to view the 2016 speakers` bios and photos.

SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Louis Alicea
Wyndham Hotel Group
Louis began his hospitality career in operations management, starting in the luxury resort market in San
Juan, Puerto Rico, and New York City, and holding progressively responsible positions with Trusthouse
Forte, Holiday Inn, and luxury independent properties. He has specialized in the management of small
luxury boutique properties offering adventure activities in destinations such as Guatemala, Honduras, and
the Out Islands of the Bahamas. He successfully handled challenges those remote locations presented,
in maintaining standards of both product quality and guest experience, which were required as hotel
members of the ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’ and ‘Conde Naste’ collections.
He held regional operations positions and hotel general manager positions with Trusthouse Forte in the
late 1980’s. Later, he oversaw the regional operations for the Caribbean and Mexico with Quintess Club,
Leading Residences of the World. Since 2008, he has handled franchise and management development
as Director of Development, with Wyndham Hotel Group covering different areas of the Caribbean, Mexico
and Latin America for the 16 brands offered by the company.
McHale S. C. Andrew
CAIPA
Mchale Andrew is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Invest Saint Lucia and current President of the
Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA). He is a former Executive Vice
President of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) and is also a former Research and
Development Advisor at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO); past Permanent Secretary in Saint
Lucia’s Ministry of Tourism; and Director of External Relations at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
(ECCB), where he served for some ten (10) years, prior to a five (5) year stint as an economist at the
Ministry of Finance in Saint Lucia.
Andrew holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics & Law from the University of the West Indies and a
Master's Degree in Economics, Law & Policy-Making from the London School of Economics & Political
Science (LSE). Over the past 28 years, he has gained valuable experience in the public and private sectors
of Saint Lucia and various other Caribbean countries. He is an avid adherent of the “triple bottom line”
approach to development that gives equal consideration to the economic, environmental and social
aspects.
Andrew is also a popular public speaker, keen golfer, jazz music fan and published amateur poet.
Letvia M. Arza-Goderich
Preston Arza LLP
Letvia concentrates her practice in hospitality, vacation ownership and real estate projects, with a focus
on international transactions. Her experience includes legal structuring and documentation of vacation
clubs, fractional and other vacation ownership projects; negotiation and preparation of hotel management
and related agreements; zoning and planning; commercial leasing; acquisitions and sales; international
transactions; and commercial litigation.
Originally from Cuba, she is multilingual and experienced in common law and civil law, handling matters
in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. She has practiced in California, the District of Columbia and
Puerto Rico, and her firm maintains offices in West Hollywood, California and San Juan.
She serves as a Chairman’s League Member of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA)
and is a member of the Asociación Mexicana de Desarrolladores Turísticos (Mexican Tourism
Development Association) and the Canadian Resort Development Association. She is in the Planning
Committees of the Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit and the Hotel Opportunities Latin
America Investment Summit. She is a past chairman, U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, California
Regional Chapter, and since 2005 is a member of the Chamber’s bi-national board.
Letvia is an active member of the State Bar of California, District of Columbia Bar Association, Puerto
Rico Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association and the U.S.-Mexico Bar Association.
Letvia graduated from the University of Louisville (B.A. 1972), Georgetown University School of Foreign
Service (M.A. 1976), and Georgetown University Law Center (J.D. 1980).
Page 1 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Rogerio Basso
Terranum Hotels
With over 18 years of real estate and hospitality experience, Rogerio is responsible for growing
Terranum’s portfolio of hotels across Latin America, and oversees all activities related to investment,
acquisition and development. Terranum Hotels is an owner, developer and operator of all-inclusive, selectservice, full-service and luxury properties across nine countries, operating under seven different brands
including Royal Decameron, Decameron, Radisson, Courtyard, Residence Inn, Aloft, and W. The company
is sponsored by Colombia-based Santo Domingo Group, Estrategias Corporativas, a premier investment
bank focused on M&A transactions, and Equity International, the Sam Zell-founded private equity firm
focused on emerging markets
Prior to joining Terranum Hotels, Rogerio worked for over 11 years with Ernst & Young LLP in Miami,
where he was responsible for leading the firm’s real estate and hospitality initiatives across Latin America.
More specifically, he was actively involved in advising developers, private equity funds, lenders and
governments in all aspects of the hospitality and leisure industries. In this capacity, Rogerio led numerous
complex consulting assignments and multi-billion dollar transactions, and is well versed on a variety of
asset classes including hotels, mixed-use developments, vacation ownership, golf courses, and marinas.
His operational skills are drawn from having worked for InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Four Seasons, and
Crowne Plaza Hotels.
Mr. Basso is often quoted in industry publications on hospitality trends and topics, and is a guest
speaker at industry related conferences in the United States and Latin America. He also served as a
professor of feasibility analysis for the graduate hotel management program at Florida International
University. Rogerio holds a Business Degree from the College of William and Mary and a Masters Degree
from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.
Gregory T. Bohan
Florida Atlantic University
Gregory T. Bohan, ISHC, BS Cornell University, MS Florida International University is an instructor and
Coordinator of Special Programs at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, instructing in the
rapidly growing Hospitality and Tourism Management Program. Prior to joining the faculty at FAU, Mr.
Bohan was on the faculty at the Chaplin School of Hospitality at Florida International University, where he
designed and taught graduate and undergraduate level classes in financial feasibility analysis and revenue
management for the hospitality industry. In addition to his teaching, Mr. Bohan maintains a strong presence
in the world of hospitality consulting, building on more than 35 years of hospitality consulting – primarily in
the areas of financial structuring and market feasibility. Before embarking on his current, full-time teaching
career, Mr. Bohan was Managing Director of Pinnacle Advisory Group’s Florida/Caribbean practice. Earlier
in his career he was a co-Principal in charge of the consulting practice at PKF’s New York office as well as
developer/owner/operator of full-service country inn in Vermont. He is on the Executive Committee of the
Board for the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association’s South Florida chapter and active in other industry
affairs. He can be reached at Florida Atlantic University via email: [email protected].
Camilo Bolaños
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Camilo Bolaños is Vice President of Development & Real Estate for Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Latin
America and the Caribbean. Mr. Bolanos is currently in charge of development and strategic business
planning in Latin America for Hyatt with a specific emphasis in Mexico, Central and South America. He is
focused in not only refining, but also spearheading the development strategies for these markets and
structuring deals that bring together local needs and opportunities while successfully satisfying Hyatt’s midto long-term business model. In his role, Mr. Bolaños is also responsible in utilizing and leveraging Hyatt’s
strong balance sheet through key asset acquisitions and the establishment of joint venture partnerships.
Some of his core responsibilities for the region include the thoughtful management of Hyatt’s capital
deployment by balancing both strategic and economic value objectives on a both a deal by deal and
aggregate basis.
Mr. Bolaños is an 18-year industry veteran having held senior level positions at leading companies
such as Real Hotels and Resorts, Avianca Airlines and Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. He holds a
bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a double major in Management and International
Business from Florida International University.
Page 2 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Paul Breslin
Horwath HTL
Paul Breslin, Managing Director of the Atlanta office of Horwath HTL, is a 35 year veteran of the hospitality
industry. His background within the industry is all encompassing, with extensive experience in hotel
operations, development and asset management with major branded hotels as well as independent and
smaller luxury hotels.
Mr. Breslin is a member of the prestigious International Society of Hospitality Consultants and the Hotel
Asset Managers Association. He is a Certified Hotel Administrator by the Educational Institute of AHLA.
He is a founding member and immediate past president of the Atlanta Hospitality Alliance, and currently
serves on its Board. Paul also serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee of GHLA.
Mr. Breslin is a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) and is the Executive---in---Residence in Lodging
for the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality at Georgia State
University. Through Sabanci University in Turkey, he has trained senior level executives at the Rixos Hotel
Leadership Training Program.
In addition, Mr. Breslin provides hotel expert witness services to attorneys specializing in hospitality
law. His caseload as an expert witness includes work with both plaintiffs and defendants.
James E. Burba
BHN
Jim Burba is the co-founder and president of Burba Hotel Network LLC (BHN), the worldwide leader in
developing and producing conferences for the hotel and tourism investment community. BHN hosts ten
events each year around the world including: ALIS, ALIS Law, ALIS Summer Update, AOCAP, HICAP,
HICAP UPDATE, HIFI, CHRIS, HOLA, and Hot.E. In 2008, BHN and Google teamed up to host Digital
Discovery Day (D3) and in 2011, Burba was retained by the ITC, a joint agency of the UN and WTO to
help organize WEDF which focused on tourism development in the least developed countries of the world.
