Our Corporate Team - Robert Voelker

Robert Voelker, President & CEO, Gateway Hospitality Group

Bob Voelker, CEO of Gateway Hospitality Group, was born in Wisconsin and trained from a young age in his family’s restaurant. His impressive career path includes high level positions with Hilton Hotels Corporation, Renaissance Stouffer Hotels and Resorts and Hyatt Hotels.

Voelker attended the Culinary Institute of America where he graduated with honors, second in his class of 420 students, and he remained at the Institute for one year after graduation as a fellowship instructor. He went on to earn a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston, Conrad Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, where he also graduated with honors.

After graduation, Voelker began an eight year stint with Hilton Hotels Corporation. He worked as Assistant to the Director of Food and Beverage at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago (1973-1974), Director of Food and Beverage at the Shamrock Hilton in Houston (1974-1976), Director of Food and Beverage at Atlanta Hilton (1976-1978), and Director of Food and Beverage at the renowned Fontainebleau Hilton (1978-1980), where he designed and operated four concept restaurants.

Voelker’s 17 year tenure posts within the Renaissance Stouffer Hotels and Resorts Corporation include Director of Food and Beverage (1980-1982), Vice President of Operations (1982-1984), Vice President of Technical Services (1984-1986), Vice President/General Manager of the Stouffer Renaissance Cleveland Hotel (1986-1988), Vice President of Operations (1988-1993) and Central Region Senior Vice President of Operations(1993-1996). In 1996, Voelker was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations for Renaissance Stouffer Hotels—a position that put him in charge of the financial management of 20 hotels from Cleveland to the Caribbean.

As CEO of Gateway Hospitality Group, Bob Voelker uses his expertise and experience to develop and build focused-service hotels with meeting space. This original niche market product was built in Twinsburg in 1997 and has proven to increase food and beverage profits and weekend leisure room revenue. Hilton Garden Inns managed by Gateway Hospitality Group have built a reputation for creative and outstanding food, venues and service. Gateway Hospitality Group manages and or owns 14 hotels with expanded meeting space.

Voelker has also developed Blue Canyon Kitchen*Tavern, concept restaurants adjacent to the hotels. Blue Canyon combines creative American cooking with a relaxing atmosphere. Blue Canyon Restaurants are located in Twinsburg, OH, Missoula, MT, Kalispell, MT, and Rockwall, TX.

Industry board participation includes: Past Chairman and President, Ohio Hotel & Motel Association, Ohio Director for American Hotel and Motel Association, Board of Trustees – Executive Committee Chairman, Alumni Committee of the Culinary Institute of America, Board of Directors of the Culinary Institute of America, serves on the Hilton Garden Inn Advisory Council and past Council Member for Starwood’s new Elements long-term stay hotel.

Every grand opening celebration for a Gateway Hospitality Group hotel or restaurant benefits a local charity. Voelker believes in creating strong community ties with continuing service projects. Some organizations that have benefited include the Salvation Army, Coats for Kids, Chiari Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, local schools and police departments.