About Stys Hospitality Initiative

As President and Founder of the company, Brian is responsible for all operations of the business. Brian brings more than twenty-five years of construction operations knowledge to the business. With the unique perspective of having successfully developed and managed construction teams on a national level, Brian provides a unique value and point of view to the project. He works closely with the client and the team to ensure success and satisfaction on every level. Prior to starting Stys Hospitality, Brian was Vice President at Shawmut Design and Construction in Boston where he spent 19 years and is credited with building the nationwide restaurant and hospitality divisions.

As a member of Stys Hospitality, Erin Hoesly brings a range of diverse experience in business strategy, operations, marketing, and financial management. Erin manages the SHI offices as well as handling business development, marketing, digital networks, and project management work. Prior to Stys Hospitality, Erin worked for Panopticon Software and Datawatch Corporation with responsibility for corporate marketing, sales forecasting, partner relationships, and budgets. Erin graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an MBA and BBA in Marketing.

As a member of Stys Hospitality, Matt brings more than 20 years of architectural and project management experience. To offer timely cost-effective project solutions, Matt can draw on his experience as an architect, contractor, and client. Matt is confident with tight budgets and project deadlines. He can visualize, analyze, and communicate a project’s scope of work and coordinate costs/means. He can work in conjunction with multiple consultants, construction, and subcontractor teams to develop commercially viable projects. While meeting clients’ needs and expectations, Matt is skilled at working in a high paced multi-faceted team environment.

Amanda has a broad range of experience in managing projects including estimating, procurement, contract negotiation, scheduling and earned value analysis with exceptional knowledge in cost variance and cost performance index. Amanda gained her knowledge and skills through progressive responsibilities throughout her tenure managing various types of projects such as mid-rise, warehouse distribution centers, tenant space, restaurants, and hospitality. Her wide breadth of experience in multiple facets provides exceptional talent and skills to meet client expectations.

Chris brings years of experience as a project superintendent with Shawmut. His skill set includes monitoring and maintaining project budgets and schedules, managing the consultant bid processes, managing subcontractors, compiling, and tracking daily activities and executing the final punch lists. His projects included TAK Room, Eleven Madison Park, MomoFuku Kawi and 601 Lexington Ave Food Hall. Prior to coming to SHI, Chris worked for Cloudkitchens managing the construction of multiple, high-complexity kitchen spaces for delivery-based restaurants and other food establishments. He graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Construction Management.

As a Senior Project Manager with Stys Hospitality, Don brings over twenty years of project management and facility operations experience in the hospitality and university sectors. He excels at Design and Development, MEP Plan Reviews, Value Engineering, Construction Administration, Project Management including budgets, schedules, and team coordination as well as FFE Purchasing. Prior to SHI, Don worked as an Owner Rep for Alicart Restaurant Group managing $10M-$15M restaurant projects including Carmine’s in NYC, DC and Las Vegas, Virgil’s in Las Vegas, and The Marketplace at Fordham University.

As a member of Stys Hospitality, Ray Knappenberger brings over twenty years of project management experience in the retail, restaurant and commercial construction space. Ray specializes in managing complex projects from initial lease negotiations through construction and tenant opening. He excels at being the team leader for all external consultants on a project including Architects, Designers, Engineers and General Contractors. Ray has deep industry knowledge on lease review, budget planning and control, submissions/approvals, permitting and on-site administration of projects.

Jenn is a registered architect and LEED accredited professional with over 20 years experience in the field. Over the last 2 decades she has been involved in projects across the restaurant, retail, housing, data center and public works industries. Jenn has experience in all aspects of project delivery from conceptual/schematic design, construction documents, variance/permitting submissions, and construction administration. She is committed to client satisfaction, teamwork, and project success. Jenn graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Architecture and a minor in Computer Information Systems.

Prior to working at Stys Hospitality, Danielle Dioguardi was responsible for in-house project management for luxury international restaurant groups such as Chef Michael White’s Altamarea Group, and then Orange Brands Management. Her previous experience sitting in the client’s seat allows a unique understanding of the client perspective and enables her to provide bespoke project support accordingly. She has worked on project development in New York, London, Miami, Las Vegas, and Dubai. Danielle is a member of the New York Hospitality Alliance. Danielle is a graduate of Villanova University.

Laura has spent 10 years in the hospitality industry in various capacities which has provided her with an expansive skill set for project management. Prior to joining SHI, Laura worked for The Bar Room as a general manager, construction project manager, and controller and purchasing agent. She also started her own 2,700 sq. ft. cocktail bar, restaurant & nightclub which hosted dinner, brunch, live music & events in the heart of East Village. In this position, she managed all aspects of the restaurant including brokering the lease, renovating the venue, managing budgets and staff and all marketing content. Laura graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Hotel Administration.

Brenden grew up in the hospitality industry, helping his family manage a 6th generation function hall.  Before going to Wentworth Institute of Technology for his bachelor’s degree in construction management, he worked in the construction industry for two years. During his time at Wentworth, Brenden had three co-ops as an assistant superintendent with several GC firms.  In his position at SHI, he brings a strong work ethic, a solid understanding of construction management and the ability to manage the day-to-day tasks required to bring a project to completion.