Meet the Speakers

  • Avery Carl is an Amazon bestselling author of Short Term Rental, Long Term Wealth and Smarter Short-Term Rentals, host of The Short Term Show (1M+ downloads), and CEO of The Short Term Shop, a short-term rental agency for three consecutive years, featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes. Starting on a $37K salary, she built a 250+ door portfolio in five years and teaches investors financial independence through vacation rentals.
    She hosts The Short Term Show, (with over 1 million downloads) which ranks in the Top 200 Education Podcasts and Top 100 Self-Improvement Podcasts in the US and has an online community of nearly 65k users. 

  • John R. Bradford, III, is an accomplished entrepreneur and CEO, bringing extensive experience from both property management and government. He is the founder of two successful ventures: Park Avenue Properties and PetScreening. Notably, PetScreening has achieved national recognition for four consecutive years as one of the fastest-growing privately held U.S. companies. In his government service, John served two terms as a town commissioner and four terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives. His legislative roles included serving as Freshman Majority Whip and Senior Chairman of the House Finance Committee.

  • Dom Dawkins is Head of Portfolio Growth at Wander, the leading direct-booking platform helping property managers reduce OTA dependency and build durable, high-margin businesses. With over a decade of experience across real estate and short-term rentals, he specializes in driving revenue growth, optimizing distribution strategy, and increasing asset value for ambitious operators. At Wander, Dom has played a key role in scaling partnerships and equipping property managers with the tools, data, and strategic frameworks needed to transition from marketplace reliance to sustainable, direct-to-consumer growth.

  • Cathleen Cataldo is the Founder of Discovered In Travels, a boutique, family-run short-term rental management and consulting company based in the Poconos. With over ten years of experience in trend forecasting and corporate retail sales within the fashion and beauty industries, Cathleen brings a data-driven, brand-forward approach to short-term rental investing. Discovered In Travels partners with investors at every stage by coaching new owners and co-hosts, consulting self-managing investors on systems and optimization, and providing full-service property management. She transforms properties into experience-driven, future-proof assets that attract premium guests and deliver strong, long-term returns.

  • Devlon started Pro Fire Safety in 2015 after a 15 year career in the automotive industry. At Pro Fire Safety the mission is to educate families about the devastating effects of home fires and other home safety issues. Devlon has been honing his skills for almost 10 years and has become a fire safety expert. He is also a member of the NFPA

  • Vincent Jacobbi is an Account Executive for Host Financial specializing in investment property loans for STRs.

    Like many businesses, Host Financial started as a solution to a growing problem. As many owners and investors are jumping into the short term vacation rental market, obtaining traditional financing for these kinds of investment properties can be difficult. This is the space where Host Financial was born. We understand the short term rental market and specialize in serving investors within this niche.

  • Cindy Carr Knecht is the Broker/Owner of Carr Realty of the Poconos, a family-run real estate company with more than 60 years of experience serving buyers and sellers throughout the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

    Today, Cindy proudly carries on that legacy as Broker/Owner, helping buyers, sellers, and renters navigate their real estate journeys with confidence and care. She is deeply grateful to work in a community she loves and is committed to service, strong relationships, and thoughtful growth.

    Cindy actively volunteers with the Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS®, the Pocono Chamber of Commerce, and Poconos VRO, collaborating on initiatives that support local businesses, responsible short-term rentals, and community-focused policies. Above all, she remains dedicated to preserving the values and reputation her family has built in the Poconos for generations.

  • Colby has been with SERVPRO Team Fabiani for 11 years, specializing in helping property owners protect and restore their investments. He works closely with short-term rental owners to prepare for and recover from water, fire, mold, and storm damage. His focus is on minimizing downtime, reducing risk, and keeping properties guest-ready when the unexpected occurs.

  • Derek Jones is the VP of Sales and Partnerships at Hospitable. Derek’s journey with Hospitable began in 2021 as a customer. After adopting Hospitable, he scaled his property management portfolio from 2 properties to more than 20, while maintaining a W-2 job. Derek is now working on ways to bring Hospitable’s powerful automation tools to more short and mid-term rental hosts.

  • As a strong believer in the people of the short-term rental community, David cofounded Rent Responsibly in 2020 to harness the entrepreneurial spirit and solution-oriented energy of short-term rental operators. Rent Responsibly is the only company focused exclusively on the needs of the 1 million owners, hosts and managers in the US. Rent Responsibly provides free education, free advocacy resources and professional management services to STR associations.

  • Brenda Figueroa is a psychologist by trade and entrepreneur by heart. She is a seasoned short-term rental host, new-host mentor, and founder of Pocono Excellence, a women-led short-term rental community. Brenda blends strategy, hospitality, and intentional leadership to help hosts build a guest centered experience.

