Our Team

Jay Batra is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Whitestone Companies, where he leads the firm’s strategic direction, growth initiatives, and investment activities. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a focus on operational discipline, Jay has guided Whitestone through significant expansion, establishing it as a respected player in the Midwest’s real estate and hospitality sectors.

Leadership and Impact.

Under Jay’s leadership, Whitestone Companies has completed a series of successful hotel and commercial acquisitions. These milestones reflect his ability to identify high-value opportunities and create sustained growth through a people-centered, ownership-minded culture. Jay is widely regarded for fostering a leadership environment built on integrity, collaboration, and long-term stewardship.

Vision

Jay’s vision for Whitestone Companies is to continue building a legacy of excellence rooted in trust, innovation, and community impact. Through thoughtful investment and a commitment to people, he strives to shape environments where potential turns into performance.

Community & Philanthropy

Beyond business, Jay is actively involved in the community and supports causes that strengthen families and inspire hope. He partners with local nonprofit organizations such as A Kid Again, which provides meaningful experiences for children with life-threatening conditions and their families. His community engagement reflects his belief that leadership extends beyond the boardroom—into service and compassion for others.

Chuck Groger serves as Chief Investment Officer, where he leads the Asset Management, Investor Relations, Acquisition Assessment, and Commercial Strategy teams. With a strong background in hotel operations, real estate, and private equity investing, Chuck brings a multidimensional perspective to driving performance and growth across the Whitestone's portfolio.

When he’s not leading performance and growth as Chief Investment Officer, Chuck can usually be found surrounded by his greatest source of joy, his family. A passionate boater and lover of the water, Chuck values time spent outdoors, where he finds both balance and inspiration.

Robert entered the hospitality industry while in college at the University of Texas in Austin as a server in a fine dining restaurant at a Hilton hotel.  After several years and multiple management positions, he was offered his first role as General Manager at a resort hotel in the Texas Hill Country.  The role of General Manager took him to several states through several promotions and new job opportunities over the next dozen years. While early in the role of General Manager, Robert took on additional responsibilities of mentoring and driving results at other hotels in close proximity to his home base.  In 2014, Robert began full-time multi-unit operation with oversight up to 22 hotels with multiple brands and market segments.

Robert and his wife reside in historic Delaware, Ohio and enjoy traveling, boating, and spending time with friends and family. In his downtime, he enjoys grilling and smoking and, of course, eating! 

Amy Lauer is the Vice President of Revenue at Soartress (a division of Whitestone Companies), where she leads the alignment of sales, marketing, and revenue management to drive portfolio wide growth and profitability. With more than 25 years of hospitality experience, Amy brings a well-rounded perspective, having built her career from the front desk through leadership roles including Director of Sales, Regional Director of Sales, General Manager, and Regional Director of Revenue Management. She has also taught courses on social media marketing and guided small businesses in creating effective social marketing strategies to grow their brands. Known for translating market insights into actionable strategies, she builds high performing teams that increase market share, optimize performance, and deliver lasting value for owners and partners.

Outside of work, family is at the heart of everything Amy does. She is incredibly proud of her two amazing kids — a daughter, former dancer who traveled extensively for competitions, and her high school senior son, a passionate soccer player who's been part of two travel teams. Over the years, she's spent countless hours cheering from the sidelines, driving to practices and tournaments, and soaking in every moment of their journeys.

Home time is spent with best friend, Kooper, a golden retriever who occasionally pops in on revenue calls. She loves sports, travel (Iceland is a favorite!), DIY projects, and, when there's time, getting lost in Game of Thrones.

Shawn is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Management Information Systems; Shawn brings over a decade of executive experience from JPMorgan Chase & Co. His expertise in financial reporting, month-end close, and budget and stress testing analytics will play a pivotal role in enhancing Whitestone's financial strategies. Shawn’s deep understanding of complex financial systems and his results-driven approach will help strengthen our operational efficiency and drive growth across our portfolio.

Shawn lives in Westerville Ohio with his wife and 2 daughters. He attended Miami University in Oxford Ohio and enjoys following all the Cleveland professional teams and the OSU Buckeyes. When he isn't working Shawn enjoys traveling with his family, Disney or a beach are favorites, watching his older daughter's soccer games and younger daughter's dancing. You can also find him at the golf course.

Karen Canterbury is a seasoned Human Resources leader with more than 25 years of experience, including a decade in Environmental, Health, and Safety within the pharmaceutical, insurance, and manufacturing industries. She oversees all aspects of Human Resources and is recognized for maintaining high standards while driving innovative solutions that support both people and business goals. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wittenberg University.

A lifelong resident of Ohio, Karen grew up on a Thoroughbred racehorse farm in London, Ohio, where she developed her love for animals. She and her husband, Matt, have been married for 30 years and are proud parents of their adult son, Matthew. Matthew, who has autism, keeps them busy with Miracle League baseball and Special Olympics basketball. At home, Karen and Matt are happily entertained by their two energetic dogs—an English Springer Spaniel named Bolt and a Labradoodle named Ranger.

