Home | Our Team
Meet the Jackson Hotel Management Team
Our corporate staff at Jackson Hotel Management has earned a reputation for integrity, innovation, personalized service, and success.
We look forward to using our combined experience to assist your hospitality asset.
We look forward to using our combined experience to assist your hospitality asset.
Brent Jackson CHA
President
Brent’s expertise and consistency in high guest satisfaction at his properties has been recognized by the hotel industry. In 2013, Brent earned the IHG® Best of the Best Holiday Inn General Manager of the Year Award. Shortly after joining Jackson Hotel Management, Brent guided the team at the Clarion Pointe Harrisonburg as they earned the 2021 Ring of Honor Award from Choice Hotels. The Ring of Honor Award is the highest of the Choice Hotels guest satisfaction awards and is only given to the top 1% of hotels in each brand.
Brent believes strongly in volunteering with organizations to grow and advance the hotel industry. Brent volunteers for the IHG Owners Association (IHGOA) as a working group member; having held roles on the Global Loyalty Committee (during the launch of the IHG One Rewards loyalty program), Governance Committee, People Committee, chair of the Emerging Leaders Network Executive Committee, Americas Regional Council (ARC) - Survival & Recovery Task Force, Chair Leadership Committee, Holiday Inn Committee, and Holiday Inn Food & Beverage Task Force.
Brent also holds volunteer roles with Choice Hotels International and the Choice Hotel Owners Council (CHOC). Brent is vice-director of the Regional Advisory Board (RAB) for Region 4 of CHOC and serves as a National Delegate (serving on the Clarion Committee, vice-chair of Commercial Committee, and the chair of Choice Privileges Subcommittee). Further, he serves as a founding member of the Choice Hotels Rising Stars Advisory Board and as a member of the Rising Stars Program. Rising Stars is a new tier of the Choice Hotels Prominent Client Program that focuses on promoting development and mentorship opportunities for aspiring owners to grow their portfolios.
Prior to assuming the role of President of Jackson Hotel Management, Brent served as the General Manager of the Holiday Inn & Suites Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows dating to when the property opened in 2008. During his time as General Manager at the property, the Holiday Inn & Suites Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows was a three-time IHG® Torchbearer Award Winner, two-time IHG® Quality Excellence Award Winner and won the 2010 IHG® Newcomer Award. During his tenure as General Manager, his hotel colleagues earned a combined twelve IHG® Best of the Best Holiday Inn Awards. In 2018, Brent was invited by IHG® to serve as a member of the Holiday Inn General Manager Advisory Board (GMAB). While in the General Manager role, he also held the position of Regional Manager of Operations with multi-property management of the Holiday Inn Winchester SE-Historic Gateway, Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club, and Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar. In addition to this experience, Brent has worked in casino operations and has held management positions in restaurants, bars, golf courses, and hotels. Brent has demonstrated quality leadership from a young age. Brent was active in scouting throughout his formative years, serving in numerous leadership roles and earning the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.
Brent is a graduate of James Madison University, earning a BBA in Hospitality & Tourism Management from the JMU College of Business. During his time at JMU, Brent earned the 2002 'David Grimm Award' for top overall outstanding student in the Hospitality Program.
Brent believes strongly in volunteering with organizations to grow and advance the hotel industry. Brent volunteers for the IHG Owners Association (IHGOA) as a working group member; having held roles on the Global Loyalty Committee (during the launch of the IHG One Rewards loyalty program), Governance Committee, People Committee, chair of the Emerging Leaders Network Executive Committee, Americas Regional Council (ARC) - Survival & Recovery Task Force, Chair Leadership Committee, Holiday Inn Committee, and Holiday Inn Food & Beverage Task Force.
Brent also holds volunteer roles with Choice Hotels International and the Choice Hotel Owners Council (CHOC). Brent is vice-director of the Regional Advisory Board (RAB) for Region 4 of CHOC and serves as a National Delegate (serving on the Clarion Committee, vice-chair of Commercial Committee, and the chair of Choice Privileges Subcommittee). Further, he serves as a founding member of the Choice Hotels Rising Stars Advisory Board and as a member of the Rising Stars Program. Rising Stars is a new tier of the Choice Hotels Prominent Client Program that focuses on promoting development and mentorship opportunities for aspiring owners to grow their portfolios.
