About Dora Hotel Company

About Our Company

After more than a half century in the business, it’s safe to say the Dora family knows the hospitality industry. It’s a family tradition that carries on to this day after operating high-quality hotels since 1958. Dora Hotel Company, LLC owner Tim Dora is proud to continue the family legacy through his Indiana-based hospitality management company.

“We develop awesome hotels that are creatively designed, meticulously maintained and sparkling clean,” Dora said. “We do this because we love it and we are really good at it.”

Dora Hotel Company oversees 20-plus properties throughout Indiana. Tim Dora is a principal in most of the properties, while those not owned are operated under management agreements.
The company works with multiple global hotel brands including Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT), Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), InterContinental Hotels Group (NYSE: IHG), as well as several other independent properties. Dora Hotel Company specializes in real estate development and management, and owns, develops and/or manages restaurants, office buildings and parking garages in addition to hotels. The company provides a full range of hospitality services including accounting and financial reporting, purchasing, design and construction services, franchisor relationships, sales administration and revenue management.

Our team members are dedicated to providing our guests with outstanding service in impeccably clean and well-maintained hotels. We aggressively renovate our hotels to provide our guests with the highest-quality facilities in the markets that they serve. We carefully select and train our team members to ensure quality customer service. Our success is achieved by providing our guests with service and facilities that are second to none, and by maximizing asset values for our partners and clients.

For a first-class hospitality experience, visit a Dora Hotel Company property next time you’re on the go – and tell them Murphy sent you.

Load more

Show less

Behind Our Success

Tim Dora — Tim Dora

Tim Dora

President

Tim Dora holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Finance from the University of Colorado. He is the owner of Dora Hotel Company, a Hotel Development and Management Company as well as Vision Building Company, a general contracting and construction management firm.

Tim takes pride knowing Dora Hotel Company, LLC, is one of Indiana’s most successful hotel management companies. The company’s portfolio covers a wide range of hotel brands with locations throughout Indiana. From innovative products such as Hotel Indigo to traditional favorites such as Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Tim and his team develop and manage high-demand properties in key markets.

Tim’s properties have been recipients of numerous awards for quality and service excellence including Developer of the Year Award from Hilton Worldwide and Developer of the Year Award from Intercontinental Hotels Group. He has been involved in the management, development and opening of over forty hotels during his career in the hospitality industry.

He is the former Chairman of the Hotel Indigo Owner’s Association for Intercontinental Hotels Group. Tim is the past President and Board Member of the Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association and has served on several hospitality related boards and committees. The American Hotel & Lodging Association has designated him as a Certified Hotel Administrator. He is the former Chairman of Premier Capital Corporation of Indianapolis, Indiana a Certified Development Corporation of the Small Business Administration.

Chris Dora — Chris Dora

Chris Dora

Vice President

Chris Dora graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance in 2018. Chris joined the Accounting team in 2020. Prior to joining Dora Hotel Company, Chris worked as an Accounting Analyst for J.C. Penney in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wendy Bland — Wendy Bland

Wendy Bland

Regional Manager

An employee of Tim Dora’s for over 16 years and a hospitality professional of 22 years, Wendy Bland provides a wealth of experience in daily hotel operations, hotel construction, renovations, plus food and beverage knowledge. During her time with Dora Hotel Company and Dora Brothers Hospitality, Wendy has overseen the construction and opening of over 14 hotel properties including independent, extended-stay plus limited and full-service properties. During the design and construction phase, her goal has been to accommodate the needs of today's hotel guest while ensuring on-time openings. Wendy has also maintained the role of General Manager and Regional General Manager of numerous hotels. Her focus has been to train new hotel staff as well as organize hotel procedures to guarantee guest satisfaction long into the future. This attention to detail has helped Dora Hotels gain a strong reputation of customer service that Wendy is proud to continue.

Cindy Waddle — Cindy Waddle

Cindy Waddle

Regional Manager

Ms. Waddle is a graduate of the University of Evansville, with a B.A. in Education specializing in Communications and English. She has been in the hospitality industry for 18 years and currently serves on the Columbus CVB Board of Directors, as well as serving as Secretary on the Executive Committee for the CVB. She is a member of the Women's Giving Circle of Bartholomew County as well.