Jaspreet Singh is a digital marketing expert with an MBA in Marketing from the Australian Institute of Business and a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute. He has earned multiple industry certifications, including Google Ads, Campaign Manager 360, and HubSpot credentials, showcasing his mastery of digital strategy and analytics. His work at Google as an Ads and Web Analytics Specialist sharpened his expertise in paid search, web analytics, and performance-driven campaigns, establishing him as a leader in creating impactful, data-driven marketing strategies.

Outside of work, Cricket has been a lifelong passion that has shaped my discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Having represented my state (Punjab, IN) at the competitive level, I’ve developed a deep understanding of strategy, leadership, and sportsmanship both on and off the field.

With a passion for hospitality that began at a young age, Jason brings years of industry experience and leadership to every property managed. A proud graduate of Temple University, Jason launched his hospitality career early, gaining firsthand experience in hotel operations that laid the foundation for a dynamic and successful path in hotel management.

Over the years, Jason has successfully overseen a diverse portfolio of hotel properties, ranging from luxury venues to large-scale conference hotels. Notably, they have managed locations hosting over 125 weddings annually, significant conferences, and VIP groups, consistently delivering exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence.

Beyond the professional world, Jason is an avid traveler with his wife Julie and lifelong athlete. A former Division I baseball player, they still enjoy staying active through various sports. Their passion for exploring new cultures has taken them to top destinations around the world, including South Africa, Italy, England, and France.

Whether leading a hospitality team or discovering a new corner of the world, Jason brings dedication, energy, and a commitment to excellence in everything they do.

Started out in Hospitality in 2002 with restaurants and banquets, shifting from hotel to hotel and brand to brand, learning everything from the front desk to night audit, I got my break into revenue management in 2010, taking on the role of an Revenue Analyst. In the fifteen years since, I've managed hotels in more than 30 major markets and will always look forward towards a fantastic week, month, year and importantly, a beautiful STR report.

Back home as a Michigander, I do love all things competitive from video and board games to attending live events such as monster truck rallies, airshows and any sporting events imaginable. Father to an adorable dog named Nemo that does his best to attend as many meetings as possible, I'll always try and inject humor as often as possible in our everyday lives.

Possess twenty years of management experience in the hospitality industry with a proven track record of significantly improving properties top line revenue growth and brand customer service index scores. Experience with new hotel openings, brand conversions, and property management system conversions. Ability to use effective problem-solving skills and analyze market trends to improve hotel performance.

Husband, Father of three, and avid pet owner. I enjoy watching sports, playing golf, kayaking, and taking the dogs for walks.

Myron McAfee is a seasoned hospitality professional with over a decade of experience driving operational excellence across leading brands such as Marriott and Hilton. With 10 years dedicated to hotel operations, Myron built a strong foundation in guest experience, team leadership, and service efficiency. He transitioned into revenue management with Hilton, where he has spent the last 3 years optimizing pricing strategies, improving profitability, and enhancing revenue performance across multiple properties. Myron’s unique blend of operational expertise and strategic revenue insight positions him as a dynamic leader in the hospitality industry.

Outside of work, Myron is an avid BBQ griller and active participant in recreational football leagues. These personal passions reflect his core values, preparation, teamwork, and consistency. Whether on the field or around the grill, Myron applies the same principles to his professional life: delivering results, fostering collaboration, and bringing people together with purpose.

Linnie started her hospitality career with a summer job during college. After a couple years, she joined a management company that believed in mentorship and promoting from within. Enjoying the opportunity to learn hands on while working with great hoteliers. During her tenure with this company, she held many positions night audit, accounting, department head, executive committee member, corporate accounting, interim GM, task force as well as takeover/exit team member. Her positions held and learning encompassed operations and accounting as well as participation in sales blitzes and yield (revenue) management. Through the years she has worked with brand hotels and resorts as well as independents, managed and owned, privately and publicly held. 

Linnie grew up more rural than city, with family vacations camping and fishing in Ontario and Quebec. She did not set foot in a hotel until she worked in one. Linnie is now a Gramma who loves to spend time with her grandchildren. They always find something fun to do. Linnie and her husband enjoy following NASCAR and camping at/near the various racetracks. 

Katie serves as Director of Design, leading Striv Designs (a division of Whitestone Companies), the company’s hospitality design and procurement division. With eight years of hospitality experience and a background in commercial interior design, she brings a strategic, brand-focused approach to complex renovation and new development projects across the portfolio.

Over the past three years in leadership, Katie has worked closely with major hospitality brands to navigate PIPs, prototype adaptations, and custom design strategies, aligning ownership objectives with brand standards and operational performance. Her experience spans large-scale renovations and ground-up developments, with a strong emphasis on brand relations and efficient project execution.

Outside of work, Katie is driven by curiosity and adventure. She has a deep love for travel and seeks out experiences that immerse her in new landscapes and cultures, often embracing fast-paced thrills, whether zip lining through a treetop canopy or exploring historic cities on foot. She is equally at home outdoors as she is in digital worlds. A longtime gamer with an appreciation for world-building and systems design, she is drawn to environments that tell a story and reward thoughtful detail. For Katie, creativity extends beyond the office and informs how she sees and shapes the world around her.

