Hope has been the Director of Sales at the Payne-Corley House since 2010, makes every guest who steps into the home feel like one of the family! Coming to us from the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta (Downtown), Hope honed her talent for warm Southern hospitality at this venerable hotel where she served as Director of PR following several years as Conference Services Manager. She launched her hospitality career in catering and conference services with the Hyatt Regency in historic Savannah, Georgia. Today, Hope maintains a passion for community service built in her early career as Director of Marketing & PR for a non-profit residential drug treatment center for children. Hope currently serves on the Dunwoody Preservation Board and is Chairperson of Lemonade Days. She is also the dedicated mother to three children.

Krista has been a professional in the hospitality industry since 1995.  Krista spent nearly eight years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and advanced into senior wedding planning and corporate catering roles with at their properties in Atlanta (Downtown) and Buckhead.  She was also a part of the opening team for The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.  After being transferred to Michigan with her husband, she served as the Director of Catering for an exclusive club in Birmingham Michigan.  Krista holds a degree in Food Service Management from Berry College.  She believes passionately in marriage, has a slight obsession with Gilmore Girls and never gets tired of eating wedding cake.   Krista and her husband Michael are active members of Perimeter Church and raise their three sons in their own nearby historic Duluth home.

Bryana joined the Payne-Corley House event team in 2015 with years of experience in hospitality. She worked in the Hilton hotels as well as the food and beverage industry for over ten years. With her new found passion in event planning, she brings a fresh outlook for any bride that walks down our aisle. She has an eye for detail and the desire to help couples make the most of their special day! In addition to her role as a Wedding Specialist, Bryana is an Accessory Stylist with Premier Designs Jewelry. She is also member and certified Wedding Planner of the Association of Bridal Consultants. When she isn’t busy planning a wedding or playing in jewelry, she is spending time with her growing family. She and her husband recently welcomed home their second baby girl.

A native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Michael is a classically trained chef and has been working in the luxury hospitality and restaurant industry since 1994.   Upon graduation from Toronto’s elite George Brown Culinary School, Michael undertook a rigorous, European-style apprenticeship with Canada’s four-star Delta Hotels.   After joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company’s culinary staff, Michael advanced and was selected as Executive Sous Chef for the opening of The Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans in 2000 and then promoted to Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton Dearborn in 2003. Since permanently relocating to the South with his wife Krista, Michael considers himself a true Southerner and proudly drives an old red truck.  Michael loves the community and regularly contributes his culinary talents to many neighborhood and non-profit organizations.

A former special education teacher, Jennifer discovered her passion and talent for event planning while planning her own wedding and hasn’t looked back! She loves being involved in creating special moments for her clients.   She began her career as a Wedding Coordinator with Athens-based Consultants Unlimited and Event Coordinator for the Fabulous Fox Theater.   In addition to her role as a Wedding Specialist, she LOVES holding babies two days a week at Christian Beginnings, her church’s preschool.   Jennifer received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and is mother to three children. She has been a part of the Payne-Corley House family since 2005.

Joining the Payne-Corley House & The Cottage on Main in 2013, George brings with him a rich background in food, travel and entertainment. George began his career as a young man in his family’s hotel trade. Responsibilities ranging from taking reservations to managing nightclubs led him to a five year role owning and operating a successful coffee establishment in Durban, South Africa. Future opportunity would take George to Greece where he would spend thirteen years as a top rated Tour Director for SIVA travel. Traveling the whole of the Mediterranean and assisting thousands of travelers has led to his passion for creating a unique and magical experience for those around him. George loves being a part of the Duluth community and its rich history.