Prior to assuming the role of President of Jackson Hotel Management, Brent served as the General Manager of the Holiday Inn & Suites Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows dating to when the property opened in 2008. During his time as General Manager at the property, the Holiday Inn & Suites Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows was a three-time IHG® Torchbearer Award Winner, two-time IHG® Quality Excellence Award Winner and won the 2010 IHG® Newcomer Award. During his tenure as General Manager, his hotel colleagues earned a combined twelve IHG® Best of the Best Holiday Inn Awards. In 2018, Brent was invited by IHG® to serve as a member of the Holiday Inn General Manager Advisory Board (GMAB). While in the General Manager role, he also held the position of Regional Manager of Operations with multi-property management of the Holiday Inn Winchester SE-Historic Gateway, Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club, and Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar. In addition to this experience, Brent has worked in casino operations and has held management positions in restaurants, bars, golf courses, and hotels. Brent has demonstrated quality leadership from a young age. Brent was active in scouting throughout his formative years, serving in numerous leadership roles and earning the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.
Brent is a graduate of James Madison University, earning a BBA in Hospitality & Tourism Management from the JMU College of Business. During his time at JMU, Brent earned the 2002 'David Grimm Award' for top overall outstanding student in the Hospitality Program.
Tom Jackson CHA
Chief Executive Officer
Thomas Jackson is a second generation hotelier with a Hospitality Degree from the School of Hospitality Administration at Florida State University. He is also a Certified Hotel Administrator.
Thomas Jackson serves, or has served, on the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association, Virginia Hotel & Lodging Association, Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, Virginia Restaurant Association and the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at James Madison University. Thomas was President of the Virginia Hotel & Lodging Association, and is Chairman Emeritus of VHMA.
Thomas Jackson has been recognized by James Madison University with the “Dolly Madison Excellence in Hospitality Award”; by the American Hotel & Lodging Association with the “State Leadership Award”; by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce as “Entrepreneur of the Year” and by Sheraton Hotels with an “Award of Excellence” and “General Manager of the Year”.
Thomas Jackson serves, or has served, on the Board of Directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association, Virginia Hotel & Lodging Association, Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, Virginia Restaurant Association and the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at James Madison University. Thomas was President of the Virginia Hotel & Lodging Association, and is Chairman Emeritus of VHMA.
Thomas Jackson has been recognized by James Madison University with the “Dolly Madison Excellence in Hospitality Award”; by the American Hotel & Lodging Association with the “State Leadership Award”; by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce as “Entrepreneur of the Year” and by Sheraton Hotels with an “Award of Excellence” and “General Manager of the Year”.
Mary Bayer
Corporate Director of Sales
Mary Bayer has an award-winning record as Director of Sales. Prior to joining Jackson Hotel Management, Mary served as Director of Sales of the award-winning Holiday Inn & Suites Front Royal Blue Ridge Shadows and Regional Director of Sales for Navika Capital Group. In the role of Director of Sales, Mary provided sales, marketing, and revenue management leadership for the entire hotel and resort; including an 18-hole championship golf club with event space and grill, 196-seat franchise restaurant, over 5000 square feet of meeting space, and 124-room franchise hotel. Further, in her Regional Director of Sales role, she led the sales and revenue management teams at other Virginia properties for the hotel ownership group.
Mary is a three-time winner of the IHG Best of the Best 'Holiday Inn Director of Sales of the Year' award. This award is the highest achievement within the IHG family of brands and winners are selected based on performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities and by providing outstanding or unique service to the property, to the guests, and to the community.
During her career, Mary has overseen sales efforts for hotels at brands including Marriott, Hilton, Choice Hotels, IHG, Carlson, and Wyndham. She graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hotel Restaurant Management. Mary is a performance driven professional maximizing sales & marketing through a passion for maintaining the highest standards in leadership and staff development; with emphasis on revenue generation using exceptional interpersonal, motivational, and presentation skills. Mary is highly regarded as being decisive, analytical, big-picture focused, and for always leading by example.
Mary also focuses her time on helping others, serving on the board of many service organizations including Salvation Army, United Way, and March of Dimes. Further, she has held hospitality industry volunteer roles with the Front Royal-Warren County (VA) Joint Tourism Advisory Committee, Greater Rochester Visitors Association Visitor Industry Council, Winchester Society of Human Resource Managers, and Women in Buses Council (WIB) – a program of the American Bus Association. Mary also recently served as an Adjunct Professor in the Workforce Development Office at Lord Fairfax Community College.
Mary is a three-time winner of the IHG Best of the Best 'Holiday Inn Director of Sales of the Year' award. This award is the highest achievement within the IHG family of brands and winners are selected based on performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities and by providing outstanding or unique service to the property, to the guests, and to the community.
