Chris Sims

Principal - Executive Vice President

Steven McD. Smith has more than 30 years of experience in Hotel Operations with Chesapeake Hospitality, specializing in systems implementation, operational effectiveness, Food and Beverage operations and design, asset maintenance, business development and corporate strategy. Smith plays an integral role in Chesapeake’s philosophy of selective growth and strategic hotel and restaurant acquisitions.

A graduate of Washington & Lee University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Smith remains active in the National Restaurant Association and is the immediate past Chairman of the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM). Smith received the prestigious Schellhase Award from RAM in recognition of his significant contributions to the organization. He is also a member of the American Hotel Lodging Association and the Society of Human Resource Managers, and serves as an advisory board member of AACC Hotel Culinary Arts and Tourism Institute (HCAT).

Steven MCD. Smith

Principal - Executive Vice President

Steven McD. Smith has more than 30 years of experience in Hotel Operations with Chesapeake Hospitality, specializing in systems implementation, operational effectiveness, Food and Beverage operations and design, asset maintenance, business development and corporate strategy. Smith plays an integral role in Chesapeake’s philosophy of selective growth and strategic hotel and restaurant acquisitions.

A graduate of Washington & Lee University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Smith remains active in the National Restaurant Association and is the immediate past Chairman of the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM). Smith received the prestigious Schellhase Award from RAM in recognition of his significant contributions to the organization. He is also a member of the American Hotel Lodging Association and the Society of Human Resource Managers, and serves as an advisory board member of AACC Hotel Culinary Arts and Tourism Institute (HCAT).

Louis Schaab

Principal - Chief Financial Officer

As Chesapeake Hospitality’s CFO, Louis Schaab is responsible for all aspects of hotel and corporate finance and accounting functions, including hotel accounting and reporting. He regularly consults with clients to develop innovative and successful strategies to drive asset value and optimize returns, and oversees Chesapeake’s full-service accounting platform that provides complete payroll, accounts payable, cash flow management, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and financial statements.

With more than 20 years of finance and accounting experience, Schaab has extensive and recognized experience within the hospitality industry, most notably serving as senior vice president of finance at MeriStar Hotels and Resorts in Washington, D.C., where he built and managed a team of 15 finance and accounting professionals. Schaab also served as the principal/operating partner of portfolio management for Washington-based Allied Capital Corporation, successfully managing a portfolio of 40 hotel and real estate assets.

Schaab is a CPA licensed in Virginia and graduated with honors from James Madison University with a bachelor’s in accounting. He has also held Board of Directors seats at seven Allied Capital portfolio companies, is a member of the Board of Advisors for Therapeutic Recreation and Riding Center in Glenwood, Maryland, and has held board and advisory positions with several regional charitable organizations.

Clifford G. Ferrara

Principal - Executive Vice President of Sales and Revenue Generation

Clifford Ferrara has more than 27 years of experience in the hotel business. As Chesapeake’s Senior VP of Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management, Ferrara manages and oversees the daily direct sales, catering, advertising, marketing and revenue management strategies for the company’s portfolio of properties.

He is an enthusiastic leader who has developed a successful track record of meaningful accomplishments throughout his career. His career travels have carried him to Charleston SC, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Charlotte NC, Jacksonville FL, Houston TX and Hollywood FL.

Ferrara holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Hampden-Sydney College.

Brenda McGregor

Vice President of Human Resources

Brenda McGregor has played an instrumental role in the Chesapeake Hospitality story for more than three decades. In her current position as the Senior Director of HR, McGregor is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of Human Resources services and support within the organization. She works closely with senior leadership to strategically cultivate a collaborative and cohesive workplace environment that reflects Chesapeake’s unique culture and supports the healthy growth and development of Chesapeake employees.

McGregor provides comprehensive and timely support for and supervision of all HR field personnel and General Managers, ensuring consistent adherence to Chesapeake’s culture, policies and procedures, as well as full and complete compliance with all local and federal laws. Her work is vitally important to maintaining Chesapeake’s culture of inclusivity, entrepreneurship and accountability, helping to solidify its reputation as a place where employees are encouraged to pursue their goals, contribute their own perspectives, and achieve both personal and professional fulfillment. McGregor is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and her efforts have helped Chesapeake to achieve one of the highest employee retention rates in the industry.