Command The Tradition.

"Where the Blue and Gold color scheme isn't décor—it's a promise."

$280M+
Assets Managed
Cumulative Career
900K
Square Feet
Cumulative Career
#1
Hotel in Iowa
U.S. News 2024 & 2025
80%
Team Retention
vs. 50% Industry Average

Why I Am Here

Glory Days. Every Day.

That's the Graduate promise. It's also how I operate. I took an underperforming Autograph Collection property and transformed it into #1 in Iowa in one year. Not through luck. Through a bold 6-week community relaunch, destination F&B concepts, and the relentless belief that hotels should be cultural hubs, not just places to sleep.

Graduate Annapolis sits at a unique intersection: America's oldest state capital, the Naval Academy since 1845, Chesapeake Bay watermen, and St. John's College intellectuals. It's a town that holds traditions sacred while reinventing itself with every new class of Midshipmen. The hotel should do the same—honoring the heritage while creating new memories worth coming back for.

Trophy Room isn't just a restaurant—it's a stage. Parents Weekend watch parties. Commissioning Week celebrations. Army-Navy traditions. The Naval Academy has 180 years of story. Graduate Annapolis should be where those stories get told.

— Joseph Maddox

The Philosophy

Ambition · Accountability · Access

The Game of Potential

The Why: The Ambition Gap

I build teams because I know the friction between ambition and reality. I know what it's like for my experiences of life to be less than the ambition I have for my life. My drive is to actualize that potential in others. Closing the gap between what a property could be and what the daily operation is. I don't just manage hotels; I elevate the people who run them.

The How: I Play an Open Game

High performance requires a game worth playing. If the rules are hidden or unfair, no one competes. I run operations by making the game explicit.

01
Ambition
Shared Language (Mini-GMs)

I democratize the data to create "Mini-GMs." I don't just teach tasks; I teach the business of hospitality. By giving every team member the scoreboard (KPIs, P&L flow-through, and Guest Satisfaction scores), I empower them to create experience at profitable scale. They aren't just serving guests; they are managing the asset.

02
Accountability
Map the Gap

I use a three-step system: Envision where we are going, accept Radical Accountability for where we are right now, and Map the Gap to build the bridge. This defines the work required: the systems, the training, and the activations needed to move from Here to There.

03
Access
Fair Rules & The Big Trade

I don't ask you to leave your problems at the door; I ask you to remember that everyone has problems outside of that door. That shared reality makes Shared Gratitude, Mutual Respect, and Intentional Mentorship non-negotiables.

  • Enjoy the Product: The team experiences what they build: spa visits, dining experiences, and city access are standard.
  • Radical Transparency: Regular reviews that are dialogues, not dictates.
  • The Big Trade: The ultimate perk is Mentorship. I commit to developing your career with the same intensity I develop the property.

The Process

See → Shape → Sell

See the Potential → Shape the Process → Sell the Product

01

See

Every asset has hidden value. Graduate Annapolis has the Naval Academy calendar, Chesapeake Bay culture, the Arts District location, and 180 years of tradition waiting to be activated. Trophy Room isn't just a restaurant—it's a stage. Poindexter isn't just a coffee shop—it's a neighborhood anchor. I see where the magic is hiding.

02

Shape

Potential without process is just hope. I build the systems: monthly programming calendars, cross-departmental accountability, revenue management discipline, and a team culture that turns vision into execution. Every activation maps to a business outcome.

03

Sell

A hotel that nobody knows about is just a building. I position properties in their markets through strategic partnerships, earned media, and community engagement that makes the hotel essential to the neighborhood. Business of the Year in nine months. That's not luck—it's strategy.

The Alignment

What Schulte Needs. What I Deliver.

Schulte Companies' mission is to "exude hospitality, be respectful and authentic, prioritize the needs of stakeholders, and make a positive impact." Here's how my experience maps directly to your requirements.

Budget & Financial Management

"Managing budgets and financial plans and controlling expenditure"
  • Full P&L responsibility across 4-property, $280M+ portfolio
  • 70% rooms flow-through achieved
  • 116 RevPAR Index performance
  • Profitability through programming, not just cost-cutting

Sales & Profit Targets

"Setting and achieving sales and profit targets"
  • $1M+ activation-driven revenue generated
  • Business of the Year 2025 within 9 months
  • Year-round demand generation reducing seasonal volatility
  • Group and catering revenue optimization

Team Development

"Recruiting, training, and monitoring staff"
  • 80% team retention vs. 50% industry average
  • Culture-first approach with clear advancement paths
  • Cross-training programs reducing labor inefficiencies
  • Team ownership of guest experience outcomes

Guest Experience

"Appropriately responding to and resolving guest concerns"
  • U.S. News #1 Hotel in Iowa—consecutive years
  • Every touchpoint designed for memory creation
  • Proactive service recovery protocols
  • Personalized recognition for repeat guests

