WILLIAM J. HOFFMAN, President & CEO
William Hoffman is president and CEO of Trigild, a San Diego-based company he founded in 1976. He has over 30 years experience as an attorney, is a California licensed real estate broker and has served as the court appointed receiver for over 1,500 assets, among them hotels, commercial office buildings, retail shopping centers, residential projects and restaurants.
In addition, Mr. Hoffman is recognized by the American Hotel and Lodging Association as a Certified Hotel Administrator. He is a former president of the California Lodging Industry Association, and served seven years on CLIA's Board of Directors.
Currently, he serves on American Bar Association's Hotels, Resorts & Tourism Executive Committee, as well as on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Receivership Forum. He is also a member of the Turnaround Management Association, the Commercial Mortgage Securities Association, the American Lodging Industry Association and served on the California Tourism Selection Committee.
Mr. Hoffman has authored hundreds of articles for various hospitality, real estate, business, finance, and general publications. He is a frequent lecturer at conferences and conventions for hoteliers, bankers, and lawyers and was instrumental in developing the annual Trigild Lender Conference, an increasingly important national forum for the financial industry.
His unique blend of expertise in management, law, and real estate qualifies him as an expert witness-and has led State and Federal Courts to appoint him as Receiver, Trustee or Custodian for troubled real estate assets across North America.
MARTIN J. GIARDINA, Executive Vice President & COO
Mr. Giardina has over 30 years of experience in business and commercial operations, ranging from floor management to the boardroom. He has been a restaurant owner, and has held a top-level executive position for several national restaurant chains, including a leadership position in the franchise division.
Since joining Trigild, Mr. Giardina has parlayed his experience and expertise to include hotels, convenience stores, gas stations, and many other special asset types. In his role as COO for Trigild, Mr. Giardina oversees the day-to-day operation of all Trigild managed properties, working closely with the corporate office personnel and all on-site managers. He is also involved consulting services offered to Trigild clients.
Mr. Giardina is a graduate of Illinois State University.
JUDY MAXWELL HOFFMAN, Executive Vice President
A long time Trigild principal, Judy Hoffman has directed the marketing activities and provided consulting services for over 300 different properties in a diversity of industries, including hotels, restaurants, convenience stores, assisted care senior housing, apartment/condo projects and water park/entertainment facilities.
In addition, she founded and conceptualized the annual Trigild Lender Conference nine years ago, which has grown steadily, evolving into one of the country’s preeminent forums for the financial industry.
In her role as executive vice president, Ms. Hoffman is a member of the company’s executive committee -- directing all business development activities and overseeing all Trigild-managed properties’ sales and marketing activities. She is a graduate of San Diego State University.
NICHOLAS NIGHTINGALE, VP of Accounting & Information Systems
Mr. Nightingale heads Trigild’s technology and accounting systems and ensures that his department is expert at accumulating, managing, and disseminating information to Trigild Team members, as well as our clients.
Mr. Nightingale began his career as a systems analyst for a Canadian hotel franchise where he advanced to the role of Corporate IT Manager. A Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer and Database Administrator, Mr. Nightingale has been managing and directing IT systems in the hospitality industry since 1988.
Mr. Nightingale is a graduate of Trent University.
CAROL CHEN, Controller
Ms. Chen has been with Trigild since 1994. She oversees corporate accounting and insurance matters for Trigild and its managed properties. She also handles special projects relating to Trigild’s properties, including forensic audits.
Prior to working with Trigild, Ms. Chen earned her CPA with a "Big 4" accounting firm and spent many years as controller at a major hotel company, both on site and in the corporate office. Her experience there included opening a new 800-room hotel.
Ms. Chen is a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles.
