OUR TEAM
BARRY EAGLE
President/CEO
Barry Eagle - President/CEO
Barry Eagle, President/CEO, put a plan in place in 2006 to create an innovative hands-on management company with vision and a commitment to excellence in all facets of hotel operations and sales. Crown Hotel and Travel Management, LLC opened in 2008 with one goal in mind – to deliver financial results for hotel investors and give on-site assistance rarely seen from other management companies.
His hospitality career spans over twenty-seven years, working with brands such as Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Sheraton, Choice, Best Western and several independent hotels. His professionalism and integrity are well known in the industry, along with his leadership. For much of his career, he led the sales and marketing initiatives for distressed hotels where he gained the reputation for turning around a property’s financial performance.
Barry attended the Community College of the Air Force and Jeff Davis College and currently holds degrees in Business Management and Business Administration. He served six years in the United States Air Force where he received the Inspector General’s Award for Excellence and the John Levitow Award for Leadership.
He currently serves on the Tru by Hilton Owners Advisory Council as well as the Leland Tourism Development Authority and is a member of Association Executives of North Carolina and has served on the Board of Directors for Meeting Planners International – Carolinas Chapter, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and the Swansboro Military Affairs Committee. Barry is also a licensed real estate broker and lives in Wilmington, NC with his wife Angela and his four daughters.
RHETT RAYNOR
Chairman of the Board
Rhett Raynor - Chairman of the Board
Rhett is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Crown Hotel and Travel Management, LLC and serves along with Barry Eagle as its Co-manager. He serves on the board and was the former Chairman of the North Carolina Developmental Disabilities Facilities Association and on the board of Rubicon Management, Inc. He has an extensive background in contracted management services for both governmental and private entities.
Originally from Wayne County, North Carolina, Rhett has lived in Dunn, NC for over 35 years. He currently serves as CEO and Chairman of Life, Inc., headquartered in Goldsboro, NC. Life, Inc. has been in business for over forty years and is one of North Carolina’s larger providers for residential services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Rhett graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Science Education from East Carolina University. He taught physics and chemistry and coached football in various areas in eastern North Carolina before his venture in the business world. Rhett and his wife Sharon have two children, and all are enthusiastic supporters of ECU.
JOHN SANDLIN
Director of Development/Partner
John Sandlin - Director of Development/Partner
John is dedicated to community service and has served in many different capacities such as International Council of Shopping Centers, New Hanover County Meals on Wheels Board of Director, Board of Trustees – Wrightsville United Methodist Church, Wrightsville Beach Lions Club and Cameron Executive Network – Cameron School of Business – University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
John is a graduate of Wake Forest University and holds an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. He is also a Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI).
LINDA THORNLEY
Vice President of Operations
Linda Thornley - VP / Corporate Director of Operations
As the VP – Corporate Director of Operations she assists in all operational matters for all owned and managed hotels along with on and off site assistance with new projects. Linda is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and is a diehard Gamecock fan. She currently resides in Swansboro, NC with her son.
JOSH EMETT
Chief Financial Officer
Josh Emett - Chief Financial Officer
As our Chief Financial Officer, Josh is responsible for overseeing our accounting team and supporting our general managers in their financial roles. He implements and reviews our internal controls and assists in the development and execution of our budgets. He also advises the board on reporting, investing, and risk management.
Josh was born and raised in Utah and currently lives in Wilmington, NC with his wife and three children.
TINISHA GREEN
Revenue Strategist/HOA Manager
Tinisha Green - Revenue Strategist/HOA Manager
As Revenue Strategist, Tinisha ensures our hotels maximize revenue opportunities at the highest level. She is responsible for analyzing trends and identifying growth prospects. She works closely with our Director of Operations, Regional Director of Sales, and our General Managers to identify and execute our profit objectives. Additionally, she manages the monthly revenues of our three Homeowner Association properties.
Tinisha grew up in Fayetteville, NC and received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fayetteville State University. She went on to get her Masters in Business Administration from University of Phoenix. Tinisha currently resides in Leland, NC with her husband and three children.
DIXON PUTNAM
Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing
Dixon Putnam - Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing
Dixon oversees all corporate sales and marketing efforts and works directly with all hotel Director of Sales to maximize revenue and exposure for all properties. Along with his hotel responsibilities, Dixon is also responsible for the sales, marketing and negotiating efforts of our Travel Management division.
Dixon serves on several committees with the Association Executives of North Carolina, as well as the Swansboro Military Affairs Committee. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Service Leisure Management from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and was presented the UNCW College of Health and Applied Human Services Most Outstanding Alumni in 2008. He now serves on the UNCW College of Health and Applied Human Services advisory board. Dixon currently resides in Wilmington, NC with his wife Katy and 3 children, Nate, Tanner, and Rylan.
LEAH RAJA
Regional Director of Operations
Leah Raja - Area Director of Operations
Leah joined the Crown Hotel and Travel Management team in 2017 as the General Manager of the New Hampton Inn located in Sneads Ferry, NC. She is a 2001 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. Leah has been in the service industry for over 20 years and has been a General Manager for over 14 years. She has worked in both select/focused service and full-service hotels throughout her career. She has worked for Hyatt Corporation, Marriott, Hilton and Independent hotels.