Actively involved in the hotel investment arena for 30 years, Burba was formerly: a principal at Pannell
Kerr Forster, Senior Managing Director with Insignia/Hotel Partners, VP/Worldwide Director of Advisory
Services at WATG, and President at Horwath HTL (US). A member of the International Society of
Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and the Industry Real Estate Finance Advisory Council (IREFAC), Burba
has received numerous honors including the Educational Institute Lamp of Knowledge Award, IREFAC’s
first Crystal Ball Award, and the ISHC Pioneer Award.
In 2007, California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, re-appointed Burba to his second term on the
California Travel & Tourism Commission and he recently served on its Executive Committee.
Rajesh Chandnani
WATG | Wimberly Interiors
Raj Chandnani is Vice President, Strategy for WATG and Wimberly Interiors. He is responsible for
guiding the company’s global outreach activities, implementing strategic initiatives, and positioning the firm
as a leader in innovation. He has a wide range of industry expertise focusing on consumer trends, travel
and tourism, branding strategies and hospitality real estate.
Mr. Chandnani also collaborates with the firm’s clients, and provides strategic consulting for proposed
developments, including visioning and conceptualization, competitive positioning, branding and operator
selection.
Chandnani has specialized in commercial real estate since 1994. Prior to joining WATG in 2001,
Chandnani was as associate director with CBRE Hotels, where he spent six years in a variety of capacities
including asset management, investment sales, financings and portfolio due diligence. He was previously
with PKF Consulting in Los Angeles, and has also taught classes on strategic planning, financial
management, real estate finance, hotel development, tourism and design at UCLA, USC, Cornell University
and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne.
Mr. Chandnani is vice chair of the Urban Land Institute’s Hotel Development Council and has spoken
at several industry conferences around the globe. He is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel
Administration.
Page 3 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Peter Chong
Building & Land Technology
Mr. Chong has been with Building and Land Technology since March 2016 responsible for acquisition
and asset management of opportunistic commercial real estate. Prior to Building and Land Technology,
he served as an Executive Director at Five Mile Capital Partners, a private equity fund manager focused
on distressed debt and opportunistic commercial real estate investing. Prior to Five Mile, he served as a
Vice President in the Structured Products Group at Morgan Stanley in Tokyo where he was responsible
for originating and trading high-yield commercial real estate debt. Previously, Mr. Chong served as an
Associate Director in the Global Commercial Real Estate Group at Barclays Capital, where he was
responsible for securitization, and as an Assistant Vice President at Citigroup Property Investors,
responsible for the origination of commercial mortgages, B0notes and mezzanine loans as well as the
acquisition of investment grade and below investment grade CMBS. Mr. Chong also worked at Fitch
Ratings in Structured Finance group. Mr. Chong holds a BS in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.
Andrew Cohan
Horwalth HTL
Andrew Cohan, MAI, Managing Director of Horwath HTL’s Miami office, is a seasoned hospitality
professional with extensive real estate, marketing and account management skills in North America and
Latin America. He is a subject matter expert in health and wellness resort properties and has performed
more than two dozen feasibility studies for planned resorts in the Caribbean Basin. He has consulted for
leading branded management companies such as Canyon Ranch, Six Senses, Montage, Solage and
Bulgari. Andrew especially enjoys working on green field projects, teaming with land planners to determine
the optimal resort configuration in order to fit market demand with destination and site attributes.
As a resident of Miami Beach, Andrew also tracks developments in the local hotel and branded
residence market, and has appraised iconic beachfront hotels valued at more than US $1 billion. Fluent
in Spanish, he has developed relationships with some of Miami’s newer hotel investors from Argentina,
Venezuela, and Colombia. During his nine-year tenure at the HVS Miami office, Cohan wrote numerous
articles for the HVS Global Hospitality Report on topics ranging from Miami’s growth into a “gateway”
market to Costa Rica’s approach to sustainable tourism development.
Javier Coll
Apple Leisure Group
Javier Coll leverages more than 25 years of international hotel operations and finance experience to
direct Apple Leisure Group’s (ALG) business development strategy and global expansion. ALG is the only
vertically integrated hospitality company in the United States and parent company of the nation’s largest
tour operators to Mexico and the Caribbean.
In 2013, Javier oversaw the addition of Travel Impressions® and CheapCaribbean.com to ALG’s family
of companies. This landmark acquisition doubled the Group’s distribution network and secured ALG’s
standing as the world’s #1 provider of North American leisure travelers to Mexico and the Caribbean.
Under Javier’s guidance, ALG broke industry records in 2015 by incorporating 17 hotels in the
Caribbean and Central America in less than 12 months. This year, ALG, through AMResorts, will operate
more than 50 upscale resorts in 23 premium beach destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica
and Panama.
Prior to his 2012 appointment to ALG, Javier occupied various leadership roles at AMResorts. As Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Javier defined the signature attributes of AMResorts’ six
brands: Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets, Breathless, Dreams, Now and Sunscape Resorts &
Spas.
Javier began his career as an economist and received his MBA from The University of Barcelona,
Spain.
Page 4 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Frank Comito
Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association
Frank has over 30 years of experience in economic development, organization management,
government affairs, project management, workforce development, research, and in providing business and
investor support in The Bahamas, the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean.
He presently holds the position of CEO and Director General for the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism
Association (CHTA).
Previously, Frank served as Executive Vice President for the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association,
a position he held for more than 10 years.
He has held executive positions with the Nassau Tourism & Development Board, the National Alliance
of Business in Washington DC. And earlier with the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John Chambers of
Commerce.
Regionally, he was President of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives a long-serving
member of the Board of Directors for CHTA.
Frank was Deputy Chairman of the Nassau Airport Development Company where he helped to guide a
$410 million investment in upgrading the airport. He served on the Board for the International Downtown
Association and is a Lifetime Director for the Downtown Nassau Partnership.
He has two children, is married to a Bahamian, Donna. Frank is an island collector with an avid love
for the Caribbean, its beauty, people, diversity, history and culture. He has travelled to 23 Caribbean
islands, most on multiple occasions, plus 15 islands in The Bahamas.
Rich Cortese
Aimbridge Hospitality
Rich Cortese joined Aimbridge in 2009 and has 32 years of hospitality experience. Cortese is
responsible for identifying prime resort and luxury investment opportunities and oversight of resort hotel
operations. Most of his more than 30 years of experience in the hotel industry has been centered on the
Caribbean Region.
Prior to Aimbridge he was most recently Executive Vice President of Caribbean Property Group (CPG),
where he had both management and asset management responsibilities of their 750 million dollar hotel
portfolio. This portfolio included the Ritz Carlton San Juan, Marriott Aruba, Radisson San Juan, a Marriott
Courtyard portfolio, and an independent Hotel in San Juan, The Normandie. Before his tenure with CPG,
Cortese was responsible for overseeing the El San Juan, El Conquistador and Conrad Plaza, the most
successful resorts in Puerto Rico as well as a number of other Wyndham properties throughout the
Caribbean. Prior to Wyndham Resorts, Cortese was Senior Vice President - Operations of Atlantis
Paradise Island and Corporate Food and Beverage Director of Hyatt Hotel Corporation.
Mr. Cortese holds a BBA from St. John’s University. In 2004, as Regional Vice President of Wyndham,
Cortese was chosen as Hotelier of the Year by the Puerto Rico Hotel Association where he serves as a
board member and Chairman of its Gaming Committee. Cortese was also appointed by the Governor of
Puerto Rico to serve as a board member of the Puerto Rico Convention and Business Bureau.
Juan Corvinos
Hilton Worldwide, Inc.
Responsible for corporate development for all brands in Central America, Andean & Hispanic Caribbean
regions and for supporting the Latin America development team. Juan's main role is to drive the growth of
Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of brands in the region. Juan started with the company in 2010 in Malaysia.
His Hilton adventure has taken him to: Barcelona, London and lastly Washington DC based in the
company’s Global Headquarters. Juan is a graduate from Escuela de Hosteleria de Sevilla where he also
specialized in international law and business, he holds Master Certificate from Cornell University in Hotel
Management. A keen self-taught chef and also a voracious reader, Juan particularly enjoys travelling
within the Americas and Asia. Most of his leisure time is devoted to voluntary teaching and fundraising
activities as well as spending time with his family.
