Craig joined Valor as Director of Operations in 2018 after spending more than two decades in various facets of the hospitality industry. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Webber International University where he attended on a basketball scholarship, Craig began his career in the hospitality industry with Hyatt Hotels and worked his way through the Rooms Division with leading roles in housekeeping, front office, reservations, revenue management, and security. Craig’s Hyatt tenure spanned more than 13 years and five hotels across the U.S. and the Caribbean.
From there, Craig left the brand-managed world of Hyatt and was one of the first corporate leaders of Kokua Hospitality, a third-party management company based in Chicago. Craig was initially in charge of Transitions and Special Projects, where he oversaw new acquisitions and renovations. During the downturn of 2008, Craig moved back into the property level as General Manager of two of Kokua’s assets in downtown Chicago. Then as Kokua began to grow again, he was asked to move back to above-property oversight, where he finished his tenure with Kokua as Vice President of Business Development.
In early 2015, Craig joined Charlestowne Hotels in Charleston, SC as Regional Director of Operations. In this role, he was responsible for all areas of hotel operations, from pre-opening development through post-opening operations. Craig assisted in the initial launch of Graduate Hotels, overseeing the operations in five of the first six properties in this new and growing brand. During his tenure with Charlestowne Hotels, Craig led operations at luxury inns and independent and branded properties in locations across the U.S.
At Valor, Craig oversees all facets of Valor’s operation in the Americas. He strongly believes in the development of his team and focuses his time on grooming and mentoring leaders throughout the company, as well as Valor’s strategy for growth and operational excellence.