Events & F&B Excellence

"Ensuring events and conferences run smoothly"
  • Transformed hotel restaurants into community destinations
  • 2,000+ attendees across 6-week relaunch campaign
  • $200K+ F&B revenue from single activation series
  • Trophy Room-style concepts with games, live music, local partnerships

Asset Preservation

"Supervising maintenance, supplies, renovations, and furnishings"
  • 900K+ square feet managed across portfolio
  • Capital planning and preventive maintenance programs
  • Vendor relationship optimization
  • Historic property stewardship experience

Brand Standards

"Ensure the property meets brand guidelines and expectations"
  • Managed Autograph Collection brand standards
  • Balanced brand requirements with independent character
  • Quality assurance audit preparation
  • Hilton systems integration ready

Compliance & Safety

"Ensuring compliance with licensing laws, health and safety"
  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager certified
  • Certified Pool Operator (CPO)
  • OSHA compliance and safety committee leadership
  • Health department inspection preparation

Proof of Work

The Track Record

Regional Portfolio Strategy ($280M+)

+
Warrior Hotel Lobby Warrior Hotel Exterior Blackhawk Hotel
See

Four-property portfolio across Iowa with distinct positioning needs: boutique, historic, extended-stay, and lifestyle segments.

Shape

Built unified operational standards while preserving individual property character. Cross-property programming calendar. Shared vendor relationships. Regional marketing strategy.

Sell

$280M+ in combined asset value. Economies of scale without homogenization. Each property stronger because of portfolio context.

U.S. News #1 Hotel in Iowa (2024 & 2025)

+
U.S. News #1 Hotel
See

Inherited an underperforming Autograph Collection property with brand-loyal guest base but declining satisfaction scores and local relevance.

Shape

Complete operational reset: service standards, F&B repositioning, team culture transformation. 6-week community relaunch that reintroduced the property to local market.

Sell

U.S. News #1 Hotel in Iowa—consecutive years. Business of the Year 2025 within 9 months of arrival. External validation of systematic approach.

The Community Relaunch (2,000+ Attendees)

+
Ribbon Cutting Crowd Rooftop Party
See

Historic hotel had lost connection with local community. Perceived as "for visitors only."

Shape

6-week programming blitz: rooftop parties, live music series, F&B popup concepts, community open houses. Made it impossible for locals to ignore.

Sell

2,000+ attendees across campaign. $200K+ F&B revenue. Permanently shifted perception from visitor hotel to community gathering place.

The Activation Engine ($1M+ Revenue)

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Halloween Event NYE Event Live Music
See

Seasonal demand patterns creating revenue volatility. Need for programming that drives midweek and shoulder-season occupancy.

Shape

12-month activation calendar with monthly themes. Tentpole events anchoring each quarter. Weekly programming driving repeat local visits.

Sell

$1M+ in activation-driven revenue. Year-round demand generation. Reduced seasonal dependency through systematic programming.

Building Teams That Stay (80% Retention)

+
Team Meeting Team Dinner Housekeeping Week
See

Industry-wide staffing crisis. 50% average turnover. Constant recruiting and training costs eroding margins.

Shape

Culture-first approach: clear advancement paths, transparent communication, genuine recognition, team ownership of guest experience.

Sell

80% retention rate. Reduced recruiting costs. Experienced team delivering consistent service. Culture as competitive advantage.

The Programming

The 2026 Playbook

Twelve months anchored to the Academy calendar, Chesapeake seasonality, and Graduate's nostalgic spirit.

Q1: The Hearth (Winter on West St)

January
Grit & Grace

Vibe: Plebe Winter Resilience (The "Dark Ages")

Special: "The Warm-Up" — Hot Toddies and Irish Coffees by the fire in the Lobby

Activation: "The Atrium Cinema" — Projecting classic Navy films in the massive indoor atrium

Tentpole: "Resolution Brunch" — High-end recovery brunch to start the year

February
Love & Letters

Vibe: Old School Romance

Special: "Sealed with a Kiss" — Custom stationery stations in Poindexter for writing home

Activation: "Library Love Stories" — Acoustic sets in the Poindexter Coffee library

Tentpole: "The Sweetheart Dinner" — Prix-fixe Valentine's menu at Trophy Room

March
Luck & Lacrosse

Vibe: Maryland's State Sport

Special: "The Stick Check" — Local craft beer buckets during televised Lax games

Activation: "Shamrock on West" — Extending St. Patrick's festivities from the street into the hotel

Tentpole: "Spring Breakout" — Patio opening party as the weather breaks

Q2: The Lawn (Spring in the Arts District)

April
Wickets & Wardrobe

Vibe: The Annapolis Cup (Croquet)

Special: "The Gatsby" — Gin Rickeys and Mint Juleps

Activation: "The Wicket Widget" — Pre-game croquet set up in the courtyard before the walk to St. John's

Tentpole: "The After-Wicket" — Official post-match party for the "Johnnies" and Mids

May
Badge & Bravery

Vibe: Honoring First Responders & Military

Special: "The Hero's Pour" — A portion of proceeds from a specific tap goes to local First Responder charities

Activation: "Red, White & Blue Happy Hour" — Weekly socials inviting local police/fire/EMT

Tentpole: "Commissioning Week Basecamp" — The hub for families in town for graduation

June
Plebes & Promises

Vibe: Induction Day (I-Day)

Special: "The Send-Off" — Comfort food menus for emotional families dropping off their kids

Activation: "The 5:30 Club" — Supportive happy hour for parents after the final goodbye at Alumni Hall

Tentpole: "Solstice on West" — Celebrating the longest day of the year on the patio

Q3: The District (Summer in the City)

July
Stars & Stripes

Vibe: Independence Day in the Capital

Special: "The Patriot" — Red, White, & Blue frozen drinks

Activation: "The Front Porch" — Patio as VIP seating for the First Sunday Arts Festival on West St

Tentpole: "Crab & Queer" — Mid-summer Maryland Crab Feast on the patio

August
Crush & Canvas

Vibe: Peak Maryland Summer

Special: "Orange Crush Month" — The official drink of Annapolis, done 5 different ways

Activation: "Plein Air" — Partnering with Arts District painters to set up easels in the lobby/atrium

Tentpole: "Dog Days" — Massive pet-friendly event (Graduate loves dogs)

September
Kingdom & Kickoff

Vibe: Navy Football Returns

Special: "The Tailgate" — Elevated cooler packages guests can walk to the stadium (1 mile West)

Activation: "The March" — Organizing a guest walk from the hotel to the stadium

Tentpole: "The Home Opener" — Massive ballroom watch party for those without tickets

Q4: The Tradition (History & Holiday)

October
Masts & Mysteries

Vibe: Boat Shows & Haunted History

Special: "Captain's Call" — Rum-forward cocktail menus

Activation: "Ghost of John Paul Jones" — Haunted history tours starting in the lobby

Tentpole: "The Captain's Quarters" — Quiet, upscale retreat for Boat Show buyers escaping the harbor chaos

November
Rivals & Reunion

Vibe: Army-Navy Spirit

Special: "Beat Army" — Themed menu items mocking the rival branch

Activation: "Spirit Spot" — Letter writing station to deployed troops

Tentpole: "Thanksgiving Homecoming" — A place for locals to gather ("Drinksgiving")

December
Bells & Buoys

Vibe: A Nautical Holiday

Special: "Lights on the Bay" — Hot Cocoa to-go for the drive to Sandy Point

Activation: "Midnight Madness" — Partnering with West Street retail for late-night shopping events

Tentpole: "The Anchor Drop" — New Year's Eve nautical style

The Methodology

Three Pillars

Every property I've transformed has been built on three strategic pillars. At Graduate Annapolis, these pillars are anchored to the Naval Academy's traditions and the Chesapeake's culture.

The Yard

Naval Academy programming that makes Graduate Annapolis the unofficial living room for Midshipmen families. I-Day hospitality suites. Commissioning Week headquarters. Parents Weekend watch parties. Every Academy milestone becomes a revenue opportunity.

The Bay

Chesapeake culture as a programming foundation. Crab feasts. Oyster nights. Sailing season partnerships. Wednesday Night Racing watch parties. The waterfront isn't just location—it's content.

The Rivalry

Army-Navy as the ultimate tentpole. Pre-game brunches. Watch parties. "Beat Army" cocktails. The biggest rivalry in college sports, and Graduate Annapolis at the center of Navy Nation's celebrations.

The System

Programming Architecture

12-Month Activation Calendar

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Monthly Theme
Anchored to Academy Calendar + Chesapeake Seasonality
Weekly Activation
Trivia Tuesdays · Live Music Fridays · Sunday Brunch
Quarterly Tentpole
Commissioning Week · I-Day · Army-Navy · NYE
F&B Specials
Seasonal Menus · Signature Cocktails · Chef Collaborations

The Proof of Concept

America 250

Right now, I'm executing a year-long partnership with partners like John Deere around America's 250th anniversary—proving this isn't theory. It's how I operate.

Monthly programming themes. Corporate sponsorship integration. Community engagement at every level. The same systematic approach I'd bring to Graduate Annapolis, anchored to the Naval Academy's traditions instead of the nation's founding.

Annapolis was briefly the U.S. capital. George Washington resigned his commission here. The Naval Academy has trained officers since 1845. History isn't just backdrop—it's programming gold.

America 250 Programming Calendar

Let's Talk

Autograph Collection to #1 in Iowa. Community relaunches that draw thousands. Teams that stay. I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can help write Graduate Annapolis's next chapter.

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