Page 5 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Richard F. Davis
Greenberg Traurig
Richard F. Davis has more than 30 years of experience in the global recreational and resort real estate
industry and is Co-Chair of the Hospitality Group of international law firm Greenberg Traurig. Rick has
counseled owners, developers, investors, operators, lenders, and advisors in connection with major global
hospitality industry projects. He is a Trustee of the American Resort Development Association, a member
of the Urban Land Institute and its Recreational Product Council, the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce,
the Association of Mexican Tourism Developers, and the Caribbean Hotel Association. He has been a
member of industry task forces in Florida, California and other U.S. jurisdictions as well as with respect to
Mexico, the Caribbean and other foreign locations. Rick holds political science and law degrees from the
University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and is admitted to practice law in California, Washington
D.C. and before all U.S. district federal courts, the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Liam J. Day
BCQS International
Liam is the Managing Director of BCQS International (www.bcqs.com), based in the Grand Cayman
office. BCQS International is the largest property and development consultancy in the Caribbean and Latin
America with thirteen offices across the region and over eighty staff.
Liam has thirty years of experience providing quantity surveying, project management, project
monitoring and appraisal services to both public and private sector clients. He has lived and worked in the
Caribbean since 1990 and has personally worked on projects in Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados,
Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico,
Providenciales, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Tobago and Tortola.
Liam has a BSc in quantity surveying from Leeds Metropolitan University and is a Fellow of the Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Additionally, Liam is a RICS Registered Valuer, a RICS APC Assessor
and sits on the RICS Americas Eminent Panel and Education and Standards Board.
Shamsah F. Dhala
IFC/World Bank
Shamsah Dhala works at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the
World Bank Group, where she is a Senior Investment Officer at the Manufacturing, Agribusiness and
Services group. She is responsible for origination and execution of transactions in the manufacturing,
hospitality, retail and property sectors including Latin America. She has worked at the IFC across regions
including the Latin America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. Prior to IFC, she worked at the Export Import
Bank of India. She lives in Washington DC, US.
Shamsah obtained a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Madras, (India) and is
Chartered Accountant under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Shamsah also has an MBA in
Finance and Strategy from Yale University.
Erik Eveleigh
Hilton Worldwide
Erik Eveleigh serves as the Senior Manager of Luxury and Corporate Development in North America
for Hilton Worldwide. In this capacity, he is integral to the expansion efforts for Hilton Worldwide’s luxury
brand portfolio in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. He works to source new luxury
opportunities, acting as the forward lead for discussions regarding hotel programming and design, the
assignment and completion of market & feasibility studies, the submission of Luxury RFP responses, and
the negotiation of Management and Franchise Business Terms.
Prior to joining Hilton’s Development team he was a member of the Feasibility & Investment Analysis
team for Hilton Worldwide where he provided internal consulting, financial projections, market analysis,
and acquisition & disposition valuations. Combined Erik Eveleigh has been with Hilton Worldwide for 7
years during two stints.
In between, he earned two Master’s Degrees at the University of Southern California between 2009 and
2011, completing both the Master of Real Estate Development program as well as the Master of Urban
Planning program. Prior to Hilton, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the
California Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Page 6 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
John S. Fareed
JFHC, LLC
John Fareed, Principal of John Fareed Hospitality Consulting LLC is an internationally recognized
authority in the field of hospitality marketing, and has spoken on the topic at industry events in Brazil,
Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, United Kingdom, and across the US, Canada and
Caribbean. Fareed has appeared as an expert on national television programs including ABC News, CNN
and Fox News Network, in publications such as the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street
Journal, and has had articles published in numerous tr ade journals. Fareed holds two postgraduates
including a Master of Science degree in Hospitality Management from the Dublin Institute of Technology's
School of Hospitality Management and Tourism in Dublin, Ireland—where his is currently pursuing a PhD—
as well as professional designations from the prestigious International Society of Hospitality Consultants
[ISHC] and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International [HSMAI]. HSMAI recognized
Fareed as one of the “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing”, and he currently serves on the
Board of Directors for ISHC and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for HSMAI’s International
Foundation.
Neil Freeman
Aries Capital, LLC
Neil Freeman is Chairman and CEO of Aries Capital, LLC, a full-service real estate lender and mortgage
banking firm offering long-term, interim and mezzanine loans; equity arrangement; and tax credit
placement. During his 40-year career, Neil has funded over $5 billion for hotel, multifamily and commercial
properties in the United States and Caribbean including Anguilla’s Malliouhana Hotel & Spa (an Auberge
Resort) and Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa, The Roosevelt New Orleans (Waldorf Astoria) and the
award-winning Hotel 21C in Louisville, KY. Freeman’s entities have developed and hold equity interests
in real estate worth over $250 million including the new Tranquility Beach Resort Dominica, Curio
Collection by Hilton (Dominica’s first branded resort), the Tranquility Beach villa development on Anguilla’s
Meads Bay and the 1,000-acre Three Oaks mixed-use development in Ft. Myers, Florida.
Freeman is President of Urban Development Fund, LLC (UDF), a New Markets Tax Credits CDE which
has received $700 million in federal and state New Markets Tax Credits allocations, translating to $1 billion
in transactions. UDF focuses on the rehabilitation of hotels, mixed-use properties, retail developments,
theaters and medical facilities in highly-distressed census tracts nationwide.
Formerly a licensed CPA, Freeman has a BSBA degree in Accounting from the University of Florida,
and an MBA degree from Stanford University. Freeman is an adjunct Real Estate professor at DePaul
University in Chicago. He also serves on the Board of the DePaul’s Real Estate Center and the Bergstrom
Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Florida.
Pedro Freyre
Akerman LLP
Pedro Freyre is chair of Akerman's International Practice. He is a nationally recognized authority on the
U.S. Embargo on Cuba. He regularly advises U.S.-based companies on the types of business transactions
that are legal in Cuba under the U.S. embargo, helps U.S. entities that are engaged in authorized activities
in connection with entering the Cuban market, and advises foreign entities that are involved in Cuba
business on implications with U.S. law.
He frequently serves as an expert commentator on the embargo and U.S. Cuba policy for print, radio,
and television media, and has recently been quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the
New York Times, and The Economist. He is also a Lecturer of Law at Columbia University School of Law,
where he co-teaches a seminar titled “Cuba: Law Policy and Transition.”
Page 7 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Fernando Garcia-Chacon
Jones Lang LaSalle
Mr. Garcia-Chacon heads up JLL’s Hotel & Hospitality Group’s Advisory Practice in Miami with a
geographic focus throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America as well as the Southeast US. He
brings over 25 years of real estate and hospitality experience in addition to a strategic perspective to
consulting, asset management and transactional analysis engagements. Mr. Garcia-Chacon is most
familiar with the hotel and resort industry in both the US and Latin America having been involved in many
of that region’s growing resort areas as well as urban developments. He has completed numerous
feasibility studies, pricing analysis, market demand surveys and valuations on a variety of hotel, mixeduse and resort developments as well as land holdings. He has also led various international due diligence
engagements on behalf of both US-based and foreign investors, seeking to acquire hotels and real estate
in the US and Latin America. Prior to joining JLL, Mr. Garcia-Chacon was Development Director for Yum!
Restaurants International for Latin America. Mr. Garcia-Chacon also worked for CitiGroup in their in-house
R/E group managing that organization’s holdings. Mr. Garcia-Chacon was also a senior manager at
KPMG’s Real Estate & Hospitality Group where he led the development of the Latin America practice. Mr.
Garcia-Chacon, a true Miami native received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and obtained
an M.B.A. from New York University.
Jenna Hackett
Hilton Worldwide
Jenna Hackett is the Director of Full Service Business Development for Hilton Worldwide, primarily
focusing on Curio – A Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton. In her current role she is responsible
for brand planning and management, working with Hilton’s Development Team, owners, and brand
management.
Ms. Hackett has been with Hilton Worldwide in a series of escalating roles including: developing the
Executive Compensation function of Hilton leading up to an IPO in 2013, helping launch and establish the
Curio Collection and, most recently, brand planning for DoubleTree by Hilton. Prior to her time at Hilton,
Ms. Hackett spent three years with the HR Policy Association, where she responsible for tracking SEC and
legislative events and lobbying on behalf of the Association. Ms. Hackett holds a BA in Political Science
and a MBA from Kogod School of Business at American University.
Liora Haymann
OBMI
As the Managing Director and joint head of the Destination Creation Studio, Ms. Haymann brings a
wealth of international expertise in urban planning and design.
