Meet Our Team

Before founding Horizon Hospitality in 1998, Scott held senior management and executive roles with renowned hospitality leaders such as ClubCorp, Hilton Hotel Corporation, The Levy Restaurants, and Dean & Deluca. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and also pursued studies at the University of Paris and the Culinary Institute of America.

Scott has conducted hundreds of recruiting and human resource workshops nationwide. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and a published author in numerous prominent hospitality trade publications. Scott has served as president of the board of directors for the Missouri & Kansas Search and Staffing Association, and previously led the board of the Dream Factory of Kansas City. Additionally, he was recognized by Ingram’s Magazine as one of Kansas City's "40 Under 40" top business executives.

Happily married to his wife Maddy for 34 years, Scott takes great pride in being actively involved in the lives of their three children. A passionate sports enthusiast, he enjoys staying fit, playing pickleball, snow skiing, and participating in other recreational sports.

With over 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University, Alissa joined Horizon Hospitality in 2014 to spearhead the company's growth in the Southwest. Her career success is driven by exceptional leadership, strong communication skills, and a competitive spirit. Alissa has held key managerial positions in cities such as New York, Las Vegas, Miami, and Southern California, working with esteemed organizations like Starwood International, China Grill Management, and Hillstone Restaurant Group. Her passion for service and hospitality makes her a natural at fostering strong relationships between clients and candidates.

In her free time, Alissa enjoys spending quality time with her husband and young daughters in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is committed to health and fitness and takes full advantage of the Southwest's outdoor lifestyle.

Dana joined Horizon Hospitality Associates in June 2006 as a regional recruiter, following a successful career in the hotel industry. After proving his abilities in hotel sales, he quickly advanced into management, leading teams across a range of properties—from limited-service Hilton brands to independent, boutique luxury hotels. These experiences gave him expertise in rebranding, property openings, renovations, new construction, procedure development, marketing, and staff development.

Dana approaches recruiting with a passion for helping people improve their lives. Whether assisting clients in finding the perfect candidate or guiding job seekers in advancing their careers, Dana views every opportunity as a chance to make a meaningful impact. His dedication and competitive drive have made him one of the company’s top recruiters and earned him his current leadership role.

Dana attended Western Kentucky University and resides in Overland Park, Kansas, with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys working in the yard, jogging, and coaching his children’s sports teams.

Before joining Horizon Hospitality in January 2017, Adam earned his Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from Kansas State University and spent over a decade leading teams in upscale restaurants, private clubs, and contract dining. His extensive industry experience, combined with a deep passion for hospitality, positioned him for success as a recruiter. Since joining Horizon Hospitality, Adam has earned multiple promotions in recognition of his high performance and remains committed to representing both candidates and clients with their best interests in mind.

In his free time, Adam enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Jessica, and their three young children, as well as playing the occasional round of golf.

After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Psychology from the University of Central Florida, Kristin began her career in Hospitality Management. Following six successful years in the industry, she transitioned into marketing, taking on the role of Director of Marketing for a multi-million-dollar furniture importer and auction house. After nearly a decade in marketing, Kristin and her husband relocated to beautiful West Palm Beach, where she launched her recruiting career. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the firms top producer. In August 2017, Kristin brought her extensive leadership experience and vibrant personality to the Horizon Hospitality team.

A South Florida native, Kristin enjoys traveling, water sports, skiing, and spending time with her husband and two children.

Brittany joins Horizon Hospitality as a Client Relationship Manager, bringing 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry with a focus on hotel sales and business development. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management from New Mexico State University. Brittany began her career as an opening sales manager for Hilton Garden Inn and advanced through the Hilton portfolio, including Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Homewood Suites, and Hilton Hotels. During her tenure with Hilton Hotels Worldwide, she was awarded the prestigious Circle of Excellence designation, reserved for top performers across the company.

Brittany is eager to leverage her skills and passion for the hospitality industry to ensure exceptional talent is placed with outstanding companies. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the tranquil desert of West Phoenix with her husband, Joe, and their children, Zach and Katie.

Before transitioning into talent advisory, Alex spent years building an extensive background in restaurant operations, leadership, and entrepreneurship. He served in ownership and executive roles, overseeing multi-unit operations and launching successful hospitality concepts. Later, he moved into senior-level recruitment, specializing in the Food & Beverage sector on a global scale. Across nearly two decades, Alex has managed high-performing teams, driven operational excellence, and developed strategies that fuel growth across the industry.

Alex earned his Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management and also studied abroad in Belgium, gaining an international perspective early in his career. Over the years, he has built a reputation for connecting top-tier talent with leading brands and advising businesses on strategies to scale effectively through people.

Alex has spearheaded large-scale recruitment initiatives, designed talent acquisition strategies for growing organizations, and served as a trusted advisor to hospitality leaders. He has also been deeply involved in business development, helping companies expand their reach and attract the right talent to achieve growth goals.

Outside of his professional work, Alex is passionate about travel, discovering culinary and wine destinations around the globe, and sharing unforgettable dining experiences with friends and family.

James is excited to rejoin Horizon Hospitality Associates after nearly two decades. He began his recruiting career at Horizon as a Regional Recruiter and has since gained extensive experience as a Corporate Recruiter, interviewing thousands of applicants and hiring candidates across a variety of industries. Prior to his return to recruiting, James served as a Seminar Trainer with Pryor Learning Solutions, where he delivered over 300 presentations on a wide range of topics to audiences across all 50 states.

