David A. Lenz, CHA 
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

David Lenz founded The North Central Group in 1981. The company is now comprised of three entities, North Central Management, Inc., North Central Mortgage Company, Inc., and North Central Group Hotel Investors, LLC. The Group was formed for the purpose of engaging in mortgage brokerage and real estate activities, including developing and managing hotels. Dave is responsible for the company's long-term growth strategy and dynamic positioning in the hospitality industry.

Dave is a member of Hilton Worldwide Hampton Inn & Suites Franchise Advisory Council and Courtyard by Marriott Frachise Advisory Council.  He is a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) by the american Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), past founding board member of PROMAC (Promus Acceptance Corporation), past member of the Super 8 Motels Inc. Presidents Advisory Council, and a board member of the University of Wisconsin James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate.  Dave is also allied with a number of civic and community activities.  He was a past founding member of the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House of Madison, is a member of the University of Wisconsin Bascom Hill Society, the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association, and the United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Society. 

Dave began his energetic career as a commercial loan officer and appraiser.  He has also had a challenging role as a fighter pilot with the Wisconsin Air National Guard.  He held the rank of major in the 176th Tactical Fighter Squadron.  Today he continues his aviation interest by acting as chief pilot for North Central Management's corporate aircraft.  Dave holds a BBA in Real Estate and Finance from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Jonathan D. Bogatay, CHA
President & Chief Operating Officer

Jonathan Bogatay serves as the President and Chief Operating Officer of The North Central Group. He is a key stakeholder in setting the strategic and tactical direction for the company's long-term growth.  In addition, he is responsible for overseeing the successful performance of the management company, and growing portfolio of hotels. 

Prior to joining The North Central Group, Jonathan held several senior management positions with various lodging operators, as well as having worked as a Regional Director with the Promus Hotel Corporation, now a part of the Hilton Hotels Corporation. He holds a BS in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Christopher Newport College. Jonathan brings with him over 25 years of hospitality experience and a unique insight into the world of hotel operations and organizational growth and development.

Jonathan is currently serving on the Board of Directors for both the Spirit of Greater Madison and the Hilton Garden Inn Franchise Advisory Council.  He is also a past board member of the Greater Madison Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the AH & LA Council of Inn & Suites, and a former ad hoc member of Hampton Inn Hotels' "Make it Hampton" Brand Strategy and Operations Committee.

His philosophies on life and business are shared not only by his NCG family, but also by his wife, Lonnie, of 20 years and his two teenage children, Jacob and Rachel.

Jeff Lenz is Vice President, Chief Development Officer for North Central Group Hotel Investors, LLC. He is responsible for the overall development, construction and renovation of all new hotels within the North Central Group portfolio. His duties include conducting site selections, contract negotiations, land entitlement and franchise selection, in addition to acting as the owner's representative with regard to hotel design and construction. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Jeff went on to earn his Master of Science degree in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He began his career at The North Central Group as a Real Estate Analyst in 1995, and before moving into his current position, he also worked as an Associate for the mortgage banking firm Eberhardt Company in Denver, Colorado and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Jeff is very active in real estate and the local community as a member of the Urban Land Institute and the University of Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association in addition to being a Key Club Member of the United Way of Dane County. Jeff is also a licensed pilot and acts as co-pilot for The North Central Group's corporate aircraft.

Jane Braatz is Chief Financial Officer and Vice President Real Estate Asset Management for The North Central Group.  She is responsible for long-and short-range planning, asset management, coordinating and financing real estate transactions, identifying financial information trends and maintaining lender relations.  Before joining The North Central Group in 1988, Jane worked in the public accounting field with Ernst & Whinney and Morton, Nehls & Tierney.  She holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Jane is actively involved in the team recruitment committee for the Bike for Boys and Girls Club, and serves on the Board for Waunakee Hoops Club, Waunakee Touchdown Club and the Waunakee Scholarship Committee.

Cathy Gillman is Vice President, General Counsel for the North Central Group.  Her duties include legal counseling related to real estate transactions, general business matters, the hotel design and construction process, financing, and issues affecting operating hotels; conducting contract negotiations and due diligence; and overseeing outside legal counsel.

After earning a BS degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Cathy worked in the tax department of KPMG LLP in Minnesota.  She received a Masters in Business Taxation from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and a JD from the University of Minnesota Law School.  She clerked for Judge John T. Noonan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit before joining the Business Law Department of Foley & Lardner LLP in 1997.  While employed at Foley & Lardner LLP, Cathy also taught Business Law I at Madison Area Technical College.  She joined The North Central Group in 2006.

Cathy is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin and Minnesota, holds an inactive CPA license in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and is a member of the Wisconsin State Bar Association.  In her spare time, Cathy is an active volunteer for her children's schools and sports teams.

Laura L. Jaggi, SPHR
Vice President,
Human Resources 

  

Laura Jaggi serves as the Vice President of Human Resources for The North Central Group. Laura has oversight of all human resources activities for the corporate staff and our portfolio of hotels, including organizational development, employee relations, training and development, employment law, benefits and compensation, and recruitment and selection. She has over 16 years of human resources experience, 14 years with The North Central Group.

Laura is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a BBA degree and an emphasis in human resources. She has been an active local chapter member of the Greater Madison Area Society for Human Resources Management (GMA SHRM) and national SHRM member since 1992. Laura enjoys traveling, reading and gardening.

Douglas L. Kinney
Director of Technology

Doug Kinney leads the development and execution of technology initiatives, including strategic planning and project management as Director of Technology for The North Central Group.  He manages the implementation, installation and operation of information and functional systems for the company.  These systems include computers, servers, networking equipment, software, television, and telephone systems for the corporate office, and each of our hotels. 

Doug has been in the technology field for 15 years, 10 of which have been with The North Central Group.  He graduated from Concordia University with a BS in Business Administration.  Doug is a big music fan and enjoys playing guitar, weight training and biking, and avoids camping and cooking whenever possible.

Mark E. Lenerz
Controller

As Controller of The North Central Group, Mark Lenerz is responsible for the financial and fiscal management aspects of the company operations.  Mark also provides leadership and coordination in the financial reporting, accounting, administrative, budgeting, and purchasing areas within The North Central Group and our hotels.

Mark earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.  He began his career in public accounting and eventually transitioned into accounting positions in various industries.  Most recently, he was Chief Financial Officer for a commercial real estate development company.  With fifteen years of accounting experience, Mark joined The North Central Group in 2008.

Mark is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the WICPA and AICPA.  He enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, as well as participating in, coaching, and watching sports.