With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Haymann oversees the professional team, project direction and
client relations for OBMI’s Miami office. Her approach is to be fully engaged in OBMI’s projects across the
world, being part designer, part manager and part visionary. She is focused on providing comprehensive
solutions, combining original and appropriate design with a solid understanding of the strategic and
technical issues related to real estate development – a fact that is reinforced by the many invitations she
receives for speaking engagements.
Past and current projects that have benefitted from Liora’s leadership and direction include: beach
resorts, marina villages, historic estates, garden cities, wine estates, and mix-use waterfronts and town
centers, all throughout the Caribbean, Latin America and U.A.E markets.
Page 8 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Courtney Heimlich
Google
Courtney primarily devotes her attention to digital advertising and consulting as a Senior Account
Manager for Google's hotel and cruise clients. Courtney has also spent time working with small businesses
in an effort to bring them online and prioritize the power and value of mobile. Recently, she spent 6 months
in Lilongwe, Malawi doing humanitarian work – a place and time she loved. Before joining Google, Courtney
worked in marketing in the food and beverage industry, running grassroots campaigns. She holds a
Bachelor's degree in International Business from The University of Georgia.
Stephen R. Hennis
STR
Stephen Hennis, CHA, ISHC, CHIA, oversees STR’s consulting arm based in Broomfield, Colorado.
Steve has over 20 years of experience in the analysis of lodging real estate investments.
Previously, Steve was Managing Director of Hospitium, a lodging advisory firm specializing in
acquisitions and developments. Prior to becoming Managing Director of Hospitium, Steve was Vice
President of Hospitality Investments for Lowe Enterprises and Destination Hotels & Resorts where he
worked on acquisitions, dispositions, and development projects. Steve managed transactions through the
underwriting, negotiation, due diligence, and transition process. Steve previously served as Vice President
and Director of Research for HVS International and also held positions at Marriott International, Caesars
World, and the award-winning Castle Marne bed and breakfast. Over his career, he has appraised and
evaluated over 500 lodging facilities, and has been involved in the underwriting, negotiation, acquisition,
and disposition of over $600 million in luxury hotels and resorts.
Steve is a graduate of the University of Denver’s Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management. He
is a frequent presenter and panelist at major industry conference. Steve is also a member of the Urban
Land Institute, the International Society of Hospitality Consultants, and an MAI candidate at the Appraisal
Institute.
Cherie L. Jeffries
RCI
Cherie Jeffries is the Caribbean Account Executive with RCI and has more than 26 years vacation
hospitality experience ownership experience. She began her career with RCI in Indianapolis, IN in
customer service and later moved into Business Development. She was instrumental in launching
Abercrombie and Kent Registry Collection, now known as The Registry Collection the largest collection of
luxury properties in the world. After moving to Orlando, FL., she took a job with Wyndham Vacation
Ownership where she worked in conjunction with the nationwide sales division as a project manager. Since
2008 she has been back at RCI servicing a large clientele base and engaging hotels/whole ownership and
the benefits of adding shared ownership or vacation club to their portfolio. Cherie is a master networker
who builds strong relationships that will foster the growth and development of vacation ownership in
addition to providing rental channels Caribbean resorts.
She earned a B.A. in Communication from Purdue University and earned the Wyndham Vacation
Destination Presidents Award for 2015.
Page 9 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Craig Johnson
Hill International Inc.
Craig W. Johnson is a Senior Vice President of Hill International, Inc., a 40 year international company
specializing in Project and Construction Management and the largest Construction Claims and Dispute
Resolution Company in the world. Mr. Johnson has over 30 years of national and international
development experience in risk assessment, construction claims, risk mitigation, project oversight and
development. Mr. Johnson has proven capabilities in all phases of real estate development, including
project management, project financing, project controls, program management, procurement of FF&E, preconstruction, asset acquisition and dispositions. Mr. Johnson has an MBA in Finance from the Wharton
School, University of Pennsylvania, Real Estate Broker in four states, and a member of ULI, NAIOP, and
HFMA.
Sandra Kellman
DLA Piper LLP (US)
Sandra Kellman is global co-chair of DLA Piper's Hospitality and Leisure practice. She concentrates
her practice on commercial real estate development and finance, focusing on acquisition, disposition,
development, management and financing of hotels and mixed use projects, representing owners and
brands in single property and complex portfolio transactions. She works on projects throughout the United
States and abroad, including the Middle East.
Ms. Kellman has been recognized by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, which
praises her as "a fabulous lawyer" who is "practical, pragmatic and effective." One commentator notes,
"Sandy is extraordinarily experienced and she will get the deal done. If I need someone with creative
solutions on complex matters she is terrific."
Ms. Kellman is also recommended by Legal 500. She has been selected as one of Real Estate Forum's
Women of Influence, and has been named a Top 50 Women Real Estate-Related Lawyer in Illinois by the
Leading Lawyer Network.
Ms. Kellman writes and speaks frequently on real estate development topics. She co-chairs DLA Piper's
Global Real Estate Summit. Ms. Kellman is on the planning committee and regularly speaks at the ALIS
Hotel Investment Conference. She is a guest lecturer at the McCombs School of Business.
Robert W. Kline
Cushman Wakefield Capital
Bob Kline is the Senior Managing Director of the Cushman Wakefield’s Capital Markets Equity Debt
and Structured Finance Western Region. He also leads the national CMBS and balance sheet
restructuring teams. He is an intuitive, experienced executive with over 34 years of successful leadership
in capital markets and the commercial real estate industry. Mr. Kline’s team specializes in Capital Markets
- Debt and Equity placement, CMBS and Commercial loan modifications, note sales, restructuring and
mergers & acquisitions.
Over the past 72 months, Mr. Kline has placed over $6.7 Billion of equity and debt. He has facilitated
more than 600 note sales, and over $9 Billion in restructurings. His niche is working with clients, lenders
and servicers to acquire, recapitalize and restructure both CMBS and conventional balance sheet loans.
Expertise in the following sectors- hospitality, industrial, land, mixed-use, multi-family, office and retail
properties. Mr. Kline currently works with over 275 lenders and servicers.
Page 10 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
David Allen Kosoy
Sterling Financial Group
In a career spanning five decades and as many countries, David Kosoy has carved a unique place in
the annals of real estate development, recovery and investment. While companies in which he has been a
principal have handled transactions worth billions, Kosoy is best known for creating value for investors who
trust his acumen, one of them who earned solid returns in six separate deals telling the Toronto Globe and
Mail Kosoy was "one of the most brilliant entrepreneurs I know" and another saying Kosoy had the Midas
touch. In Toronto, London, South Florida, Arizona, Texas, Cayman, Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas,
interest in diverse projects from shopping centers to hotels, luxury condos in desirable markets to soaring
office buildings, Kosoy-led investments have continually netted above average annual returns. The
outspoken businessman (and quiet philanthropist) is Chairman of Sterling Global Financial, parent
company of Cayman’s oldest trust company, Sterling Trust; Sterling Bank & Trust (Bahamas) Ltd., and
four unique funds, including the New Providence Income Fund, named the 2015 best since inception fixed
mortgage real estate fund worldwide by AI/Barclays Hedge Fund and #1 in the Sharpe Index for security
and safety.
Gary B. Lake
Gencom Group
Gary Lake is the EVP of Asset Management of The Gencom Group and oversees the operations and
capital investments of existing hotel and condominium properties/developments, primarily related to RitzCarlton branded products. As it relates to development projects, Mr. Lake has been involved in all aspects
of mixed use developments including feasibility study for the project, loan negotiations, deal negotiation
and documentations, condominium association structuring, construction monitoring and deal execution.
Lake currently serves on four condominium association boards.
Lake has held a variety of positions in financial, accounting, development, information systems, auditing
and operational functions throughout the years. Prior to joining Gencom, he consulted with Grand Bay
Hotels & Resorts in their development and acquisition group and prior to that he was senior vice
president/operations of Miami-based Carnival Hotels & Resorts.
Prior to joining Carnival Hotels & Resorts, Lake served Carnival’s Crystal Palace Resort & Casino in
the Bahamas as vice president/finance; Resorts International where he was director of corporate
accounting and director of internal audit for its Bahamian operations on Paradise Island; and
PriceWaterhouseCoopers for seven years where, as an audit manager.
