Meet the Team
Adam Kipple
President & Managing Member
With more than 20 years in hospitality, I bring a hands-on, performance-first approach to hotel management, investment strategy, and owner partnerships. As President and Managing Member of Magnolia Hospitality Services, I focus on driving revenue, improving asset performance, and delivering world-class experiences for partners, guests, and teams.
My background spans 13 hotel brands across Marriott, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and Choice Hotels, with experience rooted in operations, sales, housekeeping, and maintenance. That ground-up perspective allows me to identify opportunities others miss and execute strategies that move the needle where it matters most.
Throughout my career, I’ve helped transform underperforming assets into award-winning properties, earning honors such as Marriott’s Gold Circle Award, Select Service Hotel of the Year, and the Zero Degrees of Sales Separation Award for exceeding revenue and owner expectations.
I’ve successfully led the opening of both full-service and select-service hotels, delivering strong launches through disciplined execution and purposeful leadership. At Magnolia, that same focus continues to guide our mission: outperform the market, strengthen partnerships, and create lasting value.
Christie Veyna
Vice President of Sales and Managing Member
Christie Veyna serves as Vice President of Sales and Managing Member of Magnolia Hospitality Services, leading the company’s sales strategy and revenue growth across its hotel portfolio. With more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Christie brings deep expertise across limited-service, extended-stay, and full-service hotels in a wide range of markets and segments.
Her career spans some of the industry’s most respected brands, including Marriott, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and Best Western. Prior to co-founding Magnolia Hospitality Services alongside fellow Managing Member Adam Kipple, Christie held the role of Regional Director of Sales with IHG, where she built a reputation for driving results and developing high-performing sales teams.
In her current role, Christie provides hands-on leadership and strategic guidance throughout every phase of hotel development and operations. She works closely with on-property sales teams to implement proven strategies that increase top-line revenue, capture market share, and deliver the strongest possible return on investment for ownership partners.
Driven by the mentors and leaders who shaped her career, Christie is passionate about giving back and inspiring others. Beyond the hospitality industry, she actively supports Special Olympics Texas and CARE Communities in Austin, channeling the same dedication she brings to her professional life into meaningful community impact.
Daniel Gomez
Regional Vice President of Operations
Daniel Gomez is Regional Vice President of Operations at Magnolia Hospitality Services, bringing more than 20 years of hospitality leadership experience across a wide range of markets and property types. His career spans progressive roles in sales, operations, and executive management, giving him a well-rounded, performance-driven perspective on hotel operations.
Daniel has held key leadership positions including City Director of Sales in San Antonio, International Intern Liaison, and General Manager across properties in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Grand Junction, Colorado, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and South Padre Island in the Rio Grande Valley. His success has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including the Residence Inn MVP Award, the inaugural Sales Zero Degrees of Separation Award, and three consecutive President’s Awards during his time with White Lodging.
Prior to joining Magnolia, Daniel served as Director of Operations with MKM Lodging Services, overseeing a diverse portfolio of Marriott, IHG, Choice, and independent properties. In his current role, he provides hands-on operational leadership focused on quality assurance, team development, talent recruitment, and operational consistency, working closely with the executive team to drive strong performance across the portfolio.
Outside of work, Daniel mentors students through the Business Careers High School Magnet School at Holmes High School in San Antonio, supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Tona Allen
Regional Director of Sales
Tona Allen serves as Regional Director of Sales for Magnolia Hospitality Services, where she leads multi-property sales efforts with a clear focus on revenue growth, market positioning, and guest satisfaction. She oversees sales teams across multiple hotels, developing and executing strategic sales plans while closely tracking performance against market trends to drive consistent results.
Prior to joining Magnolia, Tona built a strong reputation for consultative leadership and relationship-driven sales. As Area Director of Sales with Pathfinder Hospitality, she played a key role in elevating Marriott and IHG branded hotels throughout the Austin and Houston markets. Her leadership helped sales teams exceed goals through targeted training, KPI-driven strategy, and proactive business development that significantly expanded the sales pipeline.
Tona’s career foundation includes impactful roles with Pathfinder Development and Vista Host Hotel Management, where she consistently delivered standout results, including exceeding sales targets by up to 110% and driving revenue growth as high as 150%. Known for her expertise in group business, client engagement, and strategic partnerships, Tona brings a results-oriented mindset and a passion for growth that continues to strengthen Magnolia’s market presence.
Drake Fizer
Regional Operations Manager
With over 15 years of hospitality experience, Drake Fizer brings expertise in hotel management, operations, and guest satisfaction to his role at Magnolia Hospitality Services (MHS). Having worked with industry leaders like IHG, Marriott, Hilton, and Choice Hotels, Drake has spent the past five years driving revenue growth, boosting team morale, and delivering exceptional guest experiences across MHS properties in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.
