David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC

David is a hotel and waterpark consultant and appraiser with expertise in the comprehensive analysis of leisure properties. He has completed studies on more than 3,000 existing and proposed hotels throughout North America across all chain-scales, including economy, full-service, extended-stay, luxury hotels and resorts, casinos, and waterpark resorts. He has also analyzed a wide range of amusements parks, ski resorts, golf courses, and conference centers. His expertise is in preparing market and feasibility studies, impact analysis, appraisals, financial analysis and performance projections, site selection, and litigation support. Since 1987, David has provided consulting services to banks, hotel companies, developers, management companies, and other parties involved in the lodging and leisure industry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in 1984. David holds certified general real estate appraiser licenses in Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Anne Gompel, MAI, CHIA

Anne is an international multilingual hospitality consultant and appraiser. She prepares appraisals, market feasibility studies, economic impact studies, and impact studies for hotels and leisure properties throughout North America and internationally. Anne is an MAI-designated appraiser building on a wide range of operational experience in hotels and restaurants. In addition to her hospitality and leisure experience, Anne is a highly regarded expert in analyzing and evaluating highly complex real estate assets, including senior housing and hospitals. During her career, she has worked at large real estate advisory firms including BBG, CBRE, and Horwath Consulting in addition to smaller firms including Cooper Valuation Group, Appraisal Research Counselors, and Blazejack & Company. She has hospitality operational managerial experience with hotels in France and Ireland. She holds an MBA in Hospitality Management from ESSEC/Cornell University and a law degree from the University of Caen in France. She is a certified general real estate appraiser.

Joseph Pierce, MAI
Director of Appraisal & Consulting Services

Joseph is an MAI designated appraiser and hospitality consultant. He prepares appraisals, market feasibility studies, and impact studies nationally for a wide range of hospitality properties. He has extensive experience in operations and accounting in hotels and resorts. He has been a hospitality consultant and appraiser since 2003 and holds a Certified Real Estate Appraiser License in the state of Ohio. During his career he has also managed an independently-owned hotel, The Talbott Hotel in Chicago and served as a Controller for both Marriott and Renaissance Hotels. Joseph has an MBA from Michigan State University’s School of Hospitality Business and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the State University of New York at Brockport.

Adam Zarczynski, CHIA

Adam brings his expertise in financial statement analysis, competitive benchmarking, market analysis, and operations. He prepares appraisals, market feasibility studies, economic impact studies, and impact studies throughout the United States. Throughout his career, Adam has analyzed many markets and hotels at price points ranging from budget/economy to luxury hotels and resorts. Prior to his tenure at Hotel & Leisure Advisors, he worked with Doradus Partners, where he evaluated several hotel investment opportunities throughout the United States, focusing on the Southeast. Prior to joining Doradus, he was a member of the opening team for a 120-room Towneplace Suites in Huntsville, Alabama. Adam has operational experience in a variety of hotels and resorts in the states of New York and South Carolina, and the Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy. In addition, Adam worked as a real property appraiser in Jamestown, New York where he was responsible for appraisal records of over 14,000 parcels and assisted property owners with the valuation process.

Stephen Szczygiel, CHIA

Stephen brings his expertise in process improvement, financial analysis, competitive benchmarking, market analysis, and operations. He prepares appraisals, market feasibility studies, economic impact studies, and impact studies throughout the United States. Prior to joining H&LA, Stephen was Director of Food & Beverage with several Hilton branded properties, Assistant General Manager for XfinityLive! and spent many years in the casino industry as Manager of Food & Beverage for Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. Stephen has had direct P&L accountability for operations exceeding $10M+ and has facilitated Kaizen Process Improvement Seminars throughout the country during his tenure in casinos. In addition to Steve’s operational experience, he studied Culinary Arts at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Stephen earned his Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, with focus on Casino Operations, and Minor in Business Administration from Drexel University. Steve is a registered real estate appraiser assistant in Ohio.

Anthony DiPonio, CHIA

Anthony prepares appraisals, market feasibility studies, economic impact studies, and impact studies throughout the United States. Anthony’s expertise is in the evaluation of hospitality and leisure properties, including hotels, resorts, waterparks, golf courses and other leisure real estate. He has expertise in financial statement analysis, competitive benchmarking, market analysis, and operations. Prior to his tenure at Hotel & Leisure Advisors, he worked in management roles at eight hotels throughout the Midwest United States. As Director of Hotel Operations for the Element Hotel in Detroit, his property was in the top 10 within the brand for Intent to Recommend, Cleanliness, and Staff Service. Anthony earned a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University’s School of Hospitality Business, and a certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management from Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

Kyle Mossman
Senior Research Analyst

Kyle conducts research related to the hospitality industry and assists with report writing. He maintains our key data and other information related to the various markets we study as part of our assignments. Kyle also reviews and edits our reports for grammar, style, and accuracy. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Otterbein College and his Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from Kent State University.

Heidi Banak
Operations Manager

Heidi manages business functions and marketing efforts for H&LA. These efforts include administering H&LA’s website, email marketing, writing blog posts, responding to RFP’s, and maintaining all other marketing materials. She also supports our consultants by conducting research related to the hospitality industry. In addition, she reviews and edits our reports for grammar, style, and accuracy. Heidi received her Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University.

Michael Weber
Data and Technology Manager

Mike manages the technology and data functions within H&LA.  He provides support to our consulting team on all technology platforms and monitors and maintains our industry specific databases. Mike also reviews and edits our reports for grammar, style, and accuracy. His prior experience includes work as an insurance analyst and as a mathematics and statistics instructor. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from Wright State University and his M.A. in Mathematics Education from Kent State University.

Gina Svat
Research Analyst

Gina provides our consultants and team members with support in research, data collection, fact-checking, report writing, editing, and marketing. Her previous work experience focused on document production, including research, writing, editing, and proofreading, along with database maintenance, marketing, and project management.

Sally Weisbarth

Sally manages the day-to-day workings of the Cleveland office.  She is also responsible for client billing, accounts payable, and payroll.  She has worked with H&LA since its inception, gradually increasing her responsibilities as needed.  Sally has experience serving as finance manager for several United Methodist churches processing contributions as well as accounts payable and financial reporting. Before that, she worked at a CPA firm handling the bookkeeping for several companies and processing corporate and individual tax returns. Sally holds a Bachelor of Science from Grove City College.