Leadership
Our experienced management team has made us one of the fastest growing hospitality companies in the industry! All of our team members are fully-certified, extremely knowledgeable and expertly trained in their separate fields. We’re proud of the culture our employees have established, and we know that has everything to do with the lifestyle we create for them.
Asad Malik
President and CEO
Asad’s start in the hospitality industry began in 2006 when he opened the Holiday Inn Express in Grand Blanc Michigan. He cultivated a relationship with IHG culminating in Amerilodge being recognized as Developer of the Year in 2013 and 2014.
Prior to starting his career in hospitality, Asad held several executive leadership positions in finance at top hospitals in Michigan, including his last role as Vice President of Finance at Henry Ford West Bloomfield, part of the Henry Ford Health System. There he was instrumental in opening the new hospital, leading several expansion efforts, showing a positive cash flow 10 months ahead of schedule as well as achieving customer satisfaction in the 99 th percentile in food operations and engagement scores among the best in the system. The hospital also won the Malcolm Baldridge Award for quality.
Asad received his Bachelor’s degree from Albion College and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration University of Detroit Mercy and a Master’s of Health Services Administration from University of Michigan.
Asad believes strongly in the importance of family. He and his wife Arifa share three wonderful children.
Asad is an avid sports fan. You can often find him at sporting events, cheering on the Detroit teams.
Jim Oberliesen
Vice President of Operations
Jim Oberliesen is an established leader within the hospitality industry; through his extensive experience in hotel operations he establishes business initiatives to drive internal/external guest satisfaction. Having a keen eye for identifying opportunities to improve, he focuses on developing action plans and enhancing existing processes to improve property performance, thus increasing hotel revenue and ownership profit. Jim also has an extensive background in business development, expanding the organization’s market exposure through acquisitions and new construction. He is well versed with maintenance and renovations, executing the process in a manner which minimally disrupts the guest experience and property guest service scores. Jim has worked with notable hotel management companies, in Michigan and out; holding Vice President positions previously. Jim is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Hospitality Business.
Jim is an avid sports fan and enjoys golfing and relaxing by the beach.
Darlene Ladd
Regional Director of Operations
Darlene joined the Amerilodge Group in 2013 after having provided the healthcare industry with over 30 years of leadership. Darlene is a brand standards guru and truly personifies the spirit of hospitality. Darlene provides support to a region of our hotels as well as leadership on the Amerilodge Group Executive Counsel. She directly supports the housekeeping teams for all Amerilodge properties and ensures compliance with all brand initiatives. She is well versed in new hotel openings for both IHG and Marriott branded hotels.
In her spare time Darlene enjoys league bowling and playing golf.
Veronica Jones
Vice President of Finance
Veronica Jones is the Vice President of Finance for the Amerilodge Group. She is responsible for Accounting, Budget, Insurance and new project Financing. Veronica has a diverse financial background, initially starting her career in healthcare. While in healthcare she has worked for various organizations including Henry Ford Health System’s West Bloomfield Hospital and Ascension Health, before transitioning to the Hospitality Industry in 2013.
Veronica is an avid fan of all sports. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, along with boxing and running.
She is a graduate of Central Michigan University and a member of HFTP.
Sarah Zirwes, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Corporate Director of Human Resources
Sarah Zirwes joined Amerilodge Group in December of 2012. Sarah and her team leads the cultural efforts for the company, social responsibility efforts for properties, and Human Resources support to the portfolio. Sarah has a bachelor’s degree from Alma College and an MBA with an emphasis in Human Resources from Central Michigan University. Prior to joining Amerilodge Group, she worked for White Lodging Services and John Q Hammons.
In Sarah’s free time, she loves taking in a local little league game and spending time with her family.
Steve Aldridge
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Steve Aldridge brings over 25 years of leadership experience to The Amerilodge Group. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, he is responsible for the development and implementation of the sales, marketing and overall revenue generation for each of the Amerilodge Group Hotels. In addition, Steve has multi-brand, multi-hotel experience including Marriott, Starwood, Hilton, and IHG, Independent Resorts and Wyndham, as well as task force, hotel transition and pre-opening experience. In addition, Steve has been active in various communities serving on as a Board of Director for the Chamber of Commerce in Romulus, MI, served as a Board Member of AMBUCS – Creating Mobility & Independence for People With Disabilities in Battle Creek and served on the Board with the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association. He also currently sits on the Board of Directors for Holiday Inn Hotels thru the IHG Owners Association and is a part of the Business Development Committee with Special Olympics of Michigan.
Julie Allen
Area Director of Sales
Please welcome Julie Allen as the Area Director of Sales. Previously, she served as the Dual Sales Manager for the Alpena and Gaylord Holiday Inn Express and Suites. Julie’s success in hotel marketing is just a part of her 15 year career in sales and marketing.
Julie is currently the Vice Chair on the Alpena Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Central Michigan University. Her colleagues, clients and business partners have described Julie as a “fun loving individual who takes a personal interest in all those she encounters.” She enjoys living in northern Michigan —— especially in the summertime. The Alpena area affords her the opportunity to be explore the great outdoors with her two children. Julie is an avid sport fan no doubt a result of her involvement in competitive athletics prior to starting a family.
Team
We mean it when we say our team is our family. Our associates, corporate and executive, each do their part to create a fun, family-style atmosphere. We’re constantly hosting company outings, and participating in exciting skill-building techniques! We’re proud of the low turnover of our employees, and we know that has everything to do with the lifestyle we create for them.