  • Michael has 10+ years of experience in the short-term rental industry and specializes in helping investors buy and sell short-term rentals in the Poconos, PA. He's grown his own portfolio of STRs in the Poconos and uses his experience to help his clients exceed expectations. 

  • Scott’s focus areas have been developing standardized industry data and analytics, domestic and international membership growth, and improving services and professionalism. Scott’s current passion and focus is to help provide a predictable and sustainable source of income for the VRMA’s Advocacy efforts through the Right To Rent Program. Scott was recently recognized at the VRMA International conference with the Advocate of the Year award.

  • With over 16 years of experience in the risk mitigation space, Mark brings deep industry knowledge and leadership to Rental Guardian. Prior to joining the team, Mark helped take ePremium Insurance Agency—powered by Inhabit—from a fledgling start-up to a nationally recognized provider in the multi-family housing market.

  • Jack Reipke is a Senior Market Manager at Guesty with a background as an operator, owner, and tech partner. He is passionate about helping property managers scale smarter by leveraging systems and his deep hands-on experience building and operating portfolios.

  • Shehryar Khan is a serial entrepreneur, technologist, and longtime Airbnb Superhost with over a decade of hands-on hosting experience. He previously led award-winning mobile and digital teams at Übermind and Deloitte Digital, helping build some of the world’s most widely used apps. Over the past several years, his focus has shifted to applying AI and automation to real-world industry problems—especially in travel and hospitality. As founder of the Guest Manual platform, Shehryar now helps hosts use digital tools and AI to deliver smarter, more personalized guest experiences.

  • Mark Lumpkin is a short-term rental design, renovation, and performance expert with over a decade of hands-on experience in real estate investing and construction. As Sales Director at STR Cribs, Mark has helped renovate and set up more than 500 high-performing short-term rental properties across the U.S., focusing on the details that actually drive bookings, revenue, and five-star reviews. His expertise spans renovation planning, amenity ROI, guest experience design, and market-specific performance strategy. Mark is also a co-host of the STR Investing Podcast and a frequent speaker at industry events nationwide, where he teaches investors how to build durable, profitable short-term rentals that stand out in increasingly competitive markets.

  • Laura has been working in hospitality since she was legally allowed to work. From working as wedding planner in the Catskills to an Ag Tech startup in Brooklyn, gathering people around food has always been at the core. With CookinGenie she leads the charge in developing partnerships to create new diners and demystifying hiring a private chef. The value of short-term rental partnerships is the perfect storm of what it’s all about. Get away, get together, & enjoy! 

  • Andrew is the CEO & co-Founder of Stay Booked, a premier, full-service manager of large vacation rental homes in the Poconos and Ocean City, MD. Andrew is also the co-founder of NYC Hosts & Investors, a short-term rental networking and education group with over 450 members in the greater-NYC area. Most importantly, he is a husband and dad to two amazing kids.

  • Monique DeLorenzo is a Senior Solutions Consultant at PriceLabs, the revenue management platform trusted by thousands of vacation rental and hospitality professionals worldwide. After starting her career in sales and launching her own short-term rental in 2018, Monique found her sweet spot at the intersection of data, strategy, and hospitality. Since joining PriceLabs in 2022, she’s worked with property managers and hoteliers across the globe—helping them turn pricing and minimum stay strategies into powerful revenue drivers.

  • Anthony Rallo is a seasoned owner-operator and short-term rental advocate with a portfolio of seven vacation rentals across the Eastern Seaboard, including two in the Poconos, plus two long-term rentals. Since 2019, he has focused on delivering 5-star guest experiences while driving operational excellence and profitability. Anthony is President of the HOA at Gatlinburg Falls, a STR-only resort in the Smoky Mountains, and co-founder of LNVHHA and STRATT/TFA, where he helped overturn restrictive regulations in Tobyhanna Township. He serves as an Alliance Leader for Rent Responsibly and is passionate about responsible hosting, fair policy, and data-driven operations.

  • Genamarie, aka the Luxury Picnic Lady, is a proud Puerto Rican-American designer, world traveler, and experience host known for bringing people together through elevated gatherings. In 2021, she founded Picturesque Luxury Picnics—the first luxury picnic business in NEPA—turning a heartfelt vision into a sought-after brand. Today, PLP offers curated luxury picnics, refined tablescapes, and romantic room transformations, each defined by intentional style and coordination. Now an award-winning business owner, Genamarie is building a luxury ecosystem—developing multiple concepts designed to expand the brand, increase impact, and create lasting legacy through connection.

  • Mark Shay is a Realtor® specializing in investment-focused real estate throughout the Pocono Mountains. Mark leads one of the most successful real estate teams in the Poconos, helping buyers and sellers navigate vacation homes, short-term rentals, and income-producing properties with confidence. Known for his data-driven approach, Mark provides agent-grade market analysis, clear pricing strategy, and hands-on guidance. His innovations include the STR Scorecards, tools designed to evaluate short-term rental performance, risk, and upside. Mark works closely with investors, second-home buyers, and homeowners to execute successful transactions from start to finish.