David F. Larone
CBRE Hotels
David Larone is a Senior Managing Director and practice lead with CBRE Hotels Valuation and Advisory
Services group in Canada. He is based in Toronto, but has responsibility nationally. David joined CBRE
Hotels in 2015 with the CBRE’s acquisition of PKF Consulting Canada, where he was National Managing
Director. David had been with PKF since 1975, and has over 40 years of hotel development, operational
and investment advisory experience. He has worked extensively within the hotel and resort sector
nationally and provincially in undertaking numerous operational reviews, development studies and
appraisals on behalf of owners, developers and lenders. David has considerable experience with resort
development and hotel valuations in the Caribbean and Latin America with recent experience in Belize,
Panama, Dominican Republic, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Anguilla, Barbados and Bermuda.
Page 11 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
John David Layton
BBL/Gramatan LLC
John David Layton serves as the Managing Director of Beach Bay Land Limited and US Manager of
Beach Bay Land Limited as Principal of Gramatan LLC. Leveraging his more than 20 years of operating,
investment, and project management experience, John serves on the firm’s Investment Committee. Prior
to joining Beach Bay Land Limited, John served as the principal of Ironhead Enterprises, LLC, a real estate
development company where he led the development and financing of greenfield and rehabilitation
commercial real estate projects. Prior to Ironhead, John held numerous operating and supervisory roles at
HRH Construction LLC, a leading construction management company that oversaw $1.2 billion in
construction projects annually. John received his B.A. from Lehigh University and his M.B.A. from Columbia
University.
Robert J. Lowe
Lowe Enterprises
Robert J. Lowe, Jr. is Co - Chief Executive Officer of Lowe Enterprises, a privately owned, diversified
national real estate company active in commercial, hospitality and residential investment, development
and management. During its 43 year history, Lowe has been responsible for more than $24 billion of real
estate assets. Rob is also Co-Chairman of Destination Hotels/Commune Hotels. Destination/Commune
is a pre-eminent independent and lifestyle focused hospitality management company with approximately
90 properties and 19,000 rooms.
Some of the properties operated by Destination/Commune include L’Auberge Del Mar, in Del Mar, CA,
Chicago Athletic Association, Chicago, IL, and the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, in Phoenix, AZ. Examples
of major development projects include Suncadia, a 3000-unit resort in Roslyn, WA, the Stowe Mountain
Lodge, in Stowe, VT, and Terranea Resort, with 580 rooms in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.
Mr. Lowe earned an AB at Stanford and an MBA from UCLA Anderson. He is past President of the
Trustees of the Palisades Presbyterian Church and past Chairman of the Board of Managers of the
Palisades-Malibu YMCA.
Mr. Lowe is married with three children.
Diego Lowenstein
Lionstone Development
Diego Lowenstein has been part of his family’s international business interests for over 25 years, and
his active involvement and know-how in acquiring, developing, revitalizing and repositioning hotels and
casinos throughout Florida and the Caribbean has helped lead the family-entrepreneurial firm to new
heights. In partnership with service-industry leaders, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Kimpton
Hotels, Hilton Hotels, AMResorts, the InterContinental Hotel Group and Virgin Hotels, Diego has fulfilled
developments in markets that include Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, Chicago and several others in the
Caribbean. His expertise in multinational operations, finance and marketing has supported Lionstone’s
expansion into luxury residential real estate and mixed-use hotel developments.
In the past decade Lionstone has entitled, converted and developed over 1,500 hotel rooms and over
2 million square feet of real estate projects, with a robust development pipeline and plans to double its
portfolio by 2020.
Diego Lowenstein has served as Chief Executive Officer of Lionstone since 2003. Among his many
roles and Board responsibilities, he oversees the asset management structures, acts as managing partner
with joint venture partners, is responsible for directing deal structuring, financial feasibility analysis,
financing and hospitality chain and management firm selection and negotiations.
Page 12 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Mark Lunt
EY
With over 20 years of experience, Mark Lunt leads E&Y’s efforts in providing hospitality and real estate
advisory services for the U.S. Southeast Area, Caribbean and Latin American region. Major recent
engagements included a detailed restructure analysis of regional demand characteristics to advise the
lender on go-forward alternatives on major components of a large mixed-use resort, acquisition due
diligence for the purchase of multiple luxury & all inclusive hotels in the US and Latin America, analyses of
supply and demand characteristics for lodging, vacation ownership, golf and residential components as
well as strategic guidance on development & exit strategy, phasing, and critical success factors related to
mixed-use resort development in Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, South Florida, the Bahamas,
Caribbean and throughout the United States.
Mark has led advisory projects involving all types of hospitality assets, including hotels, vacation
ownership, mixed-use resorts, condominium-hotels, golf courses, marinas, convention facilities and tourist
attractions. He has focused his activities on transaction due diligence and strategic development
consulting. Mr. Lunt is a graduate of Cornell University and serves as Chair of ULI’s Recreational
Development Council. He is the author of many articles, is often quoted in industry and trade publications,
and is an experienced speaker and lecturer on real estate and hospitality issues.
Robert MacLellan
MacLellan & Associates
Robert MacLellan is CEO of MacLellan & Associates, the Caribbean’s leading hospitality consultancy.
Established 1997, the company has conducted assignments in 23 Caribbean islands with consultants
based in St Lucia, Antigua, St Maarten, Trinidad, USA and UK. Development related services range from
conceptual and feasibility studies, through design input and hotel operator evaluation / selection, to finance
sourcing. The consultancy also undertakes valuations / appraisals and expert witness assignments.
In a diverse 40 year career in the hospitality and property sectors, Robert gained operations experience
with P&O / Princess Cruises, Forte Hotels, Holiday Inns International and Loews Hotels. He has managed
resorts and marinas in Bermuda, St Thomas, Jamaica, England and Spain. Prior to founding the
consultancy, his last three corporate positions in UK were as vice president of a luxury explorer cruise line,
managing director of a major London property management company and managing director of a national
chain of budget hotels and restaurants. Robert is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and a member of
the International Society of Hospitality Consultants – an elite invitation-only group of specialists world-wide.
He has a Masters Degree in International Hotel Management from University of Surrey in England,
majoring in design and development.
Rohan D. Miller
Sagicor Group Jamaica Ltd.
Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited, Publicly traded Jamaican financial holding company (banking,
insurance, pension and real estate). As Chief Investment Officer he oversees the US$2.5 billion Asset
Management operations in the areas of Securities Trading, Treasury & Fund Management and Real Estate
in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica and USA.
Sagicor Investments Jamaica Limited, President & CEO since July 2014, regulated Securities Dealer,
licensed Primary Dealer, Broker on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, Bond Trader, Investment Advisor and
largest CIS Fund Manager. Managed Assets - US$640 million.
Sagicor Real Estate X Fund Limited, St. Lucia, President and CEO, Publicly traded St. Lucia Real Estate
Investment Company, with assets of US$278 million and market cap of US$184 million. Investor in
commercial real estate including 4 Hilton branded properties, Jewel Dunn’s River, Curio by Hilton, Jamaica,
Jewel Runway Bay, Runaway Bay, Jamaica, Jewel Paradise Cove, Curio by Hilton, Jamaica, Hilton Rose
Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica, DoubleTree by Hilton @ the Entrance of Universal, Orlando Florida.
Education MBA - Finance, Rutgers University Graduate School of Management, New Jersey, USA,
1988-1990; BSc. in Agriculture with major in Agriculture Economics, University of West Indies, St.
Augustine, Trinidad, 1982-1985.
Page 13 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Marta Molina-Seal
CPG Real Estate
Mrs. Molina runs CPG’s asset management organization and in that capacity oversees the performance
of CPG’s 2,000+ hotel rooms and hospitality related assets situated in Latin America and the Caribbean,
including award-winning Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and a collection of upper upscale, limited
service and all-inclusive properties and ancillary assets that include golf courses, casinos and resort
residential developments. In her capacity she also gets actively involved in prospective hotel acquisitions,
driving development, repositioning and disposition strategies, aiding in transaction structuring, contract
negotiation and transaction due diligence.
In her previous role at Marriott International, Mrs. Molina managed all project processes for select
hospitality transactions as part of the Mixed Use Development Group and evaluated the market potential
and financial returns for all proposed Marriott and Ritz-Carlton lodging products throughout Latin America
and the Caribbean.
A native of Panama, Mrs. Molina served as Policy Advisor to the Presidential Committee on Sustainable
Development led by Vice President Kaiser Bazan. She also served as Director of Marketing and Analysis
for the Panama Tourism Board. She has consulted for the Inter American Development Bank and other
multilateral agencies.