KEVIN BERRY, Vice President of Hotel Operations
Kevin Berry brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to his position with Trigild as the Vice President of Hotel Operations where he has managed the operations of over100 hotels. When Trigild is named receiver on a hotel, Mr. Berry oversees the takeover ensuring that all aspects are covered, and leads the turnaround team to improve the hotel’s operations and financial results. He has directed the conversion of independent hotels into franchises and monitored the construction and opening of new hotels. Mr. Berry also oversees the operations of the hotels Trigild managed on a long-term basis. Mr. Berry has held positions as General Manager, Operations Director, and Controller at both independent and franchised hotels, and worked with numerous full-service and limited service franchises including Marriott, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Comfort Inns, La Quinta Inn, Days Inn and Ramada Inn. He is a graduate of University of Colorado.
JASON HULL, Managing Director, Head of Commercial Real Estate
Accomplished in real estate management, operations and strategic planning, Mr. Hull is responsible for maximizing value on Trigild-managed real estate assets, and is also charged with developing new business opportunities. Prior to joining Trigild, he was a senior acquisition director with Interwest Capital, a real estate firm that acquires distressed debt and real estate, and was also a development coordinator and senior analyst with Cherokee Investment Partners, a real estate private equity fund that specializes in mixed use developments of environmentally contaminated properties. In addition, he has extensive experience in city and municipal involvement and has been involved in numerous mixed use entitlement and development projects. Mr. Hull served over six years as a Navy SEAL -- and was decorated for valor in both Afghanistan and Iraq. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he earned his MBA at Duke University.
RANDY HULCE, Managing Director, Hotels
With many years of management, sales and marketing, and acquisitions/dispositions experience as a senior level hospitality industry executive, Randy Hulce is in charge of maximizing value on Trigild-managed hotel properties throughout the country.
He was previously CEO/owner of Executive Guidance Inc., focusing on advising lenders and owners regarding hotel performance in operations efficiency, sales and marketing, revenue management and strategic options for exit or retention strategies. Prior to that, he was vice president/asset management for Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc., directing capital investment project management and third party management operations for luxury hotels such as Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites, Renaissance and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. He also served as president/CEO of Sunstone Hotel Management Inc., and was charged with converting a startup REIT of eight hotels to a professionally managed company of seventy properties with over 10,000 rooms. In addition, he was senior vice president of operations for La Quinta Inn and Suites and senior vice president of asset management for Lennar/Lehman Brothers, supervising an REO portfolio of over thirty deed in lieu managed assets. For 14 years, he worked for Holiday Inn Worldwide in various executive level positions, spearheading the Holiday Inn Express launch.
Hulce holds an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University.
KELLEY A. MCLAREN, Manager-Receiver Services
Kelley A. McLaren acts as associate receiver for over a dozen projects and assisted in over 100 receivership appointments since she joined Trigild in September of 2006. Ms. McLaren is responsible for managing the receiver services department at Trigild, and she also prepares court documents for the receiver’s review, maintains relationships between attorneys and key people for the project, and monitors cases from start to finish. Ms. McLaren was appointed to the Board of Directors of the San Diego Receiver’s Forum and is also a member of the California Receiver’s Forum, contributor to eTips monthly newsletter, and is the co-editor of Trigild Deskbook – State by State Guide to Foreclosure and Receiverships. Ms. McLaren is a graduate of San Diego State University.
KIM CODY, Managing Director
Based in Trigild's Atlanta office, Mr. Cody’s 25 plus years of experience brings Trigild an extensive background in operations, financing and management of commercial real estate. His Receivership experience began with the FDIC / RTC where he managed and liquidated extensive portfolios of commercial properties and commercial real estate whole loans and participations through one-off transactions, portfolio sales and CMBS. His experience includes land development, construction management, acquisitions and financial management including serving as Vice President of Finance for a tax credit investment firm. As principal of his firm Clear View Consulting, Mr. Cody provided contract underwriting services for CMBS and Fannie Mae lending and for acquisitions of mortgages and real estate to various Wall Street firms, private investors and capital management firms through intermediaries including Situs, Mortgage Ramp, Central Park Capital, and Yale Mortgage.
Mr. Cody holds an MS Real Estate and an MBA Finance, both from Georgia State University, Robinson College of Business. He holds a Bachelors degree majoring in political science, government and history from the University of Georgia.
