Management Biographies

 As President of B&T Hospitality Management, LLC. Rusty has overseen the development, construction and day to day operations of several hotel projects.  In 1983 Rusty graduated from Ricks College with an Associate Degree, he then attended University of Nevada in Las Vegas where he received his Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration in 1986. After graduating from UNLV, Rusty became the General Manager of a Best Western hotel. In 1988 he became the Vice President of CottonTree Management, Inc. and was instrumental in acquiring and managing 13 hotels. His duties included oversight of several general managers, payroll, accounts payable, inventories, budgets and property acquisitions. He earned the Certified Hotel Administrator in 1991. In 1994 he was appointed to the Idaho Travel Council by Governor Cecil D. Andrus and reappointed by Governor Batt and Kempthorne. Rusty's philosophy is "to take care of your staff and they will take care of you and your hotels." Rusty has worked with some of his staff for over 30 years.  

 Ball Ventures, LLC is the partner of B&T Hospitality Management, LLC. Cortney is the Chief Executive Officer for Ball Ventures, LLC and is responsible for organizing and overseeing all of Ball Ventures' business investments. His responsibilities include all of the day-to-day management of the company as well as the analysis and negotiation of new investments and projects.  Cortney attended Utah State University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting, cum laude and his Master of Accountancy with emphasis in tax.  After graduating from USU, Cortney worked in U.S Senator Orrin Hatch's office in Washington D.C. where he served on the taxation staff and was exposed to a variety of taxation issues from the legislative perspective.  He later joined and became a partner with Rudd & Company, PLLC, a large regional accounting firm, where he represented clients of accounting and taxation and provided business consolation including real estate development, finance and taxation advice.  

 Thel not only serves as Secretary of B&T Hospitality Management, LLC., but is the General Counsel for Ball Ventures, LLC since January 2006.  Thel is heavily involved in the negotiation, due diligence review and documentation of new investments and projects.  Before joining Ball Ventures, he was a partner in the law firms of Holden, Kidwell, Hahn & Crapo, PPLC in Idaho Falls, Idaho and Lewis and Roca, LLP in Phoenix, Arizona. He is experienced in a variety of corporate business and property transactions including business entity formation, real property, personal property, and mezzanine financing. Thel received his Bachelor of Science in Business Finance, summa cum laude from Brigham Young University in 1988 and a Juris Doctor degree from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley in 1992. He is a member of the Idaho State Bar, the Utah State Bar, and the Arizona State Bar.   

 Larry has been in the hospitality industry since graduating from Ricks College in 1989. He started his career as a night auditor at a 100 room Best Western in Rexburg, Idaho. He became the General Manager of the hotel in 1990. In 1993, Larry became an Operation Manager overseeing the management of three hotels in Southeastern Idaho. He earned his Certified Hotel administrator designation from the American Hotel & Motel Association in 1998. In 2006, he joined B& T Hospitality Management to help oversee the construction and opening of the Idaho Falls Hilton Garden Inn and has been an instrumental part of the company since by preparing budgets and controlling costs. Larry has committed over 20 years to the hospitality industry and has a wide range of experience in the day-to-day operations of the business and upper level management. Larry has worked with Rusty Townsend at various properties since 1987. 

 Tyler earned his bachelor’s degree in finance at Utah Valley University in 2013. He has worked in the hospitality industry since 2007, starting as a houseman. He then held roles as Front Desk Agent, Assistant General Manager, General Manager, and finally Regional Operations Manager. Tyler briefly worked in the financial services industry before soon realizing hospitality is where he wants to be. His responsibilities with B&T Hospitality Management, LLC include overseeing the day-to-day and management operations of our properties.  

 Tanner earned his Associate Degree at Utah State University. He then graduated cum laude from Utah Valley University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He continued on to the University of Utah where he received his Masters of Accountancy Degree with an emphasis in Financial/ Audit. Tanner is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the State of Utah. He has held a variety of positions in the hospitality industry and has experience with many different Hospitality brands. Tanner's responsibilities include assisting in the day-to-day operations, financial statement preparation, and project development. 

 Todd has been the Treasurer / Controller for B&T Hospitality Management, LLC since December 2004. He received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nuclear Technology in 1979, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting in 1995, a master of Business Administration degree in 2009, and is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the State of Idaho. He brings extensive job experience in job costing, HR management, insurance and benefit plans, project scheduling, subcontracts administration and purchasing and financial statement preparation.​ 

 After graduating from air-frame power-plant mechanic and flight school in 1989, Scott decided large building mechanical and electrical was a better fit. In 1998 he earned and became a Certified Engineer of Operations designation from the American Hotel and Motel Association. Scott joined B&T Hospitality Management in 2007 to help open the Hilton Garden Inn in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Scott has worked with Rusty Townsend at various properties since 1989. 

Raydene earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Business Finance at Idaho State University in 2004. She has brought 10 years of hotel General Manager experience as well as considerable payroll and accounting experience. Her responsibilities include a broad range of functions including Human Resources, payroll and accounts payable.

Brecca has been with B&T Hospitality Management since January 2020.  She earned an Associate’s Degree in Marketing and Management from Idaho State University in 2009.  Her experience includes 3 years of banking and 6 years of working in the hospitality industry for several different hotel brands.  She brings a well-rounded skill set and is able to manage multiple projects.  Brecca’s responsibilities include accounts payables for multiple hotels.