Mrs. Molina holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University's School of Hotel
Administration and a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s School of
Foreign Service. She resides in New York City.
Michael Morton
Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Michael Morton is Vice President, Owner Relations for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. Morton
oversees the company’s North American Development team and the development process from hotel
member application to activation.
Since joining Best Western in 2009, Morton has made many contributions including leading brand
training efforts to become one of the best in the industry, development of the company’s customer-care
initiative I Care® and led the company’s customer feedback initiative by working with partner Medallia to
greatly enhance the customer survey feedback reporting tools and training available to Members.
Before joining Best Western, Morton was involved in single property and corporate multi-hotel
operations since 1985, working with such brands as Doubletree, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt and Marriott.
He spent more than ten years with Boykin Management Company (BMC), most recently as senior vice
president of operations for BMC overseeing their full-service hotel portfolio. Morton was also vice president
of operations for JHM hotels, hired to lead the company’s entry into the full-service upscale hotel market.
He has a very strong hotel operations background with expertise in food and beverage operations. He is a
graduate of the University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management/Industrial
Accounting.
Page 14 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Roland Mouly
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
Mr. Mouly is overseeing all development activities for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group in the Caribbean,
Mexico and Latin America. His duties include guiding the deployment of additional resources in the region
and leading an aggressive development staff focused on negotiating and structuring management and
franchise agreements to expend Carlson’s presence (today over 50 hotels). Roland’s role also encompass
leveraging his contacts with owners/developers and institutional investors (equity funds/REIT) to structure
multi units agreements as well as directing Carlson’s investment initiatives to secure brand enhancing
acquisition, management and franchise opportunities. He is currently directing the company strategy to
selectively expand in the upper upscale segment in major gateways with Radisson Blu, establish a network
of Radisson Red, Carlson’s new upscale lifestyle offering, an alternative for owner developer seeking a
contemporary and efficient hotel concept, whilst still focusing on on-going initiative to expand the midmarket Park Inn by Radisson brand, all three segments selectively complementing the already extensive
regional Radisson portfolio.
Over the last 25 years, Roland has successfully acquired, built and negotiated an extensive number of
first class hotel assets, positioning several prominent international hotel companies as leading operator
and franchisor in various segments (Regent, Radisson, Renaissance, Park, and Ramada).
Mr. Mouly is a graduate of Arizona State University, USA and Universite des Sciences Sociales
Toulouse, France, where he respectively obtained an MBA in finance and a Master of Economics. He is
fluent in Spanish, French and proficient in Portuguese.
Xavier Mufraggi
Club Med
Xavier Mufraggi is a dynamic professional with a strong strategic marketing background in the food,
consumer and hospitality sectors. Holding a master’s degree in Business Management from EDHEC, one
of the top 5 business schools in Europe, Xavier began his career in Sales and Marketing for Kraft Foods
in Europe. After seven years with Kraft, he accepted a position with Club Med and after three years with
the company, he was named CEO of Club Med North America where he now oversees a $290 million
dollar operation consisting of 2,200 employees. Xavier succeeded in the turnaround of Club Med’s North
American business in 2010 and the region has posted record performances every year since 2012 with
excellent prospects for 2016-2020. Xavier has lived in France, the Ivory Coast and Washington D.C., and
he now resides in Miami, Florida with his wife and daughters, where he actively trains and competes in
triathlons.
Fernando Mulet
Playa Hotels & Resorts
Mr. Mulet has been with Playa Hotels & Resorts since its inception in 2006. With over 15 years of
international hotel experience, Mr. Mulet has played a prominent role in the acquisition, development and
asset management of the portfolio and currently heads the Acquisitions Group for Playa Hotels & Resorts.
Prior to joining Playa Hotels & Resorts, he was the Director of International Investments & Asset
Management with Highland Hospitality Corporation (NYSE: HIH). He helped HIH to successfully structure
and close its first acquisition in Mexico.
A native of Spain, Mr. Mulet began his career in the hospitality industry in 1999 at Barceló Hotels &
Resorts. During his tenure at Barceló, Mr. Mulet held different positions both at the corporate and hotel
level in Mexico, Spain and in the US.
In 1999, he earned his Business Administration (E-2) degree at the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas
(ICADE) in Madrid, Spain. He continued his education in the US at Cornell University where he earned a
certification in Real Estate, Development and Hotels Investment from The School of Hotel Administration
at Cornell University in 2004.
Page 15 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Andro Nodarse-León
León, Mayer & Co.
Andro Nodarse-León is the co-founder of LEÓN, MAYER & Co., a Miami and New York City based
private equity and investment banking firm. LM invests and advises across several industries, including
education, hospitality, technology, media and entertainment. LM’s private equity holdings include El San
Juan Hotel & Casino, one of the leading hotels in the Caribbean and Endeavor Schools, a leading US
based pre-k to 12th grade private school company.
Prior to co-founding LM, Mr. Nodarse-Leon was a private equity investment executive at Kohlberg
Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and an investment banking executive at Goldman Sachs & Co in New York
City. Mr. Nodarse-León graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of
Science in Economics from the Wharton School and a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from
the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Mr. Nodarse-León is the author of Cuba: From Economic Take-off to Collapse under Castro published
by Transaction Publishers in 2015. He serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Cuban
American National Foundation.
Mr. Nodarse-León was born in Havana, Cuba and migrated at the age of 12 to Miami, FL, where he
currently lives.
Paulo Pena
Wyndham Hotel Group
Paulo Pena is president and managing director, Latin America and Caribbean for Wyndham Hotel
Group. In this role, he is responsible for leading the company’s development efforts in Latin America, an
integral region in Wyndham Hotel Group’s international plans, as well as providing operational, marketing,
revenue management and sales services to the company’s franchisees and robust network of multi-unit
development partners.
Pena joins Wyndham Hotel Group from Starwood Hotels & Resorts where he held various roles in
operations, strategy, marketing and global partnerships throughout his ten year tenure. Most recently, he
served as vice president, global partnerships, responsible for developing, negotiating and executing crossfunctional strategic alliances and partnerships.
Pena previously held several international finance positions for The Coca-Cola Company across Asia
Pacific, Europe and the United States. He began his career in the audit division of Ernst & Young.
Pena is fluent in Spanish and holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Technology
in Sydney, Australia and a master’s of business administration from Harvard Business School in
Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
He is based in Wyndham Hotel Group’s Parsippany, N.J. offices.
Jean-Francois Perrault
Scotiabank
Jean-Francois Perrault joined Scotiabank on December 31, 2015 as Senior Vice-President and Chief
Economist. Prior to joining Scotiabank, Jean-François held prominent roles with the federal government,
the Bank of Canada, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. In his new role he will be
responsible for providing Scotiabank's senior executives, partners and customers with economic
perspectives, insights and forecasts. Jean-François’ educational background includes Master's and
Bachelor's Degrees in Economics from the University of Ottawa.
Page 16 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Ron Pohl
Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Ron Pohl is senior vice president, brand management, for Best Western Hotels and Resorts.
He serves on the company’s executive committee and leads the brands operations and development
for North America and Asia. Pohl’s responsibilities include key departments within the hotel chain, including
customer care, member services, revenue management, education and training, design, supply, and global
quality assurance. He was instrumental in the creation and launch of Best Western Vib, Glo, and the
Premier Collection. Pohl joined Best Western in 2007 as vice president of operations. In that role, the 35year hospitality industry veteran significantly improved revenue management systems, brand quality and
guest satisfaction, Prior to joining Best Western, Pohl spent more than 20 years with Boykin Management
Company. With Boykin, Pohl also spent 10 years as a full-service hotel general manager and earned
awards for sales leadership, website development, and outstanding customer service. He served in a
number of senior-level positions in the areas of marketing, sales, and revenue management, and ultimately
senior vice president of operations. Pohl’s diverse hotel background comes from working with an array of
hotel brands, including Choice, Hilton, Marriott, and Radisson, and independent resorts and condo hotels.
He currently serves on the AHLA Board of Directors and previously served on the board of directors for
the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland, as well as advisory committees for Marriott and
DoubleTree hotels.
Scott Preston
Preston Arza LLP
Scott concentrates his practice in the areas of domestic and international real estate development,
finance and investment transactions. He has an extensive background in the areas of international hotel
and resort development and financing, international corporate and tax structuring, property acquisitions
and sales, land use and the development regulatory process, construction, leasing, foreign investment,
and commercial real estate financing.
