Dollars and Drivers

In this episode of Dollars and Drivers, Keith Kefgen sits down with seasoned hotel real estate expert Michelle Russo, Founder and CEO of hotelAVE, a leading advisory and asset management firm in hospitality. With more than 35 years of experience working on thousands of hotel, resort, and real estate assets, Michelle shares how strategic thinking, market insight, and deep industry relationships dri...

In this episode of Dollars and Drivers, Keith Kefgen sits down with marketing strategist and author Leora Lanz, whose book Developing Your Marketing Mindset challenges leaders to rethink how marketing fuels long-term success. Lanz shares how shifting mindset - not just tactics - empowers organizations to connect more authentically with customers, align teams, and drive sustainable growth. Drawing...

In this episode of Dollars and Drivers, Keith Kefgen speaks with leadership strategist Josh Keller, whose career spans top-tier management consulting and senior leadership roles in hospitality. Drawing on his experience at Boston Consulting Group and his tenure as COO of Woodside Hotels, Keller now runs his own consultancy helping executives drive strategic initiatives, strengthen alignment, and b...

In this episode of Dollars and Drivers, Keith Kefgen sits down with veteran hotelier and leadership coach Edward Mady, author of Honing the Human Edge: How Leaders Can Unlock Success through Caring, Coaching, and Accountability. Drawing on decades of experience leading iconic luxury hotels, Mady explores how culture, compassion, and clear expectations can transform teams and elevate performance. H...

On this episode of Dollars and Drivers , Keith Kefgen sits down with hospitality real estate executive Paul Sacco, Chief Growth & Development Officer at PM Hotel Group, to discuss driving expansive growth through strategic vision, operational insight, and a purpose-driven leadership mindset. With over 30 years of experience across brands such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Mint House, Sa...

From the Dollars and Drivers archives, Keith Kefgen shares a timeless conversation with hotel investor and industry leader Paul Whetsell. With decades of experience shaping some of hospitality’s most recognized brands, Whetsell discusses the principles of long-term value creation, strategic growth, and lasting leadership. His reflections on investment, adaptability, and vision offer insights that...

In this episode of Dollars and Drivers, Keith Kefgen speaks with entrepreneur and hospitality innovator David Gutstadt, Founder and CEO of Ballers, Good City Studio, and Fitler Club. With a career defined by creating next-generation lifestyle concepts that blend business, wellness, and community, Gutstadt shares how experience-driven design and purpose-led leadership are reshaping modern hospitali...

In this episode, Keith sits down with Michael Evans, President of Marcus Hotels and Resorts, for an insightful conversation about navigating the dynamic worlds of hospitality and gaming. With extensive experience spanning the gaming, hotel, and restaurant industries (as well as Law), Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Join Keith and Michael as they explore the strateg...

In this episode of Dollars and Drivers, Keith Kefgen sits down with USA Today best-selling author and strategic execution expert Dave Garrison to discuss how collective alignment can transform organizations from the inside out. Garrison shares insights from The Buy-In™ Advantage, exploring how clarity, collaboration, and shared purpose drive measurable results. With his experience as a top-rated s...

In this episode of Dollars and Drivers , Keith Kefgen speaks with Marco Roca and Marco Roca Jr. about building a legacy through abundance, innovation, and vision in hospitality real estate. The father-son duo reflects on lessons learned across generations, the power of collaboration, and how they’re redefining the future of hotel development and investment with purpose and passion.

In this episode of Dollars and Drivers, Keith Kefgen sits down with hospitality and real estate leader Monty Bennett to explore how humility and discernment shape effective leadership. Bennett shares how his journey has informed his approach to decision-making, the balance between conviction and adaptability, and why leading with character builds lasting trust and success.

In this episode, Keith sits down with Jonathan Halkyard, Chief Financial Officer of MGM Resorts International, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, trust, and resilience in hospitality and gaming. Together, Keith and Jonathan explore what it takes to lead with integrity at scale, why sustaining trust is essential in both business and personal leadership, and how his experiences continue...

What truly sets exceptional leaders apart? In this episode, Allison Reid, former Chief Global Growth Officer at Aimbridge Hospitality, shares why curiosity is one of the most overlooked drivers of career success and business growth. Drawing from her leadership experience in hotel real estate, Allison shows how asking better questions, staying open-minded, and leading with curiosity can spark innov...

In this episode, Richard Stockton, CEO of Braemar Hotels & Resorts, shares insights into the dynamic world of hotel real estate. From market challenges to growth opportunities, he discusses the strategies, risks, and rewards that come with leading a luxury hospitality portfolio in today’s ever-changing landscape.

This week on Dollars and Drivers, we are joined by former President and CEO of CorePoint Lodging, Keith Cline to discuss how he navigated transactions throughout his career.

Welcome back to Dollars & Drivers! We are joined by John Scott, former President and CEO of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Belmond Hotels, and current Senior Advisor to TPG Global and Founder of Park House Dallas. He thoughtfully describes building his career in an unexpected non-linear path.

Carlos Rodriguez Junior, Co-Founder, President, and COO of Driftwood Capital touches on the subjects of family business and explains how Driftwood has navigated and thrived through uncertain times throughout the pandemic.

Keith Space shares with us the ways Fort Hospitality handled the COVID-19 pandemic from the start.

JP speaks eloquently about why being different can be a great asset in today's world. Being “like minded” may be good for collegiality, but not so for problem-solving and innovation. He also discusses that it was the things he did during “extra time” that made him promotable and visible.

Mark speaks eloquently about how his work and self-identity are intertwined. He cites an essay he wrote years ago entitled, “A Life Unlived”, where he wanted to make sure he did not regret his life choices later on in life. The essay has become a roadmap to his drive and purpose as an adult. Mark is outspoken about the gratitude he has for the life he is able to lead and all of the people that hav...

Laurie speaks so passionately about growing up with multiple role models who told her “you can be whatever you want to be”. She goes on to tell the funny story of wanting to be a “hotdog lady” when she was a kid. Luckily for the legal profession, she went on to law school and worked at CBS for nearly two decades. She formed the Corporate Counsel Women of Color® in 2004 to provide a support network...

My former teammate and close friend, Mike Cahill speaks about how his business platform of transparency has been a welcome change to the traditional model in brokerage. He also speaks about the importance of starting your career right and finding your passion before you start “counting $$$”. The money will come to those that work hard, have passion and find a niche worth pursuing.

In this episode of Dollars and Drivers, Jim Alderman, CEO of Radisson Hotels speaks about the driving forces in his childhood and upbringing that have pushed him to succeed. Jim explains how the fear of failure and competitive spirit can drive success.

John talks about the connective tissue of his career as the focus on motivating and leading people. He also opines on changing and adapting as a key to his success. Most importantly he details what “principled living’ is all about.

In this episode, Kevin Henry talks about resilience and the importance of hard work. He also speaks candidly about social justice and the fact that we need to educate, not point fingers.