Legacy Division

Founder & Principal

Navroz F. Saju, Esq.

Navroz Saju is the Founder and Principal of HDG Hotels, a hotel development and management company based in Ocala, Florida. The company owns and operates a portfolio with nearly 1,800 rooms across various brands and has more projects in its pipeline.

Before founding HDG Hotels, Navroz received his undergraduate degree, with high honors, in accounting from the University of Florida. He also received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C. Navroz is a current member of The Florida Bar.

As the Founder and ultimate ambassador of HDG Hotels’ strong company vision to “positively impact”, Navroz strives for “win-win” relationships with all HDG stakeholders – internal and external.

Carrying his positive impact into his community, Navroz actively participates in local organizations. He is past chair of the Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau, a board member of the Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP), and a member of Renasant Bank’s advisory board.

In regards to industry associations, Navroz is a lifetime member of AAHOA and attends the annual HITEC convention in keeping with two of HDG’s core values of innovation and resourcefulness. Navroz has been involved in the IHG Owners Association since 2012, serving on various task forces and committees. In 2019, he joined the Global Board of Directors of the IHG Owners Association as secretary and Americas Member at Large. He currently serves on the global board as treasurer.

Navroz resides in Ocala, with his wife, Shaida, and two sons, Azim and Noah. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, working out, attending his sons’ soccer and tennis games and tournaments, and watching the Florida Gators and NY Mets.

Chief of Staff

Antonio Figueroa

Chief Financial Officer, HDG Legacy Development Division

Maria Stephens

Executive Consultant

Nurjehan Saju

Chief Innovation & Systems Officer

Raymond Manaois

Raymond Manaois, chief innovations and systems officer, joined HDG Hotels in 2007. His main responsibility is the company’s information technology needs. When he is not analyzing complex data and transforming them into useful information, he is developing strategies that drive organizational and operational changes and promote efficiency and growth for the organization. Raymond also plays a pivotal role in opening new build hotels and acquisitions.

Before joining HDG Hotels, Raymond worked as an instructor at the University of the Philippines, Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management, and at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, where he taught courses in Hotel Information Technology, Cost Control and Analysis, and Rooms Division Management. Raymond attributes his extensive knowledge and skills in hospitality management to his first job at the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Hotel Manila where he worked as an assistant IT manager after college. Raymond also worked as an assistant controller onboard the cruise ship Norwegian Sun, part of the Norwegian Cruise Lines. Raymond holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from the University of the Philippines.

Director of Accounting

Rose-lyn Gallagher

People and Culture Manager

Marcy Galnor

Regional Director

Chelewa Springs

Office Manager

Shaida Saju

Accounting Manager

Jennifer Flores

Financial Analyst

Kelvin Rosario-Cruz

Accounting Manager

Joe Brus

Director of Revenue Management

Judy Sutton

Revenue Analyst

Alicja Kuczek

Director of Sales

Adrian Dennis

I.T. Support Specialist

Crystal Ekker

I.T. Support

Mason Marshall

Regional Maintenance Leader

John Eisele

Regional Maintenance Leader

Paulie Mockler

Corporate HVAC Technician

Khalid Sadik

Regional Maintenance

Jennifer Smith

General Manager, Howard Johnson Inn – Ocala

Cedric Trueluck

General Manager, Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Inverness/Lecanto

Ken Philipsen

Assistant General Manager, Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Inverness

Sherry Lopez

General Manager, Best Western Ocala Park Centre - Ocala

Derek Poineau

Assistant General Manager, Best Western Ocala Park Centre - Ocala

Cyndi Cornell

General Manager, Comfort Suites – Gainesville

Troy Wimberly

Assistant General Manager, Comfort Suites – Gainesville

Nadine Reynolds-Gilzene

General Manager, Comfort Suites near Rainbow Springs – Dunnellon

Kristin Hines

General Manager, TownePlace Suites by Marriott – Ocala

Melissa Bigwood

Assistant General Manager, TownePlace Suites by Marriott – Ocala

Juan Ortiz

General Manager, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Silver - Springs/Ocala

Rashma Kathwaru

Assistant General Manager, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Silver - Springs/Ocala

Coming soon!

General Manager, Holiday Inn Express - Crystal River

Gina Heydorf

Assistant General Manager, Holiday Inn Express - Crystal River

Michael Cottrill