Hospitality Division
Jay Franken is a seasoned leader in the hospitality industry and the newest hospitality franchise partner for Mississippi and Alabama with Gecko Hospitality. With over 30 plus years of professional experience under his belt, Jay has honed his expertise in both operations management and engineering in three of Las Vegas’ most iconic establishments - The Plaza Hotel and Casino and The Westgate Hotel and Casino and Caesars Entertainment.
Jay’s experience in the hospitality industry, however, goes beyond his professional tenure. With his exceptional interpersonal skills and innate ability to connect with guests and team members, Jay passionately believes that hospitality is all about people. Whether it’s delivering outstanding service, creating memorable guest experiences or building highly effective and profitable teams, Jay is always focused on creating a warm, welcoming environment for guests and colleagues alike.
As an inspiring mentor and well-respected leader, Jay understands that fostering the growth of his colleagues is key. He enjoys nothing more than seeing his team members develop into future leaders with the skills and knowledge to overcome any challenge.
When not working tirelessly in the hospitality industry, Jay is dedicated to spending quality time with his family, who manages their land, cattle, and dogs. He also enjoys indulging in his hobbies, such as working out, fishing, hunting, playing video games (badly), and golf (even worse).
With Jay's extensive background, his passion for hospitality, and his unwavering leadership, Gecko Hospitality is thrilled to have him on board as a successful franchise partner in Mississippi and Alabama.