Ashonda Allen has been active in the hospitality design field since 2022, bringing creativity, strategic thinking, and a distinct design voice to a diverse portfolio of hotel brands. Guiding projects from concept through completion, Ashonda creates spaces that are visually compelling while thoughtfully enhancing guest experience and operational flow.

Recognized for a bold and colorful aesthetic, Ashonda incorporates expressive palettes, layered textures, and dynamic contrasts into every project. This vibrant approach is carefully balanced with each brand’s identity, resulting in hospitality spaces that feel energetic, memorable, and purpose-driven.

Passionate about designing environments that inspire emotion and connection, Ashonda continues to evolve in the hospitality industry, blending creativity and strategy in every space they shape.

Beyond work, Ashonda channels energy into passions that spark creativity and purpose. She takes on cooking, travel adventures, DIY projects, and provides independent cleaning services with equal enthusiasm, transforming both spaces and experiences. Cherishing time with loved ones and focused on making connections, Ashonda embraces challenges with boldness, curiosity, and a hands-on mindset in every aspect of life.

 

Elissa is a certified interior designer through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Kent State University. Her professional experience spans hospitality, systems furniture, and commercial office environments and she brings comprehensive experience across all phases of the interior design process, from initial concept development through schematic design, design development, and construction documentation. Elissa is skilled at reviewing building codes and ensuring ADA compliance, helping projects move smoothly from vision to execution while meeting regulatory requirements. With a strong technical foundation and an eye for detail, Elissa excels in space planning, finish selection, and translating client goals into cohesive, functional environments. She is passionate about designing spaces that support wellbeing, enhance user experience, and reflect the identity of the people and organizations they serve.

When she is not working, Elissa is always looking for her next adventure. She enjoys exploring new places, discovering hidden gems, and traveling to new states and countries whenever she has the opportunity. In her spare time, Elissa loves spending quality time with family and friends. She enjoys working on paintings and puzzles, staying active at the gym, and cooking family recipes.

Dennis Niemeijer is a hospitality development and construction leader with extensive experience delivering large-scale projects across multiple regions worldwide. He partners with owners, brands, and project teams to lead complex developments from early strategy and planning through successful completion, ensuring alignment of vision, brand standards, budgets, and schedules while maintaining a focus on quality and execution.

Throughout his career, Dennis has supported major construction programs, bringing a disciplined, result-driven approach to project planning, procurement strategy, contract administration, and overall project delivery. He is recognized for building strong teams, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and providing clear leadership that keeps projects moving forward with transparency and accountability.

When he’s not working on projects, Dennis enjoys spending time with family, exploring new destinations, catching live music, and getting out on his bike when the weather is good. He appreciates discovering new places and experiences, whether through travel, culinary experiences, or music.

Robyn Niedringhaus is a seasoned hospitality sales and marketing leader with over 20 years of extensive experience driving revenue growth, market strategy, and team performance across diverse hotel portfolios. 

During her career, Robyn built a strong track record in multi-property sales leadership as Area Director of Sales Marketing for Midas Hospitality, where she oversaw strategic sales operations for brands including Aloft, Element, Courtyard, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Staybridge Suites, and Residence Inn. Her leadership consistently delivered measurable results by enhancing market presence, strengthening client partnerships, and optimizing revenue channels. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to excellence, creative problem-solving, and developing high-performing teams that exceed commercial objectives. 

Robyn is someone who finds her balance outdoors and surrounded by the people she loves. When she’s not working, you’ll most likely find her exploring beach destinations, hiking scenic trails, boating at Lake Of the Ozarks, or spending quality time with friends and family. She has a deep appreciation for good conversation, fresh air, and a great glass of wine, especially when it comes from one of her favorite wineries.

Robyn is also a proud mom to her 25-year-old son, who recently relocated to Des Moines, and she embraces this new chapter with both pride and excitement. Whether she’s planning her next adventure or enjoying simple moments close to home, Robyn values experiences, connection, and making the most out of every season of life.

Sharon Nelson serves as Director of Administrative Services at Soartress (a division of Whitestone Companies), researching and coordinating tasks and systems to optimize efficiency, create cohesion, and realize standardization across properties. And while she is new to the hotel world, she is very familiar with hospitality, having spent 30 years in Operations in the Healthcare industry. Sharon is deeply committed to lifelong learning and eagerly embraced the opportunity to leverage her existing expertise while expanding her skill set in such a vibrant and evolving industry.

Sharon loves to travel and graduated from the school of life. Immediately following high school, Sharon left Ohio to “go as far as you can go” and landed on the west coast of the US. She traveled from Seattle to Mexico by train and back again eventually landing a job working for a seafood company. That adventure took her to Southeast Alaska where she worked as a Processor on land and sea for many years. When it was time to set roots, she returned to her beloved Ohio via the Al-Can Highway through the Yukon and Canada.

In Ohio, she met her husband, a musician who also spent his youth traveling, and settled down to raise two beautiful, now grown, daughters. Sharon and her family still enjoy traveling with recent trips to Italy and Alaska.