During her career, Mary has overseen sales efforts for hotels at brands including Marriott, Hilton, Choice Hotels, IHG, Carlson, and Wyndham. She graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hotel Restaurant Management. Mary is a performance driven professional maximizing sales & marketing through a passion for maintaining the highest standards in leadership and staff development; with emphasis on revenue generation using exceptional interpersonal, motivational, and presentation skills. Mary is highly regarded as being decisive, analytical, big-picture focused, and for always leading by example.
Mary also focuses her time on helping others, serving on the board of many service organizations including Salvation Army, United Way, and March of Dimes. Further, she has held hospitality industry volunteer roles with the Front Royal-Warren County (VA) Joint Tourism Advisory Committee, Greater Rochester Visitors Association Visitor Industry Council, Winchester Society of Human Resource Managers, and Women in Buses Council (WIB) – a program of the American Bus Association. Mary also recently served as an Adjunct Professor in the Workforce Development Office at Lord Fairfax Community College.
Adam Jackson CHA | CRME
Vice President - Hotel Operations
Adam Jackson is a third generation hotelier with a Hospitality Degree (Bachelor of Business Administration) from the College of Business at James Madison University. He has earned industry certifications from AHLA as a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and a Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME).
In his current role, Adam functions as a strategic business leader over the Jackson Hotel Management hotel portfolio. Among his many responsibilities, Adam primarily works directly with the General Managers to develop and implement overall strategies, ensure implementation of brand standards and initiatives, play an integral role in Revenue Management, and assist in purchasing. He directly ensures all Jackson Hotel Management hotels meet brand standards, guest and owner needs, and associate satisfaction goals.
Adam is a member of the 2023 Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) Legislative Committee.
Prior to joining Jackson Hotel Management, Adam held many roles in the hospitality industry. He previously held the role of Quality Assurance Consultant with Wyndham Hotel Group; where he consulted with and inspected Ramada, Howard Johnson, Days Inn, Travelodge, and Super 8 properties. Adam also has prior hotel management experience, serving as the General Manager at the Comfort Inn in Harrisonburg, VA, General Manager of the Travelodge in Winchester, VA, and the General Manager at the Suburban Extended Stay in Stafford, VA. He also held the position of Interim Assistant General Manager for the Best Western Plus BWI in Elkridge, MD, Assistant General Manager at the Holiday Inn Historic Gateway in Winchester, VA, and Resort Operations Manager at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, VA.
In his current role, Adam functions as a strategic business leader over the Jackson Hotel Management hotel portfolio. Among his many responsibilities, Adam primarily works directly with the General Managers to develop and implement overall strategies, ensure implementation of brand standards and initiatives, play an integral role in Revenue Management, and assist in purchasing. He directly ensures all Jackson Hotel Management hotels meet brand standards, guest and owner needs, and associate satisfaction goals.
Adam is a member of the 2023 Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) Legislative Committee.
Prior to joining Jackson Hotel Management, Adam held many roles in the hospitality industry. He previously held the role of Quality Assurance Consultant with Wyndham Hotel Group; where he consulted with and inspected Ramada, Howard Johnson, Days Inn, Travelodge, and Super 8 properties. Adam also has prior hotel management experience, serving as the General Manager at the Comfort Inn in Harrisonburg, VA, General Manager of the Travelodge in Winchester, VA, and the General Manager at the Suburban Extended Stay in Stafford, VA. He also held the position of Interim Assistant General Manager for the Best Western Plus BWI in Elkridge, MD, Assistant General Manager at the Holiday Inn Historic Gateway in Winchester, VA, and Resort Operations Manager at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, VA.
Steven Graeff CPA
Pathway Controller - PBMares, LLP
Steve Graeff is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting. He is also a US Navy veteran who joined PBMares in 2019 as a Pathway Controller. Since joining PBMares his client portfolio has primarily focused on working with small to mid-sized commercial enterprises ranging from the hospitality industry, to wineries, medical and other service industries, as well as few tech start-ups. Steve uses his finance and business acumen to assist management in budget preparation, statistical and flux analysis, encourage efficiencies, as well as compliance to local, state, and federal reporting requirements.
Prior to working with PBMares Steve was the Director of Finance and Accounting for a Richmond, VA based non-profit. During his tenure there, Steve oversaw facility operations, hospital financial activities, a small gift shop, in addition to the over-all financial activity and health of the organization, including endowment investments and financial presentations to the Board of Directors.