She has management experience in Food & Beverage, Sales & Catering, and Front Office Operations. She has managed hotels as well as extended stay facilities for Dora Hotel Company for the last 9 years and has been a Regional Manager for Dora properties for the last 7 years. Ms. Waddle has overseen two renovation projects within Dora and has been the lead operations manager in the opening of the first new-build Hotel Indigo within the brand.

As the manager of the Hotel Indigo, Columbus, the property has won the 2009 Newcomer Award, 2010 Torchbearer Award, and 2011 Torchbearer Award from Intercontinental Hotels Group. Ms. Waddle was awarded the title of General Manager of the Year for Hotel Indigo properties in 2011.

Erica Free — Erica Free

Erica Free

Regional Manager

Erica Free has over 25 years of Hospitality experience. She has managed many select service properties including dual-branded properties in almost every sector of the business –corporate, extended stay, franchised, and independent. She has extensive experience with new openings, renovation planning, and asset management. Erica’s commitment and desire to provide the highest customer service is marked through outstanding quality assurance evaluations, employee retention, and high-ranking guest service scores.

Most recently as the General Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn, she was able to obtain her MBA at Indiana State University. She currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Marketing Department within the Scott College of Business at Indiana State University.

Kelly Tabeling — Kelly Tabeling

Kelly Tabeling

Regional Manager

Kelly, a hospitality industry veteran of more than twenty years, joined Dora Hotel Company in 1995. She served as General Manager for numerous hotels and most recently as Regional Manager. During this time she supervised numerous hotel renovations. She has overseen the construction and opening of two Hilton Garden Inns and Hotel Indigo. Kelly’s hotel’s received several awards over the years, including a Quality Excellence Award and Renovation Award. She has management experience in Sales and Catering and Food and Beverage in addition to extensive Front desk experience. Her duties now include working with the General Managers in the day-to-day operations of the hotels. Kelly believes strongly in Dora Hotel Company's hands on management approach, developing and nurturing our service culture. She is passionate about the company values and maintaining high quality hotels.

Eric Groganz — Eric Groganz

Eric Groganz

Corporate Controller

Eric Groganz is a graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance. He began his accounting career with Dora Hotel Company in 2013. In 2015, Eric transitioned to governmental accounting working for the Indiana Finance Authority. He returned to Dora Hotel Company in 2019 as the assistant controller.

Leslie Mimms — Leslie Mimms

Leslie Mimms

Chief Financial Officer

Leslie graduated from Indiana State University earning her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and started her career in public accounting. In 1996, she acquired her CPA license in the state of Indiana. Leslie worked in public accounting for nearly 13 years, while 11 of those years were with the accounting firm Katz, Sapper and Miller working on hospitality clients before transitioning into the private accounting sector. For the past ten years, she has been sharping her debit and credit skills in the hospitality industry as Corporate Controller of a hotel management company. Leslie joined Dora Hotel Company in 2019 as Controller leading the accounting team with her 20 years of hospitality accounting experience.

Mandy Leverenz — Mandy Leverenz

Mandy Leverenz

Mandy is a graduate of IUPUI with a B.S. in Tourism, Conventions and Event Management. Mandy has worked for Dora Hotel Company since 2007. She began working at the Hotel Indigo in Fishers, IN. Since then, she has worked at several of our properties over the years. Mandy has worn many hats throughout her time with Dora. She has worked in the Accounting Department, Operations, Development, and Construction. In 2024 she will be the Director of Sales at Hotel Nickle Plate.

Teresa Smith — Teresa Smith

Teresa Smith

Accountant

Ms. Smith is a graduate of Ball State University with a B.A. in Geography specializing in Travel and Tourism and a minor in Business. Teresa has been in the hospitality business for 25 years, all of them working for the Dora Family. She began working at the Holiday Inn in Anderson in 1987 and performed duties including Night Audit, Guest Service Representative, and Bookkeeper. In 2007, she transferred to the Holiday Inn Express-Fishers where she was Front Office Manager. Shortly thereafter, she joined the staff at the corporate office of Dora Brothers Hospitality where she was an Administrative and Accounting Assistant. Teresa began working for Dora Hotel Company in March 2010 as an Accounting Assistant.