JULES SHERWOOD, Senior Project Manager
Based in Trigild’s Phoenix office, Mr. Sherwood is responsible for managing and evaluating Trigild’s growing portfolio of non-performing assets.
Prior to joining Trigild, Mr. Sherwood was a land development manager for Shea Homes’ Trilogy Division in Phoenix where he designed and developed 800-2500 acre Master Planned Resort Golf Communities and managed all on-site commercial development. In addition, he was a project manager at KB Home in Phoenix – responsible for all aspects of entitlement and development of raw land for single family and multi-family use. Mr. Sherwood also served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy where he served as Navigator and legal officer on a guided missile destroyer.
Mr. Sherwood holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business Management from Cornell University and Master of Business Administration in Finance from Arizona State University. An Ironman triathlete, Mr. Sherwood is also a certified Master Scuba Diver, and holds a real estate license in Arizona.
MICHAEL DORRIS Esq., Senior Project Manager
A seasoned real estate professional as well as an attorney, Michael Dorris is responsible for managing and evaluating non-performing assets.
Prior to joining Trigild, he was a senior manager for Opus West Corporation, working out of its San Diego office to handle land acquisition opportunities, analyze investments, oversee outside attorneys and brokers and review/approve property management budgeting. He was also a development associate for Trammel Crow, where he was in charge of pre-development, construction and marketing for one of the largest real estate development and investment firms in the United States. In addition, he honed his legal skills as an associate attorney for De La Parte & Gilbert, a full service law firm in Tampa.
Dorris holds a Bachelor of Art’s Degree in philosophy from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg Florida, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration in finance from Emory University in Atlanta. He is a member of the California and Florida Bar Associations, a licensed California real estate broker, a LEED accredited professional and a member of the Urban Land Institute and NAIOP Young Leaders Programs.
ERIC KARNES, Project Manager
With experience in both the real estate development and finance industries, Eric Karnes concentrates his efforts on managing - and maximizing value on - Trigild's growing portfolio of office/retail, multifamily and new construction properties. Most recently, he was an assistant project manager with Pacific Coast Development in Newport Beach, conducting research and budget analysis, managing homeowners' associations and dealing with subcontractors for commercial and residential projects. He was also a client service associate for E*trade Australia and a senior investment specialist assistant at Northwester Mutual Investment Services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from San Diego State University.
TONI SANDERS, Human Resources Manager
Ms. Sanders oversees all hiring and maintenance of Trigild staff, which at times, numbers over 1,000 people. Her specialty is employee relations and she has extensive experience in corporate Human Resources for a variety of industries. Prior to joining Trigild, Ms. Sanders was an HR Manager for Pacific Advanced Civil Engineering – a company that received the Pinnacle award for Best Civil Engineering Firm to Work for in 2007 and 2008.
Ms. Sanders is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.
NICOLE D'ALESANDRO, Marketing and Conference Manager
Nicole D’Alesandro oversees special events, marketing and advertising programs for Trigild’s hotel properties, as well as for the corporate office. She joined the company in 2006 and quickly climbed the ranks to her current role. Her responsibilities include developing and directing marketing strategies -- including an emphasis on internet marketing, social media campaigns, graphic design and copywriting -- as well as facilitating, planning and coordinating the annual Trigild Lender Conference, which attracts more than 400 attendees. She is a graduate of Boston University.
RON POLOWY, Operations Manager
Mr. Polowy is an Operations Manager based in the Southeast. With his experience as a merchandise manager, consultant, operations director and quality control manager, Mr. Polowy brings a wealth of expertise to the Trigild team.
At his previous employer, Mr. Polowy was responsible for service contract negotiations, materials scheduling, designing, and implementing problem resolution strategies and coordinating resources to meet high customer service standards.
Mr. Polowy served proudly with the US Army and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Business from Southern Illinois University.
BASIL LEUNG, Operations Manager
Mr. Leung has been involved with the management of several different restaurant franchise operations on behalf of Trigild, including Sizzler and Perkins. A 25-year veteran of the restaurant industry, Mr. Leung began his career as a Store Manager in New York for Sizzler Restaurants. In 1993, he was promoted to Area Manager for Sizzler Restaurant Corporate and advanced to oversee their restaurants in New York and New Jersey.
