The Charter One Leadership Team
John W. Balliett, Chairman and C.E.O.
John has been involved in the hospitality industry as an owner, manager and entrepreneur since 1981 when he formed Charter One.
John graduated from Grove City College with a Bachelor of Science in Physics in 1969 and went to work for Eastman Kodak while continuing his education at the University of Rochester. Leaving Kodak, he joined Coherent Radiation as Manager of the Applied Optics Department before becoming Director of Marketing for their TROPEL subsidiary based in Fairport, New York. In 1973, he formed Quality Measurement System, Inc., which was sold to a fortune 500 company in 1978 when he relocated to Sarasota, Florida. There he became involved in several business and real estate investments before founding Charter One in 1981.
Under his leadership, Charter One has grown to a hotel management company with gross revenues of $45,000,000, employing over 800 people.
John holds several patents, has written numerous articles and is listed in "Marquis Who's Who in America". John is a licensed mortgage broker, acts as a court appointed receiver, and is active in his church.
Scott Busby, President & COO
Scott is responsible for the leadership and continued development of Charter One and works with John Balliett on developing new strategic initiatives. Scott has a background in the development of dynamic revenue focused team based cultures, product development, marketing, and operations.
Prior to joining Charter One, Scott was Executive Vice President & CAO at Lifestyle Family Fitness, one of the top 20 fastest growing retail fitness companies in the world located in St. Petersburg, Florida. During his time with Lifestyle Family Fitness, the organization tripled in size and grew to fifty-five properties in four states.
Scott was also a founder and key player in the startup and development of one of the most highly successful and well respected Human Resources Outsourcing (HRO) companies serving the small and medium size business marketplace prior to joining Lifestyle Family Fitness.
Scott is currently a board member for the Sarasota County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Michael Surowiec, Chief Financial Officer
Michael is responsible for the leadership and development of the Finance, Accounting Services, and Information Services functions within the Charter One Support Center.
Michael has over twenty-five years of experience in hotel finance and has held CFO and COO positions with Abbaco, LLC., Focus Hospitality Services, Singh Company and RHP Properties.
He has deep expertise in comprehensive financial management and daily operations. Michael's skills in project administration, best practices and financial analysis are an integral part of Charter One's asset management program.
Michael graduated from Walsh College with a Masters degree in Management.
Steve Cook, Vice President of Hotel Operations
Steve is responsible for the overall operation of a portfolio of hotels, including service levels, revenues, and ultimately the profitability of each hotel. Steve was with Richfield Hospitality for over 19 years, and has over 29 total years of hospitality experience. He has held General Manager positions in diverse markets, from Silicon Valley, California to Orlando, Florida; commercial hotels to resorts. He has operated full service Starwood brands including Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Radisson, Clarion, La Quinta, Best Western, Hilton and independent hotels.
A Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA), Steve is involved in many organizations, including HSMAI, Rotary, and numerous community organizations. Steve is bilingual, having grown up in South America; he attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.
Cusic Daniels, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
In this position he develops and implements initiatives to increase hotels’ market share and achieve cost-effective marketing communications, and develops interactive marketing direct to consumers and through third-party online retailer networks, database direct marketing, advertising and public relations.
Cusic has over twenty five years of operations, sales, and marketing experience in the hospitality industry and graduated from De Sales University and is a HSMAI member. (Email)
Pamela Chaisson, Team Services
Pam has over twenty years of experience with a comprehensive and strategic understanding of Human Resource Management, Employee Relations, Compliance, and Organizational Change. She oversees compliance of all internal HR standards, processes, policies and procedures. Pam has held Human Resource Management positions with Gevity and Gorham Manufacturing. She is a graduate Providence College and is a Certified Human Resource manager (CHRM).