Staff

Our mission is to offer consistent value while providing quality accommodations to our guests.

George R. Johnson – President/CEO Johnson Development Company, LLC

George_JohnsonGeorge R. Johnson - President/CEO

George R. Johnson formed Johnson Development Company, LLC (JDC) in May of 1999 to operate the purchased 123-room Hampton Inn - Springfield IL, and the 154-room Hampton Inn - East Peoria, IL. Since then George has continued to purchase and or operate hotel properties which include the 198-room Holiday Inn - Urbana, IL, the 82-room Staybridge Suites - Springfield, IL, the 83-room Hampton Inn & Suites Springfield, IL, and the 74-room Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Urbana, IL.

As President and CEO, George is responsible for the oversight of all operations of JDC, its owned hotels, as well as all managed properties. JDC currently operates both full- and limited-service properties under the flags of Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn and Suites, Staybridge Suites and Holiday Inn. The company has also operated a Ramada Limited brand property.

After an honorable discharge from the United States Army as a helicopter pilot with tours in Germany and Vietnam, George obtained biochemistry degree with a minor in business administration from Washington State University in Pullman, WA. He was quickly recruited from the small bus station/motel where he was employed during school into the management internship program of the Sheraton Hotel Corporation. It was there that George found his passion for the hospitality industry.

Georges broad experience in hotel development and management includes the development, operation and management of independent franchises for numerous national hotel franchises including Sheraton Hotels, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, Best Western, and Ramada. George has also taught hotel/motel administration for Milwaukee Community College in Milwaukee, WI and Central Illinois Community College in East Peoria, IL. Additionally, he has lectured and appeared as a guest speaker for Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn as well as numerous college and civic groups.

Murat Coskun, CHA – General Manager Hampton Inn East Peoria, IL

CindyMurat Coskun, CHA - General Manager Hampton Inn East Peoria, IL

Murat graduated from Akdeniz University in Turkey with Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hotel Management and earned his MBA from UIS. He has worked for the hospitality industry for total of 18 years. His professional journey has presented many great opportunities for Murat to work with world renounced brands and hospitality companies.

Murat strongly believes in the importance of continued learning and development of young talent within hospitality therefore he became a Certified Hotel Administrator and start teaching at Illinois Central College with their Hospitality Program. His team partners with many local non-profit organizations to make a positive difference within community that we live and play. Murat enjoys outdoor activities, playing soccer, international travelling and reading about leadership, innovation, service, diversity and inclusion related books. Murat and his team will be looking forward to serving you at Hampton Inn East Peoria, IL

Darrin Thurman, CHA – General Manager Hampton Inn & Suites, Springfield Southwest

Darrin_ThurmanDarrin Thurman, CHA -
General Manager
Hampton Inn & Suites, Springfield Southwest

Darrin joined JDC in 2004 and has worked in various roles throughout the company. Darrin is currently General Manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites Springfield Southwest. There Darrin has lead the hotel to a range of accolades including numerous consecutive outstanding quality assurance inspections, wall of fame top 15% award from the Hampton brand, as well as being named the #1 hotel in Springfield on TripAdvisor.com

In 2007 Darrin received the distinguished Spirit of Hampton award for true hospitality leadership and extraordinary service and commitment. Additionally, in 2011, Darrin earned the distinction as Certified Hospitality Administrator (CHA) by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. With this certification Darrin joins the ranks of hotel professionals around the world, proving his competence within hospitality.  In 2015 Darrin was named Downstate Hotelier of the year from the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association.  Additionally in 2016 Darrin was the recipient of the Legendary Hospitality Award from Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau as well as his property earning the Legendary Community Care award for their service to the Springfield community.

In 2016, by invitation only, Darrin was asked to serve as a Hampton brand Ambassador in the programs quest to inspire personalities to shine.  Through this distinguished program, Darrin serves other team members across the brands 2,200 + hotels as a strengths based coach. 

Darrin graduated from Millikin University in 2003 with a Bachelor's degree in Commercial Music studies. Darrin enjoys an active performance schedule and currently leads worship at Fountain of Life UMC in Buffalo, IL.