Kevin Johnston — Kevin Johnston

Kevin Johnston

Accountant

When he’s not slipping Murphy copious amounts of people food, Kevin can be found crunching numbers in the hallowed stillness of the Dora Hotel Company Accounting Department.

Prior to joining Dora, Kevin spent nine years at the now-defunct St. Vincent Marten House Hotel and Lilly Conference Center as the Accounting Supervisor and a Night Auditor. He studied Sports Communication at Indiana University in Bloomington, and New Media at IUPUI in Indianapolis.

Kevin also works as a Freelance Correspondent for The Indianapolis Star, covering the Indy Eleven and other sports, and he’s the Founder and Managing Editor of soccer news outlet SocTakes.com. His drab musings have infiltrated many desolate parts of the Internet.

Born and raised in the Circle City, the Indy lifer has never met a breaded tenderloin he didn’t like. He often wakes up in cold sweats from recurring nightmares of debits and credits, but satisfies his massive OCD with dreams of perfect accordion folds and balanced bank reconciliations by day.

Chrissy Johnston — Chrissy Johnston

Chrissy Johnston

Corporate Sales Manager

Chrissy Johnston has nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry servicing markets in the Midwest. She began her career in hotel operations at the St. Vincent Marten House Hotel & Lilly Conference Center, eventually becoming the Catering Sales Manager before assuming the role of Director of Sales at the Holiday Inn Express Downtown Indianapolis. Her expertise includes sales, catering, event planning, marketing, social media, and operations.

Chrissy studied Tourism, Conventions and Event Management at IUPUI and started her career with Dora Hotel Company in 2013. She currently serves as the Corporate Sales Manager focusing on corporate sales, sales strategy, sales plans, customer acquisition, revenue management, and portfolio expansion.

Theresa Gallivan — Theresa Gallivan

Theresa Gallivan

Human Resources

Theresa currently serves as Director of Human Resources for Dora Hotel Company. Ms. Gallivan joined Dora Hotel Company in 2013, bringing with her over 20 progressive years of business experience, human resources management, and enthusiasm for excellence. Her primary responsibilities include employee relations, compensation and benefits, compliance, training and development. Before working with Dora, Theresa was the Director of Human Resources for St. Vincent Marten House Hotel in Indianapolis. Ms.Gallivan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Dora Hotel Company from her extensive background with Hilton Hotels where she gained diverse experience in Front Office Operations, Sales, Catering, Human Resources, and Administration.

Darlene Lambert — Darlene Lambert

Darlene Lambert

Payroll Manager

Ms. Lambert is a HR payroll generalist specializing in HRIS implementations. She also has services in a variety of departments including employment, benefits, compliance and disciplinary issues for all company associates. Ms. Lambert has led a successful integration of all Payroll and Human Resource programs and policies. Darlene started her career with Dora Brothers Hospitality in 1996. Since this time she has held a number of key roles giving Darlene the perspective and understanding to be an outstanding Payroll Manager.

Liz Hardin — Liz Hardin

Liz Hardin

Office Administrator

Liz has over 10 years of office management experience. Her background includes working in dental, sales and collections, and her favorite: dry cleaning. She has a vast knowledge of accounts receivable, collections, marketing, client relationships, and quality customer service. She joined Dora Hotel Company in 2021 as the Office Administrator and Accounts Payable Clerk.

Elizabeth Yorger — Elizabeth Yorger

Elizabeth Yorger

Construction Coordinator

Construction is an integral part of Elizabeth’s life, as four generations of her family worked in various construction trades. She is a graduate of William Woods University with a B.S. in Equestrian Science and a minor in Business Administration. She has a broad range of experience in construction administration as well as customer service in the financial services industry. She enjoys traveling and the personal growth that comes through experiencing different cultures. She joined Vision Building Company in October 2017.

