Management Services & Consulting

Richard L. Lafrance

Chairman

Second generation, founding family White’s Regional Hospitality Center, established 1955 in Westport, MA. Developer of multiple Hampton Inn properties; Dover, NH, Westport, MA, Fairhaven, MA, Franklin, MA and the Hampton Inn & Suites, Plymouth, MA. Richard has also developed two Comfort Inn & Suites in Dover, NH and Wilton/Farmington, ME.

Additionally, he developed the Homewood Suites Dover, NH, Fairfield Inn & Suites New Bedford, MA, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Wareham, MA, Courtyard by Marriott Littleton, MA, Fairfield Inn & Suites Plymouth, NH, Tru by Hilton Manchester, NH, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Westport, MA, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Mansfield, MA, and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott North Conway at Cranmore Mountain, NH. He has also developed several free standing properties as well as an off premise catering service with concentration in South Eastern, Massachusetts. As a four generation involved business, Richard delights in mentoring his family members who have leadership roles in the company.

Jeffrey P. Pineault

CFO

Jeff began his career at Lafrance Hospitality back in 1981 as a busboy in the “Priscilla Dining Room” at “White’s on the Watuppa” and rejoined the Company in 1995 as Chief Financial Officer.  With over 30 years of dynamic financial management experience and as a member of the leadership team, he plays a key role in the overall administration and direction of the Company.  Jeff is responsible for driving optimal performance, creating long-term value and ensuring sustainability of Lafrance Hospitality’s existing hotels, restaurants and partnerships and is also responsible for evaluating all new projects for the Company.  In addition, he oversees all accounting, budgeting, financial, tax, risk management, human resources, legal and administrative functions.  Jeff exhibits an intense commitment to excellence, drive for continuous improvement and exacting attention to detail.  He graduated with honors from the University of Rhode Island College of Business in 1989, with a B.B.A. in Accounting.

Timothy D. Burkhardt

President of Hotels, CHA

Over 35 years of progressive responsibility within all aspects of full service and focused service hotels. In 2008, after 15 years with Fine Hotels he joined Lafrance Hospitality as Vice President and is a partner in several hotel ventures. He is responsible for managing all aspects of the hotel division of the company including both acquisitions and new development projects. Two of the company’s new construction projects earned Marriott’s best new opening for the Courtyard in Littleton MA and the Towneplace Suites in Wareham MA. Tim has received a B.S. in Hospitality Management and an M.S. in Managerial Technology – both from Johnson and Wales University. He resides in Sutton, Massachusetts with his wife and two sons.

R. Christian Lafrance

Vice President - Restaurant Operations

Third generation of Lafrance family, working through most every position on the restaurant side of the business. B.S.B.A., Marketing, from Spring Hill College. Completion of the University of New Hampshire Family Business Studies in January, 2006. Joined the company full time in 1993 and created Christian’s Catering in 1995. Currently oversees all Lafrance Hospitality Food Service operations.

Charles F. Fellows, IV

General Manager - White's of Westport, Corporate Marketing

Joined the company in 1994. Has cycled through most every area within the organization. Helped launch both Bittersweet Farm Restaurant & Tavern, and Rachel’s Lakeside, as well as the re-branding of the ala carte restaurant, within White’s of Westport – The Galley Grille. Additionally functions as Director of Security and Marketing. Education includes a B.S.B.A., in Accounting, from Merrimack College. Prior experience includes an accounting position in an unrelated industry.

Sean R. Lafrance

Director of Facilities

Joined Lafrance Hospitality in 2000. Oversees all properties and their maintenance. Manages development projects from site layout through opening. Initiates and negotiates with outside contractors, when necessary. Education includes a B.S. in Construction Management from Wentworth. Prior work experience includes several years as a field supervisor, estimator and project manager with a marine contractor, Cashman Company, and two general contractors; A.J. Martini, and J.L. Marshall.

Jennifer Lerz Norr

Vice President of Sales

Jennifer has been with Lafrance Hospitality since 2008 and was the Regional Director of Sales for the company’s Dover, NH hotels prior to her current role. She has also provided sales and management support to a number of Lafrance hotels over the years. As Vice President of Sales, Jennifer has oversight of all sales activities across the Lafrance Hospitality Company portfolio of hotels.  Jennifer has a Business degree from Northeastern University.

Kenneth Tarara

Senior Regional Director of Hotel Operations, CHA

Joined the company in 2013. Ken brings more than fifteen years of hospitality management experience including Front Office Management, Assistant General Manager and General Manager.  He has worked for several hotel companies and is also experienced in restaurant management. He acts as liaison to the hotel chain corporate entities to ensure conformance with franchise requirements and provides support to Hotel General Managers in recruiting and developing staff. Provides support by mentoring, coaching, counseling, team building and evaluating performance. He has a B.S. in Hotel/Resort Management from Southern New Hampshire University.

Nick Silvia

Director of Marketing & Information Technology

After more than two years of full service hotel experience, Nick joined the company in 2013, originally at the Westport Hampton Inn but transitioned in the Revenue Management role in September 2013. In July 2018, Nick transitioned to the Director of Marketing & Information Technology role. Nick works with all of the Lafrance Hospitality hotel, restaurant, and destination properties and is responsible for overseeing the Marketing and IT needs of the company. Nick has a B.S. in Business Administration from the Charlton College of Business at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Michael Dougherty

Regional Director of Hotel Operations

Michael joined Lafrance Hospitality in January of 2018 with many years of Operations and General Manager background.  Michael graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a Bachelor of Science degree and has worked in the Providence, Newport, and Cape Cod markets since beginning his hotel career.  As Regional Director of Operations, Michael oversees policies, objectives, and initiatives for Lafrance Hospitality. He is responsible for evaluating current and proposed systems and procedures to determine and implement changes as necessary while building, coaching, and evolving the current and future General Managers within the company.

Liz Swider

Director of Revenue Management, CRME

Liz returned to Lafrance Hospitality in 2018 as the Revenue Manager for the hotel division. She first joined the company at the Westport Hampton Inn in 1997. Liz has many years of hospitality experience, including Assistant General Manager, Director of Sales and General Manager. Having both operations and sales experience has given her greater insight for this role where she works directly with each hotel to maximize overall revenues through pricing and inventory strategies. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Criminal Justice from Roger Williams University.

Sean Ryan

Regional Director of Sales

Sean Ryan serves as the Regional Director of Sales at Lafrance Hospitality, has over three decades of experience in the tourism & hospitality industry. His journey with Lafrance began in 2019, initially as the Director of Sales in Littleton, MA. He subsequently advanced to the role of Area Director of Sales before being promoted to Regional Director of Sales for the northern territory. Sean’s career in hospitality commenced in 1993, following his attainment of a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Education from the University of New Hampshire, and furthering his education with an M.Ed from New Hampshire College. In his current capacity as Regional Director of Sales, Sean offers strategic leadership and guidance, overseeing sales activities in Northern New England for Lafrance Hospitality’s diverse portfolio of hotels.