A former General Manager and Area General Manager, Drake has a proven track record of achieving year-over-year revenue growth and earning accolades, including the prestigious IHG Torchbearer Award. His proactive leadership and dedication to operational excellence have helped numerous properties thrive in competitive markets.
Beyond his professional success, Drake is passionate about continuous growth—both for his teams and himself—always seeking opportunities to learn, elevate performance, and inspire those around him.
Frank X. Salinas
Director of Digital
With more than 20 years of experience in social media and the entertainment industry, Frank Salinas brings a creative, results-driven edge to Magnolia Hospitality Services. His background includes collaborations with nationally recognized brands such as Red Bull, WWE, UME South Padre, and South Texas Comic Con, where he helped build engagement, amplify reach, and create memorable digital moments.
At Magnolia, Frank leads digital marketing initiatives across the portfolio, overseeing social media activations, influencer collaborations, website content management, and monthly email newsletters. With a keen eye for storytelling and strategy, he ensures Magnolia’s digital presence stays fresh, relevant, and aligned with the brand’s commitment to world-class hospitality.
Pablo Garcia
Executive Assistant
Pablo Garcia serves as a key member of the Magnolia Hospitality Services team, supporting daily operations across the hotel portfolio through organization, coordination, and operational support. His work helps ensure internal processes run smoothly and that teams have the information and resources they need to perform at a high level.
With a strong attention to detail and a proactive approach, Pablo assists with reporting, administrative coordination, and cross-department communication. His ability to stay organized and anticipate needs contributes to consistent operational performance across properties.
Reliable, efficient, and solutions-oriented, Pablo plays an important behind-the-scenes role in supporting Magnolia Hospitality Services’ commitment to operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences.
Michelle Hilot
Executive Administrative Assistant
An experienced Executive Administrative Assistant at Magnolia Hospitality Services, providing high-level administrative support to executives and senior leadership. Highly skilled in calendar management, coordinating meetings and events, and handling confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
Known for strong communication and organizational skills, a sharp eye for detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Committed to supporting efficient operations, streamlining workflows, and contributing to the overall success of the team. Driven by a passion for exceptional service and a dedication to organizational excellence.
Chef Heather Nanez
Director of Culinary Experiences
Known for her creativity and refined flavors, Heather Nañez brings a passion for culinary excellence shaped by years of experience and a dedication to her craft. She previously served as Head Chef at Bohanan’s Prime Steaks & Seafood and Peggy’s on the Green, where she earned acclaim for inventive dishes and exceptional execution.
Heather later expanded her role as Special Events and Culinary Consultant, contributing to new restaurant concepts, nonprofit initiatives, and private events. Her work has been widely recognized, including being named one of San Antonio’s Top 20 Chefs by the San Antonio Express-News. In 2017, she received the honor of serving as a White House Guest Chef, cooking for then President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and White House staff.
Outside the kitchen, Heather enjoys exploring local restaurants, discovering new flavors through travel, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Pete. Known for her passion and energy, she believes great food should be both exceptional and fun, and she is excited to bring that spirit to her role with Magnolia Hospitality Services.
Justin Barton
Director of Food & Beverage Compliance
Justin Barton is Magnolia Hospitality Services’ Director of Food & Beverage Compliance, responsible for ensuring all restaurant and bar operations meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. He works closely with property teams to maintain consistent procedures across health, alcohol service, and food safety, helping protect the brand while keeping operations efficient, profitable, and guest-focused.
Stefania Garcia
Talent & Culture Specialist
Stefania G is Magnolia Hospitality Services’ Talent & Culture Specialist, dedicated to building strong, people-first teams and a workplace where associates can thrive. From recruiting top talent to fostering an engaging, inclusive culture, she helps shape the heart of Magnolia, ensuring every team member feels supported, valued, and inspired to grow.
Jose Arriaga
Revenue Manager
Jose Arriaga serves as Revenue Manager for Magnolia Hospitality Services, where he leads strategic pricing, forecasting, and revenue optimization across the hotel portfolio. With a strong analytical mindset and deep understanding of market trends, Jose develops data-driven strategies that maximize occupancy, drive profitability, and strengthen overall asset performance.
He closely monitors demand patterns, competitive positioning, and key performance indicators to ensure each property remains agile and competitive in an evolving hospitality landscape. By aligning revenue strategy with operational goals, Jose plays a critical role in delivering measurable results for ownership while supporting long-term growth.