John Jeffries — John Jeffries

John Jeffries

Corporate Director of Food and Beverage

John started working in hotels as a Banquet Setup Houseman while attending West Virginia University, as it was “just a good job for beer money.” Since starting in that position 20 years ago, he discovered his passion for hospitality and creating memorable experiences, and food and beverage to be a great avenue to deliver those experiences. He has held almost every position in the food and beverage world while climbing the ladder, working for some great companies, and learning from even better food and beverage professionals in the industry. While in Denver, he was the Food and Beverage Supervisor of a 422-room, $8 million food and beverage operation at the Westin Denver Downtown. From there, he was a Food and Beverage Manager of a 250-room Hilton Garden Inn with a Colorado-themed specialty restaurant. He has also been Director of Event Operations for the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport, overseeing 90,000 square feet of meeting space. In 2017, he opened his first hotel as Director of Food and Beverage of the Moxy Denver Cherry Creek, which at the time was only the fourth Moxy in the United States. The hotel was a pilot to serve several crucial changes in the brand, which played a pivotal role in helping Marriott grow to more than 40-plus Moxy hotels. Due to the success of opening Moxy, he assisted his previous company in four additional openings while still leading the Moxy food and beverage team. In 2021, he was promoted to Regional Director of Food and Beverage and moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he oversaw 18 properties across multiple brands with revenues exceeding $16 million. John joined the Dora Hotel Company team in June 2024.

News & Press Releases

The 19 Best Fall Family Vacations for 2024

US News & World Report, 8/27/24

‘I KNOW I HAVE A PURPOSE’

The Tribune Star, 7/13/24

Hotel Nickel Plate opens on 116th Street in Fishers

Current Publishing, 5/08/24

Development plan for downtown hotel, conference center OK'd

Yahoo News/Kokomo Tribune, 2/16/23

Big Projects To Watch for in Fishers

Indy Star, 1/03/23

Developer for downtown hotel, conference center 'committed' to project

Kokomo Tribune, 12/29/22

Hilton Garden Inn completes $5M renovation

Tribune-Star, 10/12/22

Downtown Hilton to get $3.5M renovation; update includes ‘the entire building’

Tribune Star, 10/06/21

New hotel and conference center announced; $26 million investment includes Hilton Garden Inn, 22K square foot conference center will be new home for the Kokomo Automotive Museum.

City of Kokomo, 9/15/22

Boutique hotel breaks ground in downtown Fishers along Nickel Plate Trail

Indy Star, 9/06/22

Boutique experience: Hotel Nickel Plate to be first of its kind in Fishers

Current, 9/13/22

Southern Indiana hotels, merchants welcome 2022’s activity

News and Tribune, 5/09/22

Browning, Dora Hotel Company Unveil Design for Hotel Nickel Plate, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton

City of Fishers, 3/30/22

Hotel demand in Kalamazoo hit an all-time high this summer

Michigan Live, 9/10/21

Dora Hotel Co. recognized in LUXlife Magazine’s Travel & Tourism Awards 2021

Press Release, 7/10/21

Home2 Suites by Hilton opens in downtown Kalamazoo

News Channel 3, 5/28/21

106-room Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel opens in downtown Kalamazoo

Michigan Live 5/28/21

Downtown Kalamazoo’s new Hilton Garden Inn opens at full capacity

Michigan Live 4/14/21

Look back at Gibson Guitar’s rich Kalamazoo history as Hard Rock plans new hotel

Michigan Live 3/04/21

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 100 Kellogg Lane (@100kellogg)
Hard Rock Hotels® Announces Development Plans For REVERB By Hard Rock™ Kalamazoo

Hard Rock International 3/01/21

Hard Rock plans first Canadian hotel in London's former Kellogg factory

The London Free Press, London ON 1/15/21

Hard Rock Hotels® Partners With Historic London, Ontario Property With Plans For New Hotel Development

PRNewswire, London ON 1/15/21

Renovated masonic temple home to Kalamazoo’s new downtown hotel

Michigan Live 12/01/20

Hilton Garden Inn opening in Downtown Kalamazoo at end of month

WKZO, Michigan 11/25/20

New Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Opens in Kalamazoo at Reduced Capacity

REBusiness Online, Midwest 11/30/20

Tribune-Star Editorial: Future getting brighter for downtown Terre Haute

Danville Commercial News, Illinois 11/20/20

Hotel Nickel Plate announced for downtown

Current, Indiana 12/19/19

Leaders hold ribbon cutting for new Terre Haute extended stay

WTHI-TV10, Indiana 5/13/19

DoubleTree by Hilton Lafayette East Honored as Contender for Connie Award

Hilton, Indiana 4/02/19

Developers secure $10.8 million in state funds for Kalamazoo hotel project

MiBiz, Indiana 2/26/19

Marriott Courtyard hotel coming to downtown

Tribune Star, Indiana 1/05/19

PlazaCorp plans $42M Hilton Garden Inn redevelopment in Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo News, Michigan 11/05/18