He currently serves as a Board of Trustees Member of the American Resort Development Association
and also has been a member of the Mexican Resort Development Association (AMDETUR). He is a
member of the California Bar Association (Sections on Real Estate, Corporate and International Law) and
the Los Angeles County Bar Association (Sections on Real Estate, Business and International Law).
Scott is a graduate of Universidad de Guanajuato foreign exchange program, Mexico (1990), the
University of Michigan (A.B., summa cum laude, 1992) and Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1995),
where he was articles editor and associate editor for the Harvard International Law Review as well as
articles editor and supervising editor for the Harvard Latino Law Review.
Cliff Risman
Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
Cliff Risman is a veteran business lawyer who represents companies that develop, own, operate and
finance hotels around the world. As a leading attorney in the Firm's hospitality industry team and real estate
practice group, Cliff is described by clients in the Chambers USA Guide as "very practical and always
accessible." Clients choose Cliff over competitors because he speaks the language and fully understands
every aspect of their business – from securing capital, structuring deals and negotiating management
contracts, to guiding clients through labor, tax, food and beverage, and operational matters and disputes.
Cliff represents luxury and boutique hotel and resort brands, operators and management companies,
developers, private equity and other investors in their highest profile projects. He understands how to best
tackle the various agreements – he knows the hospitality industry and the unique business and economic
issues that arise – and he has guided clients through many complex matters and dispute resolutions. Cliff
ensures that clients are protected, focuses intently on their broader business goals, and knows how, where
and when to push to get the deal done as quickly as possible.
Page 17 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Javier Sanchez
Hard Rock International
Joining Hard Rock in August 2014 as SVP Development for Hotels – LATAM & the Caribbean, Javier
Sanchez is part of the critical team responsible for leading the brand’s global growth efforts. In this position,
Javier’s primary roles include the structuring and implementation of development strategies, seeking and
securing new hotel projects and identifying opportunities for hotel and resort acquisitions.
Javier’s passion for the intersection of real estate and hospitality is evident in his past experience,
including a multi-year tenure with Realogy Holdings Corp. – the world’s largest leading franchisor of real
estate brokerages – where he successfully implemented growth strategies within LATAM & the Caribbean
as VP of Development. Prior to joining Realogy, Javier was Development Director for Wyndham Hotel
Group where he successfully sourced, negotiated, generated and/or executed franchise deals in new
markets, including but not limited to: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua,
Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico and Suriname. During this time at WHG, Javier was essential in the growth of
TRYP by Wyndham – the hotel group’s select-service urban hotel brand with over 110 hotels around the
globe becoming the top developer globally for the brand.
Javier graduated from Universidad de La Salle in San Jose, Costa Rica, where he studied business
and marketing. Javier continued to gain real estate experience, receiving his Real Estate Brokerage
Course and Certification from the Costa Rica Chamber of Real Estate Brokers in 2007. Based in Costa
Rica, Javier speaks two languages - Spanish and English and has a good understanding of Portuguese.
Kike Sarasola
Room Mate Hotels & BeMate.com
Enrique José Sarasola Marulanda, known as Kike Sarasola, has enjoyed a successful, multifaceted
career as an athlete and businessman. As President of Room Mate Hotels, Kike has further defined his
business understanding to lead a collection of 29 boutique hotels and more than 1.400 rooms worldwide.
In 2014, Kike Sarasola goes one step further creating BeMate.com, a new collaborative community
that, will contact houses owners and travelers so that they can enjoy all kinds of services to make their
stay an unforgettable experience.
In the past, He has also been awarded as a world class equestrian winning four Spanish championships,
three trophies in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games, and a bronze medal in the 2001
European championship (the first ever won by a Spanish horseman). After suffering a severe back injury
in preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Sarasola was forced to retire from his career in
sports, which took him to focus on his entrepreneur career.
Kent Schwarz
Colliers International
Kent Schwarz is Executive Vice President of Colliers International Hotels. Based in Florida, he focuses
on hotel and resort transaction services in the Caribbean, Eastern Seaboard and Florida.
Kent brings over 30 years of hotel and resort experience to Colliers International Hotels that includes
15 years of transaction specific experience. Prior to joining Colliers, he headed the New York office of an
international hospitality investment banking firm. Previously, Kent was president of a hotel ownership and
management company specializing in full-service and condo-hotels. He also served as divisional manager
for Hilton Hotels Corporation at Hilton’s world-headquarters.
Kent speaks extensively at investment conferences in the United States and the Caribbean. He holds
real estate brokers licenses in multiple states including Florida and New York.
Page 18 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Scott D. Smith
CBRE Hotels
Scott Smith is the Managing Director of PKF Consulting USA, and he is located in the Atlanta, Georgia
office. Mr. Smith has over 20 years of hospitality industry experience in both appraising and consulting
capacities, as well as proficiencies in other real estate types.
Mr. Smith has managed and conducted appraisal and consulting assignments, involving both the public
and private sectors, throughout the U.S and Caribbean. He has worked for the industry’s leading lenders,
developers, chains and management companies and has dealt with many aspects of the lodging industry,
including valuation analyses, market and financial analyses and investment structuring for hotels, resorts,
mixed-use residential and lodging developments, conference and convention centers and other hospitality
industry projects, workouts, repositioning and strategic planning, loan review and disposition strategy and
litigation services.
Mr. Smith is a Member of the Appraisal Institute (“MAI”) and is one of PKF Consulting USA’s chief
appraisers in the Southeast. Furthermore, Mr. Smith is the principal author of the Hospitality Investment
Survey, which is an annual publication produced by PKF Consulting USA in conjunction with The
Hospitality Research Group that reports on important real estate investment trends. He also authors the
Caribbean Trends in the Hotel Industry which is an annual publication produced by PKF Consulting USA.
He is also called upon frequently by local and national news agencies to report on hospitality industry
matters.
Chad F. Sorensen
ISHC
Chad Sorensen is a Partner with CHMWarnick, an asset management and business advisory services
firm that serves as an advisor to many of the world’s leading hotel and real estate companies, private
investors, financial institutions, and government agencies. He serves as Chairman, on the Board of the
Directors, of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (“ISHC”), an invitation-only society
comprised of prominent hospitality consultants from around the world. He is very active, through his role
as Committee Chair, in the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (“HAMA”), the preeminent organization
of professionals responsible for proactively increasing asset values on behalf of hotel owners worldwide.
Chad is a regular speaker at leading industry conferences and events and is the Co-Chair of the next
publication of “ISHC CapEx – A Study of Capital Expenditures in the Hotel Industry.
Chad holds a Masters of Business Administration degree, with a dual emphasis in Finance and
Management, from The University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and
Institutional Management from Iowa State University.
Wesley Stumbo
Bluegrass Equity Partners
Wesley has formed multiple real estate and private equity companies following his injury-shortened
career in professional baseball with the Cincinnati Reds. He’s been involved with all types of commercial
projects throughout the US and internationally. Wesley adds great value to each transaction or
development by bringing in his unique blend of strategic partners.
Wesley has been married since 2005 to Emily and is a proud father to Madeleine. During his free time,
he is active in his community and church. He’s a fan of all sports, especially the University of Kentucky
Wildcats and thoroughbred horse racing. His family is well established in Lexington and the state of
Kentucky.
Bluegrass Equity Partners serves as a conduit for Wesley’s extensive and proprietary network of
strategic partners and investors to capitalize a wide array of projects. Bluegrass Equity Partners identifies
the deal, conducts due diligence, prepares the loan package and creates the single purpose entity to close
the deal. Bluegrass Equity Partners has formed a special arm solely focused on Caribbean hospitality
finance and investment. Wesley is currently developing or involved in hospitality related projects
throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
Page 19 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Ralph Taylor
Arcadia Hotels & Resorts
Ralph Taylor is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arcadia Hotels & Resorts, a new hotel
brand that owns and manages The SOCO Hotel in Barbados.
Responsible for the introduction of the all-inclusive concept to Barbados. He served as Chairman and
Managing Director of Almond Resorts Inc. for 20 years and spearheaded the successful expansion of
Almond’s all-inclusive product, from one to five hotels with over 1,500 rooms in both Barbados and St.
Lucia.
Named the “Caribbean Hotelier of the Year” in 1995, Mr. Taylor was recognized as the “Caribbean
Tourism Media Personality of the Year” by the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism in
2003. He was awarded the inaugural Barbados Minister of Tourism's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006
for his outstanding contribution to Caribbean tourism. He was appointed Chairman of the Regional
Marketing Trust by Caribbean Governments to oversee the umbrella program for marketing of the
Caribbean Region.
