liht_logo home        about us       services      clients     contact       in the news
nyc skyline


About Us

Mike Johnston and Tom Gundersen, founding members of LIHT Hospitality, provide over 50 years of combined experience with two of the world’s leading lodging companies, and have been personally responsible for the leadership of over $1 billion in combined hotel asset values over their careers. Their partnership leverages the strengths of their deep rooted hotel experience, through good times and bad, with a select group of real estate and finance expert resources. LIHT Hospitality understands how to drive revenue during periods of weak demand while maintaining tight controls on costs.

johnston

Mike Johnston, Chief Executive Officer

 • Over 30 years of Hotel and Hospitality Industry experience with Marriott International including numerous General Manager positions at City, Suburban and Airport locations, Corporate Management positions, Regional Director of Operations, and Regional Director of
Human Resource positions. Extensive knowledge in food service, human resources, operations, owner relations and general management

• Current Chair, Board of Directors for Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau

• New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, Hotel Executive of the Year 2009

• President of Long Island Hotel & Lodging Association 2003-2009

• Proven ability to lead a hotel’s market share penetration efforts and cost contingency initiatives

• Current Professor at Nassau Community College teaching in Hospitality and Tourism

• Teaching and lecturing experience at colleges such as North Texas State, New York Institute of Technology, Grambling University and University of New Orleans

• Frequently quoted in consumer and industry related publications

• Has received numerous awards for his outstanding performance and currently sits on numerous industry advisory boards

gundersen

Tom Gundersen, Chief Operating Officer

• Over 20 years of hotel sales & marketing experience with Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company including positions as Director of Sales & Marketing, Associate Regional Director of Sales, Director of International Sales and Director of National Accounts. Extensive knowledge in sales management, marketing, advertising, e-commerce, public relations, owner relations & international sales

• Graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration

• Achieved Sales Team of the Year Honor for Marriott’s Core Hotels, Eastern Region 2007

• International Sales Team of the Year Honors for Ritz-Carlton

•Consistent market share leader in his past positions where he has delivered YOY double digit occupancy and profit improvements

• Exceptional knowledge of all hotel market segments and distribution channels

• Past member of Marriott’s and Ritz-Carlton’s Travel Intermediary Advisory Team

• Proven experience selling and marketing hotels in North & South America, Europe, Asia and Australia

Copyright 2011 LIHT Hospitality. No part of this site can be reproduced without written permission from LIHT Hospiltality. Site design Frazzled Graphics.