Gibson to Donate Property for Convention Center

MyWabashValley.com, Indiana 10/20/18

Two more hotels planned for burgeoning Whitestown development off I-65

Indianapolis Business Journal, Indiana 08/14/18

New Holiday Inn expected by Fall

The Republic, Indiana 06/24/18

Luxury and Comfort at DoubleTree by Hilton

06/18/18

Marriott Townplace Suites Grand Opening

04/25/18

$13M TownePlace Suites Opens Near Louisville Airport in Jeffersonville, Indiana

Rebusiness Online, Indiana 04/26/18

New hotel set to open near Big Four Bridge

Louisville Business First, Indiana 3/08/18

DoubleTree by Hilton Adds Two U.S. Hotels and One U.K. Hotel

Hotel Online, Indiana 12/14/17

A year in review: The restaurants and stores that came and left

Journal & Courier, Indiana 11/27/17

LongHorn Steakhouse will open Nov. 21 in Lafayette

Jornal & Courier, Indiana 11/17/17

Hotel near Big Four Bridge eyes new opening date after delays

Business First, Indiana 8/14/17

DoubleTree by Hilton Opens in Lafayette, Indiana

Rebusiness Online, Indiana 11/01/17

Dora Hotel Co. managing Carmel Holiday Inn

Indianapolis Business Journal, Indiana 11/04/17

Dora Hotel managing Staybridge Suites

Goshen News, Elkhart, Indiana 10/09/17

Dora Hotel Co. to Manage 92-Room Hotel in Whitestown, Indiana

Rebusiness Online, Indiana 10/11/17

Home2 Suites by Hilton to Open in Terre Haute, Indiana

Rebusiness Online, Indiana 9/01/17

New Hotel Coming to Terre Haute

Inside Indiana Business, Indiana 8/31/17

Home2 Suites by Hilton Coming to Terre Haute

My Wabash Valley, Indiana 8/31/17

New Holiday Inn Coming to Columbus

Inside Indiana Business, Indiana 7/31/17

LongHorn Steakhouse will open in Lafayette

Journal & Courier, Indiana 5/22/17

Dora Hotel Co. identified as prominent Kronos user in Indianapolis

Business Wire, Indiana 6/27/17

Dora Hotel Company takes over management of Hampton Inn Indianapolis NW/ Whitestown

Town of Whitestown, Indiana 10/09/17

Company officially announces extended-stay hotel in Terre Haute

WTHITV, Terre Haute, Indiana 8/31/17

Holiday Inn returning to Columbus: $9.75 million project aimed at being ‘first class’

The Republic, by Staff Reports 7/30/17

LongHorn Steakhouse and new DoubleTree by Hilton coming to Lafayette

Dora Hotel Company, LLC and Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) 5/22/2017

Hilton Worldwide’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Lafayette, IN Starts Construction

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) and Dora Hotel Company, LLC, Indiana 8/08/2016

Opening date set for $15 million hotel near Big Four Bridge

Louisville Business First, Kentucky 7/12/2016

Former Jeff school site to become Marriott

Courier-Journal, Kentucky 7/12/2016

Approved Tap House 24 concept another step in resurrecting Greencastle restaurant district

Banner Graphic, Greencastle, Indiana 3/11/2016

Weekend Getaway to Columbus, Indiana

Midwest Living / Travel / Indiana / Columbus, Indiana 3/17/2014

Dora Hotels takes over management of DePauw’s Walden Inn

Indianapolis Business Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana 5/22/2010

Dora Hotel Co. bringing new Holiday Inn Express to Sycamore Terrace

Tribune Star, Terre Haute, Indiana 9/25/2009

Now open: Candlewood Suites is second new hotel downtown in a year

Tribune Star, Terre Haute, Indiana 10/9/2008

Your Room is Ready

The Republic, Columbus, Indiana 2/9/2008

Mayor Kevin Burke slated to be new Hilton Garden Inn’s first guest

Tribune Star, Terre Haute, Indiana 8/28/2007

Load more

Show less