Outside of work Steve is a member of his neighborhood community organization and can be found walking his dog, Gretchen, through the parks and streets of Richmond, Va.
Jackson Hotel Management partnered with PBMares’ Pathway team for Finance and Accounting Outsource services in early 2020. Pathway performs day-to-day transaction processing and Controller services. Steven Graeff serves as the Pathway controller to ensure internal financial reports meet the JHM management team's operational and decision making needs, and to provide reliable reports for tax preparation.
Prior to working with PBMares Steve was the Director of Finance and Accounting for a Richmond, VA based non-profit. During his tenure there, Steve oversaw facility operations, hospital financial activities, a small gift shop, in addition to the over-all financial activity and health of the organization, including endowment investments and financial presentations to the Board of Directors.
Outside of work Steve is a member of his neighborhood community organization and can be found walking his dog, Gretchen, through the parks and streets of Richmond, Va.
Jackson Hotel Management partnered with PBMares’ Pathway team for Finance and Accounting Outsource services in early 2020. Pathway performs day-to-day transaction processing and Controller services. Steven Graeff serves as the Pathway controller to ensure internal financial reports meet the JHM management team's operational and decision making needs, and to provide reliable reports for tax preparation.
Jim Peck CHA
Senior General Manager—Maryland
Jim Peck joined Jackson Hotel Management in 2003 as General Manager of the 201- room Comfort Inn Gold Coast in Ocean City, MD. Jim previously served as General Manager of the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel & Conference Center, also located in Ocean City. In other experience he held management positions at The Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, MD; Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, D.C.; Four Seasons Hotel, Austin, TX; Sheraton Royal Biscayne Resort & Racquet Club, Key Biscayne, FL; and the Tidewater Inn, Easton, MD.
Jim is a graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Hospitality Management. With 35 years experience in the hotel industry, he has served in senior management positions in various properties ranging from mid-scale, limited service to luxury full service hotels and in both franchised and independent properties. With a focus on achieving optimum guest satisfaction Jim has led his properties to many achievement awards over the years, including several Gold awards from Choice Hotels and Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) hotel of the year. Jim is also very involved in the community. He has served 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Hotel and Lodging Association, participated on the Governors Economic Development Committee, and as a board member on the Greater Ocean City Golf Association. Jim's proven track record in maintaining both guest and employee satisfaction, financial performance and experience in physical plant management has been a positive influence on each of the properties he has been associated with.
Jim is a graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Hospitality Management. With 35 years experience in the hotel industry, he has served in senior management positions in various properties ranging from mid-scale, limited service to luxury full service hotels and in both franchised and independent properties. With a focus on achieving optimum guest satisfaction Jim has led his properties to many achievement awards over the years, including several Gold awards from Choice Hotels and Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) hotel of the year. Jim is also very involved in the community. He has served 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Hotel and Lodging Association, participated on the Governors Economic Development Committee, and as a board member on the Greater Ocean City Golf Association. Jim's proven track record in maintaining both guest and employee satisfaction, financial performance and experience in physical plant management has been a positive influence on each of the properties he has been associated with.
Ben Wilkins
Senior General Manager—Virginia
With a robust career in hospitality since 2007, Benjamin Wilkins has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a passion for leadership. Starting as a Night Auditor, they swiftly ascended through various roles, showcasing a strong work ethic and exceptional customer service skills. Recognized as a management mentor, Ben has not only efficiently managed teams but also played a pivotal role in cultivating talent and fostering positive work environments.
Beyond the hospitality sector, Ben has extended their influence to the non-profit realm. Holding board positions in local organizations such as VOICE [Vocalists Offering Inspirational Community Enrichment] and Friendly City Players, Ben brings their leadership acumen and passion for community service to these roles. Currently excelling in the role of General Manager at Clarion Pointe Harrisonburg, Ben combines strategic thinking with operational expertise to ensure seamless operations and exceptional guest experiences with Jackson Hotel Management.
Beyond the hospitality sector, Ben has extended their influence to the non-profit realm. Holding board positions in local organizations such as VOICE [Vocalists Offering Inspirational Community Enrichment] and Friendly City Players, Ben brings their leadership acumen and passion for community service to these roles. Currently excelling in the role of General Manager at Clarion Pointe Harrisonburg, Ben combines strategic thinking with operational expertise to ensure seamless operations and exceptional guest experiences with Jackson Hotel Management.