Mr. Taylor has served on regional boards and is a past President and Chairman of the Caribbean Hotel
Association. He has also served as Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Authority and Chairman of the
Tourism Development Corporation.
Having earned his MBA from Bradford University, he is a member of the Hotel Catering Institute
Management Association, and holds the designation of Certified Hotel Administrator from the American
Hotel and Motel School.
Pedro Tomas
Hotel Dreams Palm Beach
Born February 13, 1983 to a Lebanese father and Panamanian mother in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic. Raised and educated in the city.
Earned a degree in Tourism and Hotel Industry Management and a Masters degree in Hotel
Management at Saint Paul de Mar in Barcelona.
Introduced to the hotel business at a young age, I was attracted to something trivial as being in an
environment where elegance, sophistication and details play a leading role. I realized afterwards that what
made me continue is the fact of being able to touch so many lives in this massive business (employees,
clients, suppliers, interaction with the community and its development).
Started as a bartender / waiter in a catering company in Europe while finishing my studies. At the age
of 25 I occupied a position of Resident Manager, receiving a promotion to General Manager at the age of
27, managing a hotel of 500 rooms with 750 employees. Proud to form part of AM Resorts for 8 years,
company which opened its doors to me at an important time, making me part of its team while expanding.
Among my personal achievements is building a house to a staff member. A third year in a row we have
developed this work, fortifying my desire to keep operating in a sustainable manner with the community.
Karolin Troubetzkoy
CHTA
A passionate advocate for Caribbean tourism and sustainable development, Karolin Troubetzkoy is the
President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) for the term 2016-2018, having
previously served as a Vice President of the association since 2012.
From 2012 to 2014, Mrs. Troubetzkoy chaired the CHTA Advocacy Committee for the region, and she
currently serves as the Chairperson of the Caribbean Alliance of Sustainable Tourism (CAST), a CHTA
initiative.
In her professional life, Karolin Troubetzkoy is the Executive Director, Marketing and Operations of Anse
Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts in St. Lucia, spearheading the marketing and day-to-day operations
of these award winning resorts since 1984.
From 2010 to 2015, Mrs. Troubetzkoy served as President of the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism
Association (SLHTA) and was instrumental in the successful launch of a St. Lucia Tourism Enhancement
Fund.
She has been a Director of the St. Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB) since 2010, and since 2014, she has
been the Chairperson of the destination’s Marketing Committee.
Karolin Troubetzkoy was the recipient of the St. Lucia Hotelier of the Year Award in 2006, and in 2012,
she received the prestigious Caribbean Hotelier of the Year Award from the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism
Association. She is a citizen of St. Lucia.
Page 20 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Warrick Ward
NCB Capital Markets (Barbados) Limited
In his current role as Chief Executive Officer of NCB Capital Markets (Barbados) Limited, Warrick is
charged with maintaining the strategic outlook and development of the company in Barbados and the
Eastern Caribbean. Prior to this role Warrick served in senior roles at the Financial Services Commission,
the Barbados Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Central Bank of Barbados. Warrick has also sat on a
number of diverse policy-making and legislative committees dealing with the economics, the securities
market and e-commerce. Among his research interests are financial derivatives, e-commerce, and capital
market-related issues of which he has published in a number of academic books and journals. Warrick,
who was a Director of the Barbados Stock Exchange and part-time Lecturer at the University of the West
Indies, is also an avid sports enthusiast. He was educated at the University of the West Indies and the
University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, where he has completed degrees in finance, economics
and accounting.
Bruce D. Wardinski
Playa Hotels & Resorts
Mr. Wardinski is the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Playa Hotels & Resorts (“Playa”). Playa is
the owner of all-inclusive resorts located in Mexico and the Caribbean. Mr. Wardinski has served in his
current position since founding Playa in early 2006.
Previously, Mr. Wardinski was CEO of Barceló Crestline Corporation; Chairman of the Board of
Highland Hospitality Corporation (NYSE: HIH); Chairman, President and CEO of Crestline Capital
Corporation (NYSE: CLJ); Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Host Marriott Corporation (NYSE: HMT);
and served in various other capacities with Host Marriott and Marriott Corporation. He graduated with
honors from the University of Virginia with a B.S. degree in Commerce and earned an MBA degree in
Finance from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Wardinski currently serves as Chairman of the ServiceSource Foundation, serves on the Board of
Directors of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and is a member of the George Mason
University Foundation Board of Trustees.
Mr. Wardinski serves as a director of DiamondRock Hospitality Company (NYSE:DRH) and previously
served as director of privately-owned international resort company Kerzner International.
Sarah H. Winston
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Sarah Winston is a partner in the Global Real Estate Practice Group and member of the Hotels, Resorts
& Tourism Steering Committee for Baker & McKenzie LLP. Ms. Winston is also the chair of BakerWomen,
the women’s affinity group for the Chicago office.
Ms. Winston advises developers, institutional lenders and equity investors on buying and selling a wide
range of commercial real estate, particularly hotels and resorts. She also represents both owners and
operators in the negotiation and implementation of management agreements.
Ms. Winston also advises hotel owners, managers and lenders on joint ventures, financing and ground
lease transactions. In particular, she advises a number of international clients with respect to hotels in the
U.S. and U.S. companies with their needs around the world. Her practice involves complex joint venture
arrangements and hotel portfolio financings. Further, given her long standing relationships with a number
of clients, Ms. Winston has a strong understanding and is able to resolve issues that arise in the operation
of hotels.
Ms. Winston holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a law
degree from Michigan State University.
Page 21 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Steve Woodward
KPMG
Steve Woodward is a Managing Director with KPMG in Bermuda and leader of KPMG Enterprise in
Bermuda and the wider Caribbean sub-region. KPMG Enterprise provides audit and advisory services to
a wide range of clients outside of the financial service sector with a strong focus on the tourism, leisure
and travel industry.
Steve’s portfolio includes a number of hospitality sector clients in Bermuda including several of the
island’s leading hotels. His experience also covers a wide range of other industries including government
and public sector organizations, retail and wholesale distribution, manufacturing, real estate and
construction, telecommunications, transportation and logistics, and infrastructure.
From 1995 to 1997 Steve worked as an audit manager in Barbados where he served a number of the
island’s major hotels and real estate developments. He also spent two years as a director in Antigua where
his clients included many of the island’s leading hotels as well as a Caribbean regional airline.
Steve has a Masters Degree in Mining Engineering from Imperial College, London. He is a Chartered
Accountant with over 26 years’ experience. Steve is the Treasurer of the Bermuda Zoological Society and
a Board Member of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.
Stefan C. M. Wright
Inter-American Development Bank
Mr. Wright is a Lead Investment Officer in the Structured and Corporate Finance Department at the
Inter-American Development Bank (“IDB”) in Jamaica. Mr. Wright is responsible for making loans directly
to the private sector throughout Latin America and the Caribbean with an emphasis on Jamaica.
Mr. Wright is the senior banker covering the tourism and hospitality sector throughout the Caribbean
and Latin America.
Mr. Wright was the CEO of Near Shore Solutions Inc., a financial advisory firm (2005-2008).
Mr. Wright was also formerly a Vice President of Investment Banking in the Media & Telecom Group at
Banc of America Securities in New York (1997-2004). As Vice President, his responsibilities included
raising debt and equity securities as well as providing mergers and acquisitions advisory services to
telecom companies.
Mr. Wright holds a Master’s in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the Leonard N. Stern School of
Business at New York University (Major in Finance), U.S.A. (1997). He holds a BSc. Accounting (Hons.)
from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. Mr. Wright has completed all stages of the ACCA
examinations.
Mr. Wright is a past recipient of the Carreras Postgraduate Scholarship (1995-1997) and of the KPMG
Peat Marwick Scholarship in Accounting (1991-1993).
Mr. Wright and his wife, Marilyn have three children.
Todd Wynne-Parry
Destination Hotels | Commune Hotels + Resorts
In his role as Executive Vice President of Global Acquisitions and Development for the newly merged
Destination Hotels and Commune Hotels + Resorts, Todd oversees the company's global business growth
efforts, including sourcing and securing new management contracts and investment opportunities.
The impact of his 30-year career in the hospitality industry has spanned continents through his senior
leadership positions at some of the world’s most well-known hotel companies. Todd has lived and worked
in the U.S., Asia, Australia