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A Hotel for Huskies just minutes from UW campus. Check out our serious style, colorful motif, and a range of upscale amenities.

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STAYPINEAPPLE LEADERSHIP

All hotels endeavor to deliver great hospitality but we know that is really hard to do. Our voices will be the talk that backs up our walk. The purpose of having a shocking and clever attitude is to stand out amongst our competitors, but not scare people away. With witty banter and open arms, Staypineapple will create “Remember that one time when…” moments.

Michelle Barnet
Chief Pineapple Officer

Michelle Barnet

Chief Pineapple Officer

College

University of Nevada, Hospitality Business Management, BS

Mascot

Rebels

Favorite fruit

Truly is a pineapple

Favorite Quote

”You'll see it when you believe it” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

My thing

After spending 20 ish years in both the business of Hospitality and the acquisition and development of Real Estate, combining them seemed like a great next step. Pineapple hospitality, its assets, its mission, but mostly its people are my pride and joy manifested. I am privileged to work with what I believe is a best in class group of hospitality professionals who know their stuff, but most importantly bring their hearts and integrity to the work of enhancing the pineapple vision every day. We are unified around the single idea that hotels aren't places ...they are experiences. From this "core" belief grows Pineapple each day.Without the love and support of my husband Steve and son Max none of the above would be possible. Oh and let's not forget the laughter and love that comes from our two furry family members Dash and Kiska the Pineapple huskies.

Dina Belon
President
Mike Hirschler
Chief Growth Officer
Casey Dill
Chief Financial Officer

Dina Belon

President

College

Florida State University, B.S. Interior Design

Mascot

Seminoles

Favorite fruit

Key lime but just for the pie…

Favorite Quote

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” - Ghandi

My thing

I have been making waves for more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, bucking the traditional; focused on creating unique, extraordinary, and sustainable hotels. I began my career in design, transitioned into development and construction, evolved into engineering and operations, and eventually pulled it all together into a multidisciplinary hospitality leader. I am responsible for the people and the buildings at Pineapple Hospitality, making sure the stage is set for Pineapple’s amazing team to inspire out of the ordinary experiences.... really an Oscar-winning performance. I met my husband at work over 20 years ago and our favorite past time is architecture of all types, fat, skinny, tall short, old and new; we love them all. We have two beautiful rescue cats and a dog, Molly, Mookie, and Bella. We live on a "hobby farm" with plans to expand the four legged family, maybe a horse or a donkey in our future.

Mike Hirschler

Chief Growth Officer

College

Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration

Mascot

Big Red Bear

Favorite fruit

A Hazy IPA from Reuben’s Brews (with a hint of Pineapple)

Favorite Quote

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffett

My thing

A hotelier at heart since I was a young child, my passion is supporting the people who make it happen every day for our guests. During more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, my career has taken me across the United States with brands like Fairmont and Four Seasons. With a background in recruiting, learning and development and project management, I am excited to collaborate to build Staypineapple’s people leadership strategy. I am crazy about my community and believe we have a social responsibility to make an impact. My proudest accomplishment is partnering with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund to create the Run of Hope, the most successful grassroots fundraising event for Seattle Children’s Hospital. Like many in our business, when I get away…I like to get away! I love to travel to unique destinations, experience great restaurants and sample amazing wine. If you time it right, you might find me enjoying a craft beer at Reuben’s Brews in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle with my partner, Starrla, and our rescue pup, Sadie.

Casey Dill

Chief Financial Officer

College

Central Washington University, Degree – Accounting, Minor – Computer Applications

Mascot

Wildcats

Favorite fruit

Banana – go to fruit for an athlete

Favorite Quote

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” – Tommy Lasorda

My thing

With over 24 years of accounting and finance experience, I joined Pineapple Hospitality in 2015 after holding accounting & finance roles in aerospace, software, manufacturing, and distribution industries. I have a passion for numbers, organization, and analytics which comes partly from being a self proclaimed baseball statistician. Washington native, born on Whidbey Island, raised in Kirkland, and proud CWU alumni. Financial statements, treasury & risk management, data analyzing, report preparing, budget developing, numbers guru - BY DAY. Husband, dad (of four amazing children), coach, mentor, board member, community volunteer, golfer, fisherman, and Northwest traveler - BY NIGHT / WEEKEND.