As the Regional Director of Operations, she assists the Corporate Director of Operations in all operational matters for all owned and managed hotels along with on and off- site assistance with all new projects.
Leah is a fanatic Penn State Nittany Lion football fan and has a true passion for music and singing. She currently resides in Wilmington, NC with her husband, Faisal.
TIFFANY SIDBERRY
Regional Director of Operations
Tiffany Sidberry - Area Director of Operations
Tiffany joined the Crown Hotel and Management team in 2017 as the General Manager of the Fairfield Inn located in Dunn and was the opening General Manager for our first Tru by Hilton, located in Garner. She is a 2004 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Tiffany has been in the hospitality industry for 15 years, working in both full-service and select/focused service, having worked for Extended Stay, Marriott and Hilton properties. As the Regional Director of Operations, she assists the Corporate Director of Operations in all operational matters for all owned and managed hotels along with on and off- site assistance with all new projects.Tiffany is enjoying being a soccer and band mom as she resides in Garner with her husband Daisel and 3 children.
KAITLYN BARNETTE
Digital Marketing Strategist
Kaitlyn Barnette - Digital Marketing Specialist
Kaitlyn joined Crown July of 2021 as our Digital Marketing Strategist. She keeps our properties relevant with all aspects of our online presence. Kaitlyn is responsible for managing and creating engaging content within all social media outlets as well as updating both branded and local websites. She also monitors all review sites to ensure we are responding to guests needs in a timely and efficient manner. Additionally, she collaborates with both our revenue strategy and sales/marketing teams with the implementation of promotional events and marketing strategies. Kaitlyn also assists in daily operations within the corporate office, including administrative duties and escalated customer care needs. When she isn’t working Kaitlyn watches reruns of “The Office”, “I love lucy” and bakes.
Originally from Virginia Beach, VA she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Criminology from Flagler College and currently resides in Wilmington, NC.
LAUREN CROSSMAN
Executive Coordinator
Lauren Crossman - Executive Coordinator
Lauren brings a diverse background in hospitality, property management, and customer service. She plays a pivotal role in supporting operations, with responsibilities that include assisting the Board of Directors and Executive Team. With over five years of experience in property management and three years at a Credit Union call center, Lauren has developed a solid foundation in Excellent Customer Service along with impeccable Administartive skills.
Lauren has a Bachelors degree in Hospitality Management and a minor in Business from East Carolina University. Outside of work she enjoys the beach, cooking, baking, and staying active.
JUSTIN CRIBB
Controller
Justin Cribb - Senior Accountant
Justin is originally from Morven NC but currently resides in Wilmington. He has over 10 years of experience with public accounting. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with an accounting concentration and was Manga cum laude. He also holds a Master of Science in Accounting from East Carolina University. Justin is an avid reader, enjoys hunting with his father and is somewhat of a cooking connoisseur.
BRANDON A.F. WATERS
Senior Accountant
Brandon A.F Waters - Accountant
Brandon is an alumnus of the Honors College and the John Chambers College of Business & Economics at West Virginia University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBAd) with a major in Accounting in May 2018, graduating as a University Honors Scholar and with Cum Laude Latin Honors.
During his undergraduate career, Brandon was heavily involved with the Student Government Association, having been elected by the student body to serve in the legislative branch, the Board of Governors, on a platform of inclusion and accessibility. After his tenure, Brandon was appointed to serve in the Executive Cabinet.
Brandon accepted a busy-season internship with CohnReznick LLP, in Bethesda, Maryland, performing audits of REITs, investment funds, private equity real estate firms, real estate developers, commercial real estate owners and operators (flex space, office, industrial parks, retail), hotels, and multifamily residential properties.
After graduation, Brandon again entered public accounting as a consultant for Baker Tilly US, LLP, in Baltimore, Maryland, in the Risk & Regulatory Advisory practice. While at Baker Tilly, Brandon conducted risk-focused examinations of domiciled insurers with controlled-assets greater than $1 trillion, as a contracted insurance examiner for numerous state insurance departments throughout the United States. He also worked in the firm’s HITRUST practice, having singlehandedly overhauled the firm’s risk and control testing documentation.
Brandon is well-versed in regulatory compliance; due diligence; financial analysis, advisory, and audit; external, internal, and security audit; data analysis and visualization; SOC; NIST 800-53; and GAAP.
Brandon has a passion for medicine, having worked as a medical scribe and scribe supervisor for several years with WVU Medicine, overseeing a staff of approximately 100 scribes throughout 21+ departments within the West Virginia University Health System. He has also worked as an inpatient pharmacy technician at the JW Ruby Memorial Hospital, holding his Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential, for which he maintains active continuing education.
In July 2023, Brandon moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he resides with his best friend and little brother, a six-year-old American Cocker Spaniel, Bentley Reagan James.
PAIGE RIGGS
Accountant
Paige Riggs - Accountant
Paige brings a wealth of experience in various areas of accounting, including tax, audit, and business consultations. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Duquesne University and spent three years as a tax accountant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Paige recently relocated to Wilmington to be closer to family. Outside of work, she enjoys going to the beach, spending time with family, reading, and watching sports.
accounting, operational & administrative support staff
MADDIE CHAMBERS
Administrative Assistant
MATTHEW THORNLEY
Revenue Manager
accounting, operational & administrative support staff
MADDIE CHAMBERS
Administrative Assistant