  • Danielle Temos is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ideal Property Management, a Pocono Mountains–based short-term rental management company known for setting the standard for performance, professionalism, and five-star guest experiences. She is recognized for driving exceptional RevPAR through sophisticated dynamic pricing, real-time market intelligence, and operational systems designed to maximize revenue while protecting each home’s long-term value. Danielle partners closely with homeowners, real estate professionals, and local leaders to ensure responsible hosting and sustainable growth across the region. A proud supporter of the Pocono Mountains VRO, co-founded by her business partner Marty, she is passionate about elevating industry standards and helping owners achieve true excellence.

  • Julie Marks is the Founder and Executive Director of the Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance (VTSTRA), a nonpartisan grassroots advocacy organization representing Vermont’s vacation rental community. As a self-managing short-term rental host, Julie began advocating for homeowners’ right to rent in 2019 when restrictive regulations threatened her livelihood. Since founding VTSTRA in 2021, she has become a nationally recognized leader in grassroots organizing for the vacation rental industry. Julie served on the VRMA Government Affairs Committee from 2022–2024 and was the founding Board President of the Right to Rent Collaborative in 2025. She holds degrees in Environmental Science and Environmental Health.

  • Donna is a licensed Massage Therapist, Energy Healer & Certified Yoga Instructor, who has dedicated her career through practices that nurture mind, body & spirit. Her work is guided personally and professionally rooted in balance, compassion and her love of life.

    Supporting several successful locations for 31 years integrating Massage Therapy and Spa related services, Energy Healing, Sound Bowl & Crystal Healing, Salt Therapy and Yoga.

  • Eric is a partner with the mid-sized law firm Timoney Knox, LLP and serves as chair of its Litigation Group.  He has been practicing litigation, with a focus on real estate litigation, since 1998.  Eric attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and Dickinson Law School in Carlisle, PA.  He became President of the Montgomery Bar Association in 2017.  Eric's practice takes him to counties throughout the Commonwealth and all of its regions.  His real estate litigation practice includes Short-Term Rental rights, property restrictions, easements, adverse possession, quiet title and partition, and related disputes.  Eric also practices in the area of commercial litigation and business disputes.  He has been recognized by Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars® since 2005. Eric was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley just minutes from the Appalachian Trail and loves a good hike in the Mountains of Pennsylvania.     

  • Megan has had the privilege of helping hundreds of property owners, from first-time hosts to seasoned professionals, bring high-performing spaces to life. With a strong background in design support and procurement, she specializes in sourcing strategically, stretching budgets, and navigating even the most challenging timelines. Her approach is hands-on and solutions-driven, with one consistent goal: to save people time, protect their investment, and make the process feel supported from start to finish

  • Luis R. Berrios is a short-term rental owner and operator in the Poconos who applies his ongoing career as a senior operations executive to hospitality investing. He entered the STR space intentionally to lay operational foundations, test systems, and benchmark performance using the same disciplines that drive high-volume, performance-driven organizations. Luis brings a metrics-first approach to pricing, guest communication, automation, and SOP-led execution.


  • Xander Weidenbaum is a cornerstone of the regional real estate market as owner of Redstone Run Realty and partner in a suite of vertically integrated firms. He focuses on high-level STR strategy, repositioning distressed assets, and commercial investments. A Pocono Mountains native, Xander lives in Stroudsburg with his wife, Deisi, and their three young children. He finds his greatest joy in seeing others succeed – empowering his teams, family, and clients to achieve their goals.

  • Jeremiah Noll is the host of the podcast "STR Problems, Strong Solutions," where he shares practical solutions with callers because he believes collaboration beats competition and that everyone can win together. He is the founder and broker of Galvanized Management and Investment Real Estate of the Poconos, delivering integrated property management and investor focused real estate services across the region. His team of 23 manages over 150 doors across short, mid, and long term rentals. A former math teacher, Jeremiah applies data driven strategies to help clients win.

  • Joseph Vincent Scorese, Joseph is a nationwide business development executive specializing in direct private lending and asset-based financing for real estate investors and brokers. With over 20 years in the mortgage and private lending industry, he focuses on relationship-driven lending and creative deal structuring across DSCR, Fix & Flip, Ground-Up Construction, Bridge, and Multi-Family programs.

    He is the founder of Real Estate Mastermind Strategies and host of The Creative BRRRR Strategies Podcast, where he shares financing insights, lending trends, and investor success stories. His mission is to empower investors and brokers with smart, transparent, and flexible capital solutions to help them grow and scale with confidence.