Randall Obrecht
Vice President of People & Culture
Bob Spear
Senior Vice President of Operations
Robin Koetje
Vice President of Information Technology
Austin Gardner
Vice President of Distribution and Development
Casey Barks
Vice President of Marketing

Randall Obrecht

Vice President of People & Culture

College

Mascot

Favorite fruit

Strawberries

Favorite Quote

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” -Wayne Gretzky

My thing

I bring over 30 years of experience in hospitality food and beverage and operations. My career in the Seattle culinary scene has allowed me the opportunity to work with James Beard award-winning chefs, fulfill strategic leadership roles for restaurant corporations like Ruth Chris, Restaurants Unlimited, and Savor, and oversee McCaw Hall, a 3,000 seat performing arts hall. I moved into operations while working for Benchmark Hospitality as a General Manager for the historic Sorrento Hotel.

I joined Pineapple Hospitality in the Fall of 2016, where I started in a food & beverage leadership role and then transitioned into Operations. I support the hotel teams in every way, being the liaison with Pineapple headquarters, providing answers on any topics as well as filling in at the hotels during key moments. I do my best to exemplify the spirit of Redefining Hospitality and assist in upholding expectations for our hotels by mentoring, training, and guiding the hotel teams in delivering upon those expectations. When I am not working in the world of Pineapple, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, playing tennis, and doing just about anything with my son.

Bob Spear

Senior Vice President of Operations

College

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Mascot

Golden Eagles

Favorite fruit

Watermelon

Favorite Quote

Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just illusions. -Michael Jordan

My thing

I am passionate about building teams and being a part of teams that come together to produce outstanding results. The selfless nature of wanting others to enjoy their time while staying at our wonderful Staypineapple hotels makes every day a fulfilling journey. Each and every day provides the opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face whether it be a guest who has traveled from afar or a team member who has earned a pat on the back. 

My 25 year career with Marriott provided me with the knowledge and passion for the industry that I brought with me to Pineapple Hospitality. Being able to work in a creative environment without limits or boundaries allows us to live and speak Pineapple. Truly hospitality redefined! Pineapple Hospitality has brought my wife, two daughters and our 10 year old boxer to the PNW.  

Robin Koetje

Vice President of Information Technology

College

University of Washington

Mascot

Huskies

Favorite fruit

Grapes, because they are the most fun to eat, like candy or popcorn.

Favorite Quote

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." - Calvin from 'Calvin and Hobbes'

My thing

Technology in hospitality has been my thing since around 2000, right about when everyone thought technology was going to be the doom of us all with the Y2K glitch, which is likely not a coincidence.   I've enjoyed seeing IT grow and evolve in the industry, and I look forward to the exciting things we are going to be able to do as we continue to march through the 21st century.  Having been working in hotel management my whole career, I have been through a number of projects opening hotels, taking over ownership and management of hotels, and implementing new systems for properties and clients.  

I enjoy a good motorcycle ride on a curvy mountain road, crushing my kids playing video games on the Xbox or Nintendo Switch, and traveling with my wife and family to new places.  I play guitar poorly but passionately, and can bake a pretty darn good loaf of bread.  Love our Seattle sports teams and bleed purple for my Washington Huskies.  Go Dawgs!  

Austin Gardner

Vice President of Distribution and Development

College

University of Wyoming

Mascot

Pistol Pete

Favorite fruit

Anything, as long as it’s in a cocktail!

Favorite Quote

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

My thing

Growing up on a Wyoming cattle ranch taught me the value of hard work, but I yearned for something more than hay bales and horseshoes. Even as a kid, I had a passion for adventure and travel, incessantly hounding my parents about our next road trip. It seems truly fitting that my childhood wanderlust would guide me toward a career in hospitality, where I've accumulated 13 years of experience in upscale sales and marketing. And I still made time to collect passport stamps from 24 countries along the way! Fast forward to today where I am thrilled to be looking for the next adventure with the Staypineapple team, redefining hospitality across the country.

When I'm not working, you can catch me lounging poolside with my better half and our pint-sized pooch. And when we’re not relaxing? We're planning our next real estate investment move, or scheming a Shark Tank worthy side hustle.

Casey Barks

Vice President of Marketing

College

Northern Arizona University

Mascot

Go the Gorilla

Favorite fruit

PNW Cider (fermented apple juice is fruit, right?)

Favorite Quote

"Your body is not a temple. It's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." - Anthony Bourdain

My thing

As the product of a journalist mother, I grew up surrounded by the power of storytelling and the written word. During my college years, I spent my evenings serving tables in fine dining restaurants and my days taking communications and marketing courses at Northern Arizona University, with the hopes of one day combining these two passions into a career. 15 years and six cities later (San Francisco to Seattle to Austin to Vancouver to Salem to Bellevue), I now have the opportunity to share Staypineapple's fun and playful story with the world.

When not writing press releases and creating social media strategies, you can find me with my amazing wife and adorable fur-baby discovering our next favorite Pacific Northwest adventure.