James holds a B.A. in Communications and has worked as a professional actor throughout the United States and France, where he studied in Cannes during college, performing three plays entirely in French. His diverse professional background also includes roles in eLearning training videos, commercials, and voice-overs for both national and local companies. James is the proud father of three.

Eric was born and raised in the Midwest, where he spent the majority of his life before relocating to Florida in 2013. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University with an MBA in 2006, balancing his studies while competing on the Men’s Tennis Team. Initially, Eric began his career in Information Technology, but he quickly discovered his passion for working with people.

In early 2008, he transitioned to staffing and recruiting, where he has experienced considerable success in building strong relationships with both candidates and clients. Eric has advanced into management roles, where he has trained and mentored teams of recruiters and business development representatives across various industries. He takes pride in consistently meeting and exceeding the expectations of those he collaborates with.

Eric brings his extensive experience and drive to the Horizon team. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis and spending quality time with his wife and daughter.

Pat studied psychology at Kansas State University before relocating to the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she became a professional scuba diver and obtained her U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License. During her time there, she served as the Director of Operations for a local diving company, overseeing multiple retail outlets and establishing partnerships with major hotels and resorts across the island. Pat later transitioned into the spa industry, where she spent two decades leading teams of up to 100 employees at prestigious properties such as Ritz-Carlton, PGA National, and Marriott, consistently driving innovation and excellence.

Pat's deep passion for service and hospitality has made her a natural fit for recruitment, where she thrives in fostering strong relationships between clients and candidates. Happily married to her husband, Dave, for nearly 20 years, Pat enjoys spending time on the water with him in sunny South Florida.

Mark joined Horizon Hospitality as a Client Relationship Manager, bringing over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. His passion for the field began at a young age, as he often accompanied his father, who owned a food distribution company on the south side of Chicago. Mark graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts. As a formally trained chef, he has worked across various sectors of the hospitality industry.

Continuing the family legacy, Mark co-owned Mike’s Provisions while launching his career as a chef. More recently, he has served as a liaison for chefs in the Kansas City area, working with a specialty foods distributor in a sales role, where he specialized in sourcing high-quality meats and food products.

In his free time, Mark enjoys scuba diving and fishing with his wife and two children, as well as supporting his children in their various activities.

Matt graduated from Kansas State University in 2009 with a degree in Business Administration, focusing on Finance and Economics. He relocated to Kansas City in 2014, where he worked in the kitchens of some of the city's premier fine-dining establishments.

Recently married, Matt has two children and an 85-pound lapdog named Winston. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new and exciting restaurants, watching sports, and cooking for friends and family.

Hayley, a Dallas, Texas native, graduated with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011, earning her B.A. Shortly after, she obtained her Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults from Teaching House in New York City. Hayley then spent two years teaching at an English immersion school in Seoul, South Korea, before moving to Cusco, Peru, where she continued teaching and also performed in a local jazz band.

Upon returning to Dallas, she rejoined the Kaye/Bassman International and Sanford Rose Associates team, where she had previously worked after university and before moving abroad. In 2016, Hayley began working specifically with Horizon Hospitality, a member of the Sanford Rose network.

In her spare time, Hayley enjoys salsa dancing, eating chips and salsa, practicing yoga, reading mystery novels, and singing with a Dallas-based jazz band.

A Topeka native, Ashley attended Washburn University, where she studied Business Administration before relocating to Kansas City. Since then, she has gained experience across various industries and roles before transitioning to an office setting.  

Ashley enjoys traveling, with Thailand being her favorite destination so far, followed closely by the Hawaiian Islands. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and two dogs, especially enjoying outdoor activities.

Jaime’s passion for the hospitality industry began at a young age, and by 14, she had already started her journey within the field. Throughout her career, she has held various roles at renowned restaurants, where she contributed to enhancing guest experiences, optimizing food and beverage operations, improving communications, and boosting team morale. Jaime takes pride in helping others achieve their personal and professional goals.

In her free time, Jaime enjoys exploring new and trendy restaurants with her husband and spending time at the beach with their dogs.

Caroline began her hospitality career at the front desk of Drury Inn while earning her Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has 13 years of extensive experience in hospitality, including group and convention sales, convention services, and event planning for renowned organizations such as Marriott, Hyatt, Brown-Forman, and Explore St. Louis. After taking several years off to be with her young daughter, Caroline joined Horizon Hospitality in 2021.

Originally from the Ozarks in southeast Missouri, Caroline still enjoys spending time on the area's beautiful spring-fed rivers and lakes. She also loves live music, spending time with family and friends, and is an enthusiastic supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals.

Ahmad joined Horizon Hospitality in July 2025 as a Client Relations Specialist, bringing a unique combination of recruiting, operations, and HR experience. He holds both a Master of Business Administration from the University of Mysore and a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Xavier’s College.

Ahmad began his career as a Human Resources Assistant, where he gained hands-on experience in recruitment, onboarding, and candidate engagement. He later advanced into leadership as a General Manager for Intense Fitness, overseeing daily operations, driving employee development, and managing the full hiring lifecycle. Most recently, Ahmad worked as an Executive Recruiter, strengthening his expertise in talent acquisition and client relations across diverse industries.

With a background that blends operational leadership and people-first recruiting, Ahmad is committed to helping hospitality organizations identify and retain exceptional talent. His consultative approach and focus on strong relationships make him a valuable partner to both clients and candidates.

In his free time, Ahmad enjoys staying active, exploring new opportunities for personal growth, and spending time with family and friends.