Coastal Hospitality Management
Christopher W. Brown
President
Christopher W. Brown earned his undergraduate degree in Business from Old Dominion University. Chris joined Coastal in July 2008, capping a successful thirty-two-year career in the Commercial Banking industry, with specialization in Commercial Real estate Finance. Prior to joining Coastal, Chris served as Regional Manager for the Norfolk and Richmond (Virginia) Offices of Commercial Real Estate Finance for Wachovia Bank, N.A. (now Wells Fargo). Chris also completed a Post-Graduate program at the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. In addition to traditional Income Property types (office, retail, multi-family, etc.), Chris’ Real Estate Banking background included Hotel lending. Chris’ primary role and focus is on maintaining strong Banking and Lending Relationships, with emphasis on successfully obtaining financing for all projects, including new developments, as well as refinancing of Coastal Hospitality’s existing portfolio of Hotels. Chris is responsible for the Licensing and Relicensing of all Coastal Hotels across the Brands, as well as Insurance/Risk Management for the Coastal portfolio. Despite the challenges faced by the Hospitality industry since the 2008 Banking and economic downturn, and now including the current challenges impacting Travel and Tourism, Chris has successfully secured and closed financing commitments for each of the Hotels in the portfolio; thus, ensuring Coastal Hospitality’s continued access to capital and growth.
Jack H. Zimmerman
Senior Vice President, Operations
Jack H. Zimmerman brings 35 years of successful, hands-on experience to Coastal Hospitality Associates. Jack previously served as the Senior Director of Asset Management for a very large national firm, where he provided direction to the management of a portfolio of hotels and resorts representing leading brands such as Marriott, Intercontinental, Starwood, Hilton, and Choice hotels.
Jack is responsible for Coastal’s portfolio of full and limited service hotels, including P&L accountability, guest service excellence, property performance, including brand relations, and providing strategic direction and leadership to the general managers and their respective hotel management teams. Jack has particular experience with new openings and renovations, serving as the opening General Manager for sixteen hotels, and having been involved in over fifty branded renovations. Jack earned his Associates Degree in Applied Science/Business Management from Niagara University. He received his CHA certification from the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Educational Institute in 1999.
Thomas J. Lyons, Jr.
Founder (1941-2022)
Thomas J. Lyons, Jr., a graduate of Georgetown University, founded Tidewater Hotels & Resorts in 1968. During the course of his career, Mr. Lyons developed and managed over 30 hotels in Virginia and North Carolina. In June of 2008 Mr. Lyons sold Tidewater to Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. Simultaneous with the sale of THR to Crestline, Mr. Lyons also sold eight Marriott flagged hotels to Apple REIT. Following the sale, Mr. Lyons formed Weatherly Investment Associates, LLC in July of 2008 to serve as an Asset Management and Real Estate Holding company to oversee the ownership duties and requirements associated with ten hotels retained by Mr. Lyons. In anticipation of the expiration of the management contracts at several of his hotels, Mr. Lyons formed Coastal Hospitality Associates, LLC to assume the management of the hotels as the contracts matured and expired.
In addition to his leadership, Mr. Lyons’ primarily focused on overall planning and development of hotel sites, their architecture and design, new construction and capital planning/reinvestment strategies.
Russell Lyons
Corporate Director of Operations
Having joined Coastal Hospitality in 2015, Russell has held a multitude of roles in all facets of the organization. In his current role, Russell is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of hotel operations within the portfolio as well as the short- and long-term business development objectives of the company. Russell was the President of the Virginia Beach Hotel Association from 2016 to 2020 and currently serves on several tourism and city related boards.
Nikki Henderson
Corporate Director of Revenue & Sales Strategy
Nikki is responsible for the oversight of revenue management and strategy for the portfolio with a focus on delivering results that align with the company vision. Nikki works closely with property leaders and brand liaisons for optimization of systems and standards to maximize profitability. Nikki has 20 years’ experience as a General Manager having worked at various brands in both corporate and leisure destinations. Nikki joined Coastal Hospitality in 2007 as a General Manager and transitioned to her current role in 2016. Nikki has a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management from Michigan State University.
Micki Knott
Vice President of Human Resources
Micki joined Coastal Hospitality in 2016. Micki’s focus at Coastal is on employee relations, workforce planning, compensation/benefit design, performance management and organizational development. Her previous experience includes leadership roles in Human Resources with Wyndham, LXR Luxury Hotels and Resorts, The Greenbrier, Marriott, and the Providence Biltmore. Micki holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Master’s in Human Resources and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt’s Owen School of Executive Management in Nashville. In 2015 she obtained her certificate as a Certified Professional Executive Coach and has held her SHRM-SCP certification since 1995.
Pete Grillo
Corporate Director of Engineering
Pete’s extensive experience in facilities and engineering spans 30 years, 11 of them at Coastal Hospitality, having joined the organization in 2009. Pete is responsible for the safe and profitable operation of the company’s physical assets and the oversight of all property engineers’ handling of maintenance, budgets, agreements, central purchasing, and repairs.
Shawn Hill
Corporate Director of Accounting
Shawn joined Coastal Hospitality in 2011 as the Sous Chef at Isle of Capri. In 2015, Shawn became Executive Chef for Holiday Inn Oceanside. After years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Shawn worked to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Joining the Coastal Hospitality accounting department in 2021, Shawn brings extensive and detailed knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the hospitality industry.
Amanda Nixon
Corporate Project Manager
Amanda began her hospitality career with Coastal Hospitality in 2013 as a seasonal front desk agent. She quickly developed a passion for the industry and committed herself to expanding her knowledge. Between both the Holiday Inn Oceanside and Springhill Suites Oceanfront, Amanda held many positions during her time in the field ranging from sales, accounting, director of operations and assistant general manager. Currently, Amanda serves as the Corporate Project Manager. She is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and managing a variety of projects including new hotel openings, hotel renovations, budget and inventory management of all assets.