~ Leadership Team ~

Pete Helland, Jr., Managing Partner of Stand Rock Hospitality, has 32 years of experience in the tourism, hospitality and entertainment industry. He co-founded the Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort in Wisconsin Dells in 1994 which today is now known as the largest indoor waterpark resort in the U.S. He served as the resort’s first general manager, provided oversight for all development phases of the property, and currently serves on its Board of Directors. He is also the Managing Partner of the popular Wilderness at the Smokies property in Eastern Tennessee which opened in 2008. Prior to starting the Wilderness, Mr. Helland was appointed by Governor Tommy Thompson to work in the Department of Administration’s Finance Department. Mr. Helland graduated from Yale University in 1988 and earned an MBA in Real Estate from the University of Wisconsin School of Business in 1994. He currently is serving his second term on the State of Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Tourism after being appointed by Governor Scott Walker.

Mr. Helland, Partner of Stand Rock Hospitality, has over 30 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. In his role, Mr. Helland is involved in the overall successful operations of all Stand Rock Hospitality owned and/or managed hotel, resort and entertainment properties. By the age of 29, Mr. Helland had co-developed and operated the successful Dells enterprise, Crazy King Ludwig’s Adventure Park. Additionally, he helped develop and manage his family’s attractions, Pirates Cove Adventure Golf and Riverview Boat Line. Mr. Helland is very active in the community and has served six years on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau. Mr. Helland graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management.

Tim Lucke brings more than 15 years of experience in tourism and hospitality development and business administration to his role as a Partner of Stand Rock Hospitality. He is involved in the successful operations, acquisitions, expansion and development for the company’s portfolio of owned and/or managed hotel and waterpark resort properties and personally oversaw the on-site construction of the entire Wilderness at the Smokies project. He is a graduate from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas’ William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.

Tim Gantz, Partner of Stand Rock Hospitality, has more than 30 years of hands-on experience in the tourism industry and several family businesses. Notably, Mr. Gantz served 18 years as the owner of America’s largest outdoor public admission waterpark, Noah’s Ark, before selling the company to Palace Entertainment in 2012. In his role, Mr. Gantz oversees operations, expansion and development for Stand Rock Hospitality’s portfolio of owned and/or managed hotel and resort properties. He formerly served as Chairman and was on the Board of Directors of the World Waterpark Association and was recently inducted into the World Waterpark Association’s Hall of Fame.

Josef was born and educated in Vienna, Austria in the hotel and hospitality industry. Subsequently, has held Food and Beverage and Senior Managerial positions throughout prestigious properties, spanning from Bermuda to the U.S., including Hawaii and Japan. After an extensive career worldwide with renowned Hotel/Resort four star and five diamond properties, he worked for the Kalahari Resort organization in 2002 as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer from 2007 – 2013. His Career has guided him through three Continents and six Countries. 

During his career, he has been a key Executive in charge of opening 4 new properties, managing the process from pre-construction through the Grand Opening and responsible for all staffing, marketing, competitive positioning and beyond. Condominium and Homeowner Association’s played a major role in the Managerial responsibilities. 

As a seasoned Hotelier in Food and Beverage, Marketing and overall Management, Josef holds degrees from Wien Hotel College, Vienna, Austria in Hospitality Management, Holiday Inn University and obtained his CHA certification from American Hotel Association. 

Jon Regnerus, director of development for Stand Rock Hospitality, has more than 10 years in development and construction management experience, including over $400 million in Wilderness Resort related developments. Mr. Regnerus has a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and has worked for multiple General Contractors on projects throughout the U.S.

TJ VanWie serves as the Director of Finance for Stand Rock Hospitality and has more than 16 years of experience working in finance and accounting. In his current role, he oversees five properties in Wisconsin and two in Tennessee, including Wilderness at the Smokies. Prior experience includes controller for Great Wolf Lodge and supervisor accountant for Grant Thorton. Mr. VanWie received his Bachelors degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Platteville.

Jeremy Droeszler, Project Executive for Stand Rock Hospitality, provides strategic direction and management for hotel development and expansion projects for the companies portfolio of properties. He has more than 15 years of experience in development and construction project management, including JD McCormick; Tri-North Builders; Horizon Construction; Tricon Construction Group; and Spring Valley Construction. Droeszler holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Technology Management from UW-Platteville.

Andrea Borota has worked in administration and hotel development for Stand Rock Hospitality owned and/or managed properties for 16 years. In her role she is responsible for managing accounts payables and receivables for ten assets within the Stand Rock Hospitality property portfolio, assembling and submitting construction draws, managing daily reporting for reservations, and managing all administrative duties. She holds an associate’s degree in finance from Madison Area Technical College.