Alex Schroeder – Assistant General Manager Hampton Inn & Suites

Dave_KimseyAlex Schroeder - Assistant General Manager Hampton Inn & Suites

Alex received a Bachelor's degree in motivational psychology from Western Illinois University and is using that education to lead his team at Hampton as the Assistant General Manager. At the hotel you can often find him dreaming alongside his General Manager, Darrin Thurman, for new and exciting teambuilding activities or giving a helping hand to a coworker.  Along with the recent purchase of a home in Springfield, Alex and his family are celebrating the healthy birth of their new baby girl Izzy as of May 2017. The upcoming years are sure to be filled with much joy and celebration both at home and work, and he is looking forward to every minute of it.

If you’re ever visiting our Springfield location, be sure to stop by and say hello to the crew. Alex believes that making new friends and having meaningful pleasant experiences are the keys to achieving a happy and fulfilled life.

John Voyles – General Manager Staybridge Suites

John VoylesJohn Voyles - General Manager Staybridge Suites

John returned to JDC in 2015 as Operations Manager for JDC and General Manager of the Staybridge Suites. The Staybridge Suites was recently named a Quality Excellence winner by IHG for their high Guest Satisfaction scores.

John has over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry, operating hotels as large as 425 rooms. He has opened a dozen hotels and operated over 30 properties including brands from IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, and Choice brands. He has been associated with numerous award winning properties including Newcomer of the Year, Torchbearer, and President’s Award Winner.

John McNutt – General Manager Wingate by Wyndham

John McNuttJohn McNutt - General Manager Wingate by Wyndham

John W. McNutt III, a Springfield native, began his career in the hospitality industry in 2006, working as a bellman for Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center. Through the years he has worked for many brands including Hyatt Downtown St. Louis, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Double Tree Westport and Hampton Inn.

John is an Eagle Scout and active within his church Westminster Presbyterian. He attended University of Illinois at Springfield and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology. He met his wife, Milli, while working at Hyatt St Louis and they have one son, Luke McNutt.

John began working for Johnson Development Company in 2016 as Assistant General Manager, eventually working up to General Manager. He enjoys the professionalism and the spirit mentorship within the JDC family.

David C. Kimsey, CPA, CGMA, CHA – CFO/Management Oversight

Dave_KimseyDavid C. Kimsey, CPA, CGMA, CHA - CFO/Management Oversight

Dave Kimsey joined JDC in 2002. Dave's responsibilities with JDC include the oversight of all accounting and financial reporting for JDC hotels. In addition to the financial responsibilities, Dave is actively engaged in management and leadership development of key employees within the JDC hotels. Dave also contributes to the development of new management, acquisition and development opportunities for the company.

Prior to joining JDC, Dave was a Compliance Audit Supervisor with the Office of the Auditor General for the State of Illinois where he was responsible for the planning, performance and supervision of financial and compliance audits of various agencies, departments, boards and commissions of the State of Illinois.

A registered and licensed CPA in the State of Illinois, Dave is a graduate of Millikin University in Decatur, IL with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Dave is also a licensed real estate broker in the State of Illinois. He is a CAPLD Trustee, Deputy Chair for Chatham's Planning Commission, Treasurer of Chatham's Jaycees, and is a committee member for Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association Governmental Affairs Committee.

Holly Robisch – Director of Sales Hampton Inn, Springfield IL

Holly RobischHolly Robisch
Director of Sales
Hampton Inn, Springfield IL

Holly began her work in the hospitality industry in 2015 and has since been driven to make this profession her lifelong career. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology she stayed focused on learning the ins and outs of the front desk of a Hampton Inn. Now, her training has brought her to Springfield just this past May to begin learning the corporate and sales side of running a successful hotel as JDC’s Director of Sales. It will be her responsibility to increase hotel revenue, customer satisfaction, and overall profitability of her properties by crafting effective sale strategies and innovative marketing. As the newest member to the JDC team she hopes to learn as much as she can from those around her and be a positive asset to her properties and guests.

Marilyn Medica – Chief Legal Counsel/Regional Director of Sales

Marilyn_MedicaMarilyn Medica - Chief Legal Counsel/Regional Director of Sales

Marilyn Medica has been with JDC since its beginning in 1999. She has been licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois since 1992. After graduating from DePaul University in Chicago, she worked as a prosecuting attorney for the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office in Springfield, Illinois. Thereafter, she joined the law firm of Brown Hay & Stephens concentrating in civil litigation.

Marilyn's introduction into the hotel industry began when she worked as a Sales Manager for Holiday Inn after graduating from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Currently, she continues the role of Regional Director of Sales for all JDC managed properties. Marilyn is also a licensed real estate broker in the State of Illinois.