John Guertin knows what it means to build a business from the ground up. His experience has included such divergent aspects of the real estate industry as hands-on building construction and management of hotels, resorts, and marinas.

Along with his wife Lori, John has pursued a life of giving back to the community. For example, in gratitude to the physicians and staff at Massachusetts General Hospital who helped him regain the ability to walk as a child, John and Lori have lent generous support to the MGH fund. In 2007, the pediatric orthopedic waiting room at MGH was named in their honor. Further, John starts each week by climbing the 294 steps of Boston’s Bunker Hill Monument. Why? Once, he could not take even one step; he’s now determined to use the gift he’s been given.

John and Lori have also joined forces with the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center to sponsor the “Mattress a Month for Vets” program, which provides comfortable bedding for the families of veterans in need.

Driven by a passion for the Hospitality business, Stephen Leonard has been with New England Hospitality since 2016.  

Stephen began his career in hospitality as a dishwasher at a family restaurant at the age of 14. He attended Newbury College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to study Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Administration.

Stephen resides in Billerica, MA with his wife Michelle and two sons, Conor and Cameron. Stephen enjoys volunteering, coaching youth sports, sitting on the Little League Board of Directors, and working closely with numerous Veterans groups.

Giving back to the community is an ethos he shares with John and Lori. These core values are what make our hotels a special place to stay and work.

Kathy began working for Essex Street Inn and New England Hospitality as a part–time front desk clerk and single mother in the spring of 2005. At the time the property consisted of only 2 buildings and 19 total guest rooms. Over the years she has had the pleasure of growing with the Inn, into what is now a 3 building establishment with 37 Rooms, known as Essex Street Inn & Suites, Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels.

Kathy has 3 adult children and 2 cats names Cammie Lou and Sasha Lee. Over the years she has studied Business Management at Northern Essex Community College and taken Classes through the Newburyport Adult Education program for Marketing and Social Media.

In her free time Kathy enjoys making homemade jewelry, attending concerts, camping and spending time with family.

Day in and day out over the last 16 years it has been her drive and pleasure to continue to be a part of Essex Street Inn & Suites, Ascend Hotel Collection’s growth, as well as welcoming our new and repeat guests to the beautiful area Newburyport, Massachusetts has to offer.

Melissa came to New England Hospitality after completing seven years of service with the United States Coast Guard.  While serving she was a Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, where she drove boats for search and rescue operations. 

Melissa joined our team in February of 2025, and brings her unique experience managing rescue operations to property management.  She enjoys volunteering her time, being involved with her church, and spending time with her German Shepherd, Vader. 

Shelley grew up in small town New Hampshire, and started her hospitality career as a front desk clerk at a Marriott hotel while a student in Orlando, Florida. The experience introduced her to a whole new world. Something about hospitality clicked, and she’s been passionate about it ever since. Shelley has worked for Marriott, Radisson, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, and independent hotels. In 2001, after a decade away, she returned to New England.  

 Shelley lives in Wakefield, New Hampshire with her husband Alijah, her stepson Asher, and two English Mastiffs Beorn and Astrid. She loves dogs, exploring New Hampshire’s beautiful forests, mushroom foraging, live music, and reading both fiction and non-fiction.

Katerina is deeply rooted in this special region of NH. Her family can be traced back locally over 200 years. She grew up in Sunapee NH. After living up and down the East Coast, she chose to return to the area to raise her family.

Through the years she worked predominantly in horticulture and retail management and found those skills segwayed beautifully into hospitality. Providing the best customer service possible while sharing her love of the area lakes, mountains and people is her passion.

She currently resides with her boyfriend Joshua on a small farm in the neighboring town of Goshen. She loves many creative pursuits including gardening, stained glass, and pottery to name a few. Spending time with her mother, daughter and granddaughter is the highlight of her life.