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OUR LEADERSHIP

Delivering outstanding service to our customers and exceptional returns to our Investors.

Griffin Stafford Hospitality’s principals each have thirty plus years of experience in the hospitality industry. In addition to their operational expertise, they have extensive experience in commercial real estate and specifically, practical knowledge of the hospitality real estate sector.

Griffin Stafford has assembled a talented group of professionals to manage the operation of its hotels, manage the physical assets and oversee the development, acquisition, and disposition of its assets. Hotel general managers are required to meet or exceed the company’s high bar for operational expertise, and just as important, to embrace the company’s strong service culture. Griffin Stafford’s leadership places a high value on managers who are committed to providing exceptional service to our guests and other clients. We understand that the most powerful marketing message comes from well-satisfied customers who advocate for the hotel.

Griffin Stafford’s principals also place great emphasis on thoughtful and proven asset management. The company believes that each hotel asset must be properly maintained and updated as needed in order to be attractive to its customers. No matter how well the general manager and his or her staff deliver service to their guests, the guest experience will be undermined if the hotel is in disrepair or is significantly outdated compared to its competition.

In the area of hotel acquisition, development and disposition, Griffin Stafford’s principals have brought together a group of professionals, inside and outside of the company, who have years of experience in hotel development, the acquisition of operating hotels and the disposition of owned hotels. We understand how to manage development costs; properly value existing assets for acquisition; and how to best price and time the sale of owned assets to capture the maximum return for investors.


Joel Griffin
Principal

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Joel Griffin
Principal

Joel Griffin co-founded Griffin Stafford Hospitality in 2003. Since then, he has led Griffin Stafford as an asset management company, active developer, and acquirer of premium-branded hotels. His aptitude for hospitality, cultivated through a multifaceted career in operation and development, is crucial to the successful returns achieved for Griffin Stafford and partner investors.

Mr. Griffin is a past recipient of the American Hotel & Lodging Association State Leadership Award and the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Lodging Operator of the Year.  He is an appointed member to the North Carolina Department of Commerce Travel & Tourism Board.

Mr. Griffin serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association and is a past-chair of the organization. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Hilton Owner Advisory Board, North Carolina Hospitality Education Foundation, Cabarrus County Convention & Visitor Bureau and Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association.

Mr. Griffin received a bachelor’s degree from Houghton College.


Doug Stafford
Principal

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Doug Stafford
Principal

Doug Stafford co-founded Griffin Stafford Hospitality in 2003.

In partnership with co-founder Joel Griffin, he identifies assets for acquisition and/or sites for development.

Mr. Stafford heads-up project development and equity placements for each Griffin Stafford hotel asset under management. He developed his skills in commercial real estate with three of North Carolina’s largest hospitality and entertainment related organizations before the founding of Griffin Stafford.

Mr. Stafford currently serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Railroad Company, Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County and Cooperative Christian Ministry. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Uwharrie Capital Corporation.

Mr. Stafford received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Carolina University.


Garrett Jenio
Vice President

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Garrett Jenio
Vice President

Since serving in the US Navy and earning his bachelor’s degree in hospitality from Michigan State University, Garrett has accrued more than 20 years of hospitality industry experience.

In addition to working as a general manager for properties from Lansing, Michigan to Savannah, Georgia, he has hands-on sales and food and beverage experience, giving him a broad perspective of hospitality demands. At Griffin Stafford, Garrett has served in both general manager and regional director of operations roles.

He is an active leader in his community where he has served as a board member for the American Red Cross, the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Rotary Club of SW Cabarrus County.


Owen Parker
Area General Manager

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Owen Parker
Area General Manager

Owen Parker has 20 plus years of hospitality industry expertise.

Starting his career with Bissell Hotels, he managed the company’s exclusive Park Hotel (now Charlotte Marriott SouthPark), Courtyard by Marriott, and Ballantyne Resort & Lodge in South Charlotte. From there, Mr. Parker moved to the historic town of New Bern, North Carolina where he served as general manager of the Hilton Riverfront and Skysail Condos.

In 2009, he joined Griffin Stafford as general manager for the Hilton Garden Inn – Charlotte/Concord. Mr. Parker serves on the Boards of Directors of the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Charlotte Chapter of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA).  He is also the chair elect of the Cabarrus County Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Parker received his Bachelor of Science degree in hospitality management from Appalachian State University.


Kimberly Starnes
CPA, Controller

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Kimberly Starnes
CPA, Controller

A licensed CPA, Kim joined Griffin Stafford Hospitality in 2008, bringing over 20 years of senior level accounting and financial experience to our business.

She manages all accounting functions for Griffin Stafford, including financial and cash flow reporting, and internal audits.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration with a concentration in finance, and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

She previously worked as a public accountant for two large North Carolina certified public accounting firms and as financial director for Piedmont Residential Development Center in Charlotte. Kim is a past recipient of the NC Virginia Franks Professional Achievement Award.

My family has successfully invested in various types of commercial real estate for a number of years. Our first hotel investment was with Griffin Stafford Hospitality over ten years ago. Today, we are invested in four Griffin Stafford hotels and are planning to invest in hotel number five. We couldn’t be more pleased.
– Investor in Four Griffin Stafford Hospitality Hotels