Samuel A. Hardage
Chairman and Chief Executive Office
Samuel A. Hardage is the Chairman and CEO of The Hardage Group.
Sam has been actively involved in the hotel and real estate industry for over three decades, during which time he has completed over 74 projects in sixteen states. Sam was the first Residence Inn franchisee and later created the Woodfin Suite Hotel and Chase Suite Hotel brands, which operate in 10 states. He has also successfully developed high-rise office buildings, apartments, condominiums and warehouses.
Sam currently serves on the CEO Council of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. He was named recipient of the 1996 San Diego Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He was awarded the Channel 10 Leadership Award for his work as Founder of the Vision of Children Foundation which benefit children with genetic eye diseases. This award is presented to members of the San Diego community who make a difference in the lives of others. In 2008, Sam was selected as the Father of the Year by the American Diabetes Association.
Sam is active in state and national politics. He was selected as an Elector and a Delegate to the Republican Convention in 2008 and was appointed to the Commission on Judicial Performance (CJP) by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007. He was appointed by President Reagan to the President’s Commission on Industrial Competitiveness in 1983. Sam was a candidate for the United States Senate in 1978, and was the Republican nominee for Governor of Kansas in 1982.
In 2001, Sam was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame as a former end for the Air Force Academy football team.
Sam earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from The Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.
MaryBeth Smith
Senior Vice President Operations
MaryBeth Smith brings over 18 years of Management and Lodging experience to The Hardage Group and is responsible for day-to-day hotel oversight.
MaryBeth’s hand’s-on management style and gracious nature along with superb mentoring and leadership qualities have made more than a significant effect on the strong sales, marketing and management performance as well as growth of The Hardage Group’s hotel portfolio.
MaryBeth has built a career of progressive responsibility holding key management positions for more than 13 years throughout The Hardage Group’s Mid-West and Southern California properties. She was awarded the 2003 General Manager of the Year, proudly held the 2005 Hotel of the Year Award for San Diego, and is an active community volunteer.
Keith Hindenlang
Chief Accounting Officer
Keith Hindenlang is responsible for all financial services provided to each property as well as accounting for all related companies. He has been in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years.
Keith’s professional background includes positions as Corporate Controller for Chart House Restaurants, Vice President of Finance with the E-Commerce division of iVillage.com, Director of Finance for Daphne’s Greek Café, Chief Financial Officer for Salt Creek Grille Restaurants and Chief Financial Officer for Pacific Restaurant Holdings. Keith’s ability to effectively communicate with owners and corporate officers has been instrumental in his successful career.
Keith graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.
Ron Nehring
Director of Government Affairs
Ron Nehring draws on his more than twenty years of government and public policy experience to provide strategic and regulatory guidance for the company. He is the former Chairman of the California Republican Party and served as a state government official appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
During Ron's service in local government, he served as a trustee for one of California's largest high school districts with an annual budget exceeding $170 million. He is a faculty member and lecturer on topics of communications, public affairs, advocacy, strategic planning, management and lobbying.
Ron received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from SUNY Stony Brook and conducted graduate coursework in government at American University in Washington, D.C.
