Hilton Garden Inn Sun Prairie - Heart Of America Group

Sun Prairie

Robert Zimmerman

Robert Zimmerman

Chief Operating Executive
Start Date: 7/5/2022
Personal Highlights

While away from work, friends and family keep me in my happy place. I love being in the great outdoors running, taking trips up north to the cabin, fishing on the lake or just sitting around the campfire. Cooking is also a strong passion of mine and I enjoy the challenge of preparing new entrées on the stove, grill or campfire. I have been married to my beautiful wife for 21 amazing years and we have a 19 year old daughter in her second year of nursing school.

Melissa Buckingham

Melissa Buckingham

Assistant Chief Operating Executive
Start Date: 5/29/2021
Personal Highlights

When I am not at work, I am spending time with family and friends. I love spending time with my 2-year-old German Shepherd and taking him on long walks. I love watching movies and crime shows.

David Whedon

David Whedon

Director of Sales
Start Date: 2/12/2024
Personal Highlights

In the Winter when I am not at work, you can find me at home entertaining friends or enjoying trivia at a local sports bar. Summertime, I enjoy all the live music and events Madison has to offer. You can also find me fishing on one of the many lakes around Wisconsin, or enjoying a night of sand volleyball with my friends.

Tommy Haban

Tommy Haban

Managing Director – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Start Date: 9/16/2019
Personal Highlights

In my free time I love spending time with my fiancee Amanda going camping, canoeing, or playing disc golf. I’m an avid writer of poetry and I love playing the guitar.

Jeffrey Maasch

Jeffrey Maasch

Assistant Director –
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Start Date: 11/16/2023
Personal Highlights

I have a wife and two children that are my absolute world! When I’m not at work, I usually am playing with my kids or spending time with my wife. Occasionally I get to go hunting or fishing with my cousins. I also love snowboarding, fast cars, and watching basketball (even though I don’t get too much time for it).

Ryan Krbecek

Ryan Krbecek

Assistant Director –
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Start Date: 5/1/2024
Personal Highlights

I have two sons who are always giving me something new to laugh about. I am getting married this year in September! I love to travel, play sports and music, catch concerts when I can, and have been coaching my son’s basketball team, which is super fun for me.

Ian Dietterick

Ian Dietterick

Culinary Maestro –
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Start Date: 12/6/2022
Personal Highlights

I enjoy being outside mostly camping. I just got into kayaking. I cycle as much as I can. Otherwise I’m a bit of a homebody, relaxing, watching moves and eating good food. My fiancé comes from a large family so we love to get everyone together and cook for everyone as much as possible.

Nick Lorang

Nick Lorang

Back-Of-House Executive – Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Start Date: 4/1/2023
Personal Highlights

In my free time I like to cook for my family and friends. My 3 kids ages 3, 9, and 11 keep me very busy. From all weekend basketball tournaments to getting my makeup done at my daughter’s play salon, much of my time is spent with them. Some of my personal interests are motorcycles, cars, and vintage Oakley sunglasses.

Jenilyn Hilker

Jenilyn Hilker

Catering Sales Executive
Start Date: 3/7/2022
Personal Highlights

When I am not at work I am usually spending time with my family and friends. I am typically hiking, camping, and going to festivals/concerts in the summer and reading and binging Netflix in the winter.

Jennifer Gallagher

Executive Housekeeper
Start Date: 6/11/2018
Personal Highlights

When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our dog Mia, our cats Sabrina and Sophia, visiting family and friends. For Relaxing fun, we enjoy camping, canoeing, and little fishing at Devils Lake State Park.  In the fall and winter, we bowl on a couple’s league in Sun Prairie. I also enjoy making candles, crafting and going to craft sales to find those unique/out of the ordinary treasures.

Paul Larson

Paul Larson

Maintenance Executive
Start Date: 12/6/2023
Personal Highlights

When I’m not at work or working on vehicles, I focus on the care of my smalltown home built in 1876, which is mostly all original. I have a dog and 3 cats, all rescues that I devote a lot of time to, making sure they have the quality of life they deserve. In addition to time spent at home, my girlfriend and I enjoy outdoor activities including boating, trips to Road America and local races, car shows and festivals. I also spend time with family and care for my mother’s home.

About Heart Of America

Starting with one, 100-seat restaurant in 1978, Heart of America Group has grown to include a portfolio of award-winning owned and operated restaurants, hotels and commercial developments. Noteworthy brands developed and operated by Heart of America Group include the Machine Shed Restaurant, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, The Republic on Grand, Hotel Renovo, Wildwood Lodge, Thunder Bay Grille, and The J Bar. We pride ourselves in building long-lasting properties that bring value to the consumer and to the communities in which we build.

Locations

Operations Support Center - Moline
1501 River Drive
Moline, Illinois 61265
P: 309.797.9300
F: 309.797.8700

Operations Support Center - Des Moines
515 E Locust Street, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50309