Tucker Johnson

Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing

Tucker has been working in the hospitality industry since age 16, starting as a dishwasher at Rubio’s Baja Grill in Southern California. He continued in food and beverage, working in various positions during high school and college, including: cook, busboy, waiter, and bartender. Upon graduation from college he accepted a job as a Front of House Manager with Outback Steakhouse.

Tucker then took a position with the Log Cabin Inn located in MacKenzie Bridge, Oregon. This move allowed him more exposure to the lodging side of the hospitality business; it also introduced him to his future wife, Lindsay. While working at the Log Cabin Inn, Tucker implemented cost cutting strategies for food, beverage, and labor, resulting in a 20% increase in net income. Tucker eventually said goodbye to the Log Cabin Inn and moved to Austin, Texas so Lindsay could pursue her Master’s in Comparative Literature.

After arriving in Austin, Paul Thomas hired him as Director of Sales for the Candlewood Suites in Round Rock. Tucker enjoyed success at the Candlewood Suites, bringing in large volume accounts including Dell Computers, Sears, Jabil Circuits, and HCA Healthcare. During his time at the Candlewood Suites, he also earned his Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP).

Tucker later joined PI Management Associates, a consulting company that assists businesses in hiring decisions and sales training. He focused on the hospitality industry and in his time working there became a Certified Predictive Index Analyst and a Certified Trainer for Customer-Focused Sales. Although he enjoyed working with different companies, he missed the day-to-day excitement of hotel sales. He transitioned back into hotel sales taking a position with the Ayres Hotels of Southern California, a collection of 20 independent, boutique hotels. In 2011 Tucker joined Live Oak Lodging as the Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing.