At Viciniti Corporate Housing, we believe that great companies are built by great people. There is no better example of that belief than our founder, Bill Jackson, who was honored with the CHPA 2026 Industry Impact Award.
by · Feb 18, 2026
We celebrate our visionary founder, whose decades of dedication helped shape the corporate housing industry.
At Viciniti Corporate Housing, we believe that great companies are built by great people. There is no better example of that belief than our founder, Bill Jackson, who was honored with the CHPA 2026 Industry Impact Award.
This award, presented at CHPA Connect26, recognizes professionals with a long-term history of outstanding contributions to the corporate housing industry. We are so excited to celebrate Bill Jackson’s pioneering spirit, lifelong dedication, and profound influence on the corporate housing profession.
Bill Jackson’s story in corporate housing started long before the industry began.[KC1] In 1985, Bill founded Marketplace Furniture in Wichita, Kansas, a company that would eventually become Furniture Options. Recognizing a growing demand for furnished housing solutions, Bill expanded into corporate housing by creating Suite Options (now Viciniti Corporate Housing) in the early 1990s.
From the very start, Bill wasn’t just building a business; he was setting a standard. His entrepreneurial spirit helped him grow Suite Options Corporate Housing to ten Midwest market locations covering eight states. In 2003, Suite Options partnered with Marriott to become the largest Marriott ExecuStay franchisee, a partnership that lasted for 15 years until Oakwood purchased the ExecuStay Brand. After Oakwood discontinued the franchise program, Bill rebranded the company to what is known today as Viciniti Corporate Housing.
What truly sets Bill apart is not just his success as a business owner but his tireless commitment to elevating the entire corporate housing profession.
Understanding the importance of collaboration and professionalism, Bill joined forces with industry leaders Ken Hixon and Bob Greenwald to establish the National Interim Housing Network (NIHN). Serving on the NIHN board in the mid-to-late 1990s, including a term as board president, Bill was instrumental in fostering a spirit of unity and partnership that continues to influence the corporate housing industry today.
Bill wrote articles, presented educational sessions, served on panels, and was always available to help anyone new to the world of corporate housing. When CHPA was formed in 2002, Bill continued his strong support of the industry association. Under his influence, both Viciniti and Furniture Options have remained proud and active members of CHPA for more than two decades.
His legacy of engagement didn’t stop with him. Bill’s daughter, Piper Ayala, served on the CHPA Board of Directors from 2014 to 2017, concluding her tenure as CHPA Board President. To this day, many team members from the companies Bill founded remain deeply involved in CHPA initiatives, like our own Gabriel Wacker, recently taking the position as CHPA Board President. It’s a testament to how Bill helped create a lasting culture of service and collaboration.
The people closest to Bill speak volumes about the kind of leader and person he is.
Gabriel Wacker, VP of Sales at Viciniti Corporate Housing, reflected on the mission that guided the company from the start:
“One of Bill’s earliest mission statements for our company was, ‘To care enough to be a nationally recognized leader in our industry.’ This industry impact award reflects that mission fulfilled. But more importantly, it highlights what mattered most to Bill from the very beginning: Care. Care for employees. Care for customers. Care for doing things the right way. Bill didn’t just build a successful company; he built a culture rooted in care, and that legacy is what truly makes him deserving of this recognition.”
Brent Dorrah, President of Transitions Group, spoke to Bill’s exacting standards and heart for excellence:
“Bill’s influence on the corporate housing industry is both profound and far-reaching. As one of the early pioneers, Bill recognized that excellence lives in the details — whether it was the spotlessly clean front door, fireplace, quality furnishings, or the sparkling kitchen sink. Bill has a commitment to impeccable quality and unwavering care for our customers and our employees. It’s been an honor to lead Transitions Group with the same values and principles that Bill instilled in me and to carry on our great company culture.”
After nearly four decades of leadership, Bill retired from Transitions Group in December 2023. Yet his impact endures, through the companies he founded, the people he mentored, and the industry he helped unify and elevate. His passion for education, entrepreneurship, and collaboration has helped countless corporate housing providers, who will continue to share that knowledge in the future.
At Viciniti Corporate Housing, we are proud to carry Bill Jackson’s legacy forward every single day. His pioneering spirit, his commitment to care, and his belief in the power of people are woven into everything we do.
Congratulations, Bill, on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for building something that lasts!
Viciniti Corporate Housing is a 100% employee-owned corporate housing provider serving clients across the Midwest. To learn more about our services and our story, visit myviciniti.com.
