer held the Executive Vice President of Operations position with management companies such as Crescent Hotels & Resorts, Remington Hotels and 15 years with Sunstone Hotels during their significant growth years. His time at Sunstone included 6 years as direct COO responsibilities over the management company and also assisted operationally a successful IPO rollout. Aside from the hotel industry, Evan was an Executive VP Operations & Revenue at Invitation Homes, the largest owner/operator of single-family residential leased homes spanning over multiple U.S. markets. In the early part of his career Evan gained extensive experience with Winegardner & Hammons and a successful 15 year tenure with Vista Host Hotels in Operations and Regional Director of Sales & Marketing.
Mr. Studer has extensive experience in day-to-day operations, guiding numerous hotel openings and also served on numerous industry committees including Marriott’s Rooms Advisory Board, Sheraton Advisory Council and VP of Tourism for Pensacola, FL to name a few. Mr. Studer holds a BS Degree in Mathematics and Business Administration from Eastern Kentucky University.
Kathie A. Long | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kathie Long is responsible for the coordination of all accounting, budgeting, financial and administrative functions for the company. In addition, she is responsible for negotiating management contracts, refinancing, acquisition and sales of hotels. Her experience before joining Vista Host in 1989, included nine years in public accounting as a Certified Public Accountant, Tax Manager and three years in the hospitality industry as Controller/Treasurer for a publicly held company. She is a graduate of Memphis State University with a B.B.A. in Accounting.
Michael K. Gulotty | Senior Vice President of Operations
As Senior Vice President of Operations for Vista Host, Michael leverages his energy and 30 years of hospitality experience to facilitate collaborative leadership in all disciplines. Fostering an entrepreneurial culture, that promotes visionary and logical discussion, that leverages the talent, knowledge, and expertise of each team member, is a constant for the Vista Host team since Michael joined Vista Host in 2005. His goal is to continuously have a positive impact on each property’s capacity to generate both top line and profit for ownership. Michael believes strongly in the systems Vista Host provides it associates and ownership, from its industry leading Property Service Coach program to the financial models guiding Vista Host’s daily processes. Investing his time and thought process on many of the industry tools Vista Host uses, Michael has been an instrumental member of the team as it proves out its mission to be better TODAY than we were yesterday.
Community partnership and team integration has always been a strategic priority of his. As General Manager his Vista Host hotel in Albany, NY developed and sustained the only “Women’s Only floor” of any Franchise Hotel in the US, a philanthropic partnership with the ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative. Engagement is community and regional development activity have included Board Chairperson Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau (2010-2012, and 2017 to 2018, and Post Chair currently), President of the International Center of the Capital Region (2008-2017, affiliate member GlobalTiesUS and WACA), Board Member and Treasurer of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (2010 thru 2016). Building strategic partnerships between public, private, government, and educational entities with the hospitality community is an imperative mission. Michael is committed at all times to engaging his teams, and allowing each person to develop with a yolk of outstanding hospitality and civic duty as their cultural beacon.
Brian Zacharias | Vice President of Operations
As Vice President of Operations, Brian is responsible for the implementation of Vista Host’s programs and standards to deliver outstanding results in employee and guest satisfaction, product quality, market penetration, profitability and long tern asset value. With over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Brian has held numerous operations positions both at the property level and multi-unit level across the United States. He has worked for some of the most highly-regarded Owner/Management companies, such as Crescent Hotels and Resorts, Remington Hotels, and La Quinta Inns and Suites. Brian has a proven track record of taking on troubled assets, and uncovering opportunities to drive revenues, profitability, and guest satisfaction. He also works closely with each owner to implement needed changes to gain the desired outcomes. Brian’s strongest attributes are motivating, mentoring, listening, and holding teams accountable to deliver outstanding results. Brian is a graduate of the University of Houston, with a BS in Hotel/Restaurant Management, and has had the passion for the hospitality industry since the beginning of his work career. He is an avid sports fan, and during his downtime enjoys golf. Brian loves to travel and is currently living in Lawrenceville, Ga, northeast of Atlanta.
Michael Marasco | Vice President of Sales and Marketing
As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Michael Marasco supports all Vista Host hotels in their sales efforts, and oversees a team of Regional Sales Managers. Michael has been in the Hospitality Business for over 20 years. His career began at a restaurant run by his family members and was where he developed his dedication to enhance the lives of everyone he encounters, empowers, and humbly serves. He has held positions at the highest levels within the restaurant and hotel business, achieving great success and recognition from Hilton, Marriott, and the ownership companies that he has worked with throughout his career. With a focus on driving long term sales performance and strengthening the results of the teams he has worked with, he has built his reputation on leading each market that he has worked in. He immediately leads the on-site sales team by designing action steps focused on maximizing revenues, establishing corporate accounts, strategizing and implementing correct marketing tactics, putting steps in place for maximum optimization of all echannels, and supports the teams in revenue management. His varied experience within the industry provides him with a unique view of the business, as he has held sales, operations, revenue management and general manager positions. His focus on results and dedication to the teams he works with has proven to be a winning formula that builds success for our owners and associates.
Bob Northup | Vice President of Project Management
As Vice President of Project Management, Bob Northup supports new hotel openings and the renovation of existing hotels, along with special projects. Mr. Northup joined Vista Host in 1992 as a General Manager of the Hampton Inn in Minnetonka, MN. Over the past 20 years Bob’s impact on our development along with our company wide initiatives has helped us achieve the success we experience today. His passion is to provide our hotels with support and direction while upholding the brand standards along with implementing the Vista Host Cornerstones and Points of Difference. Bob is based in Nashville, TN and travels to all hotels in our portfolio.
Marc A. Zalaznick | Vice President of Revenue Management
Marc Zalaznick joined Vista Host in 1993 as a Guest Service Manager of an Independent hotel located in Claremont, CA. He also served as Assistant General Manager for Holiday Inn hotels located in Maryland and New Jersey. Marc was promoted to General Manager of the Hampton Inn BWI in 1996. In 2001, Marc assumed the position of Director of Revenue Management. Currently, Marc has oversight for all aspects of Revenue Management for Vista Host hotels and is fully trained and well versed in the operation of all Franchise Reservations and Revenue Maximization programs. Marc graduated from Brockport State University with a BPS in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Psychology and attended hospitality classes at Mesa Community College AZ.
Roland Rodriguez | MIS Director
Roland joined Vista Host in 1991 as Computer Services Manager with experience in software development. As MIS Director, Roland manages the efforts of the MIS department for Vista Host. The MIS department is responsible for the corporate reporting systems, communication systems and network administration of the Houston support office. Roland also oversees the general support of computer hardware and software in the back office areas of the Vista Host hotels.
Cindy Matulich | Director of Accounting and Administration
Cindy Matulich is responsible for the day-to day operations of the Support Office as well as the management of property and employee insurance programs and internal and external audits, She also manages the accounting and administration of properties in development as well as acquisitions and dispositions. When Matulich joined Vista Host in 2008, she brought 30 years of hospitality and financial management experience with luxury hotels, resorts and private clubs, exclusive residential communities and conference centers. Her experience ranges from property accounting to new project development including technology infrastructure design and implementation. She is a member of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals and is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a BBA in Management and an MBA.