  • Jenny Snow is the Poconos Area Airbnb Volunteer Community Leader, Realtor, and Superhost with nearly a decade of hands-on hosting experience. A Pocono native, she helps owners turn properties into high-performing vacation rentals while staying compliant with local regulations and community values. Through host meetups, mentorship, and one-on-one consulting, Jenny connects operators with practical tools for smarter pricing, better guest experiences, and long-term sustainability. Her approach blends real-estate expertise with real-life lessons from managing STRs in the unique—and rapidly changing—Poconos market.

  • Simon Seroussi is a hospitality innovator, serving as the co-founder of SuiteOp and Sosuite.

    At Sosuite, Simon spearheaded the creation of a community-centric hospitality model that has transformed the way modern travelers experience Philadelphia. Offering hundreds of meticulously designed apartments in the city's most dynamic neighborhoods, Sosuite crafts personalized, talk-worthy experiences whether for one-night stays or month-long bookings.

    Drawing from his experience at Sosuite, Simon co-founded SuiteOp, a cutting-edge B2B SaaS platform tailored for large-scale vacation rental operators and hoteliers. As an integrated platform, it simplifies complex operations and personalizes guest experiences at scale through its interconnected modules, such as SuiteVerify, SuitePortal, SuiteConnect, SuiteKeeper, and SuiteAnalytics.

  • Nate Silver is the co-founder of Wander Home, a luxury short-term rental and hospitality management company specializing in high-end vacation homes and boutique lodging experiences. Based in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, Nate brings a hands-on, owner-operator mindset to every project, with deep experience in property operations, renovation oversight, and guest-focused design. His work spans luxury vacation rentals, emerging boutique hotel concepts, and hospitality-driven real estate investments, with a focus on creating memorable stays and strong long-term returns.

  • Juana Toribio is the owner and operator of Villa Juana Poconos, a luxury short-term rental known for its elevated guest experience and strong revenue performance. With a background in finance and tax leadership, Juana brings a strategic, data-driven approach to short-term rental ownership, combining branding, operations, pricing strategy, and guest experience optimization. She is also a co-founder of Pocono Excellence, a mentorship community supporting short-term rental owners through education, collaboration, and advocacy, with a focus on empowering women and minority hosts in the Poconos market.

  • Julie Banting-Rogers is based in sunny Orlando, Florida, where she lives with her husband, Mikail, and their energetic pit bull mix, Banger. She has been with Avalara for two years, bringing a diverse sales background in hospitality, recruiting, and vacation ownership. Outside of work, Julie enjoys cheering on the New York Mets, New York Giants, and Orlando Solar Bears, traveling, cooking for family and friends, and making the most of every day.

  • Mary Calverley is the founder of Moonbeam Escapes, a luxury short-term rental brand known for thoughtfully designed homes and elevated guest experiences in the Pocono Mountains and beyond. With a strong background in operations and hospitality, Mary brings a systems-driven, guest-first approach to building and managing high-performing short-term rentals. She is passionate about helping hosts refine their brand, improve operations, and create memorable stays that lead to strong reviews, repeat guests, and long-term success.

  • Rohit is a seasoned technology executive with a passion for building high performing teams and experience in both engineering and finance. He brings extensive experience from his roles at Uber, J.P. Morgan, and Trucker Tools, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiencies. His expertise in scaling operations guides AirDNA into its next phase of growth, reinforcing its mission to deliver best-in-class data and insights for STR investors and hosts.

  • With over 17 years of experience in the vacation rental industry, Hannah Grizzle bringsa well-rounded, hands-on perspective spanning nearly every corner of the business.

    Her background includes vacation rental management, homeowner acquisition, revenue management, guest support, as well as leadership roles as a General manager, sales manager and trusted advisor in software consulting and PMS.

  • Marlyn Kissner is the Vice President of Membership and Community Relations for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and works closely with members ensuring benefits are leveraged for maximum marketing outreach and business growth. In addition, Kissner collaborates with community leaders and is a key connector supporting Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne Counties. Marlyn holds a Master of Science degree in Management from Rosemont College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Kutztown University. Marlyn resides in Carbon County, volunteers for several local non-profits, loves the outdoors, and enjoys traveling with her husband Bill.

  • The one who bought a bank where guests can legally launder in the Ozarks, Tyann Marcink Hammond has purpose-built large homes, rehabbed historical homes, and is owner/manager of two vacation rental brands, Branson Family Retreats and Missouri Haus, as well as a keynote speaker, thought leader, author, and Marine Mom.

    Known as the "Queen of Guest Experience" in the vacation rental industry, she consults and shares her deep knowledge about guest experience, communications, hospitality operations and advocacy across the globe at conferences, workshops and webinars.

    She also leads the Missouri Vacation Home Alliance as President and is a member of the VRMA Board of Directors.