Mr. Leung joined Trigild in 2000 and is based on the East Coast.
GWENDOLYN ROBERTS, Hotel Operations Manager
Gwen Roberts joined Trigild in 2002 and during her tenure has served as General Manager of the Best Western Alamogordo Inn located in New Mexico and the Best Western Kwatuknuk Inn in Montana. Additionally she has been the turnaround manager for five different hotels, assuming the GM role when Trigild first takes over management, and implementing the company’s systems and turning around its operations and marketing. Gwen assists with the revenue management of Trigild’s managed hotels working closely with the various online travel sites.
MELISSA ERICKSON, Hotel Operations Manager
With more than 20 years of management experience in the hospitality industry, Melissa has expertise in all facets of hotel operations, including sales and marketing, profit and loss management, staff relations/human resources and accounting. She previously owned and managed a general contracting firm, and has worked in management positions at such known brands as Hilton, Embassy Suites and Crown Sterling Suites. In her current position, she oversees and assists Trigild's general managers in all daily operations - including customer service, staff relations, financial reporting and building maintenance -- at hotel properties throughout the country. In addition, she assists in opening and closing procedures for properties, as well as helping facilitate takeovers. She holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Arizona State University.
JEFF FRENKEN, Operations Analyst
As a part of Trigild's Asset Management team, Jeff Frenken performs receivership takeovers, qualifies vendors and oversees all aspects of property management. He specializes in construction, commercial condominiums and retail centers but has experience with all product types. Before joining Trigild, Jeff assisted a local developer raise capital from joint venture partners and prior to that, he worked with a top ten commercial real estate brokerage firm. He is a distinguished graduate of San Diego State University and recipient of many scholarships and honors.
JIM HAUPERT, Regional Hotel Manager
Jim Haupert joined Trigild in August, 2007 and works closely with Trigild's hotel management team to help with staff selection, training and hotel pre-opening sales and marketing. He has franchise experience with the Westin and worked in hotel management for more than 20 years -- developing strategies to generate revenues, build dynamic staff and deliver top notch customer service -- and was previously a general manager for the Radisson Wilshire Plaza Hotel, a 385-room property in Los Angeles and the Cal Mar Suites Hotel in Santa Monica.
JENNIFER M. KEEF, Hotel Sales and Marketing Director
With 13 years of experience in hospitality management, sales and marketing, Keef has special expertise in hotel openings and overseeing major renovations. Her role at Trigild encompasses supervising sales and marketing programs for the company's hotels. Prior to joining Trigild, she was director of sales for Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, where she managed the sales team through a $17 million renovation - successfully repositioning the property following its completion. In addition, she has worked in executive sales positions for numerous high profile hotel chains, among them Doubletree, Holiday Inn and Quality Suites.
SCOTT LOVELL, Senior Project Manager
Responsible for managing and evaluating non-performing assets for Trigild, Scott Lovell is an experienced asset manager of commercial properties -- with additional expertise in land acquisitions and corporate real estate.
Prior to joining Trigild, he oversaw a portfolio of 2.2 million square feet of office and industrial properties throughout Southern California, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas -- creating strategic plans, completing hold/sell analysis and overseeing financial reporting and budgeting. He has helped in the sourcing, analysis, due diligence and closing of over 27 properties through various acquisitions and dispositions.
With a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate from the University of California, Irvine, he is fluent in Italian and conversant in German.
CHRIS GIBSON, Operations Analyst
As part of the Trigild operations team, Mr. Gibson's efforts focus on managing and maximizing value of Trigild's growing portfolio of office/retail, multifamily and new construction properties. Prior to joining Trigild, he worked as an acquisitions analyst with RedHill Realty Investors, a San Diego-based private equity real estate firm specializing in opportunistic multihousing investment. Mr. Gibson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in commercial real estate from Colorado State University. He is also an active member of Urban Land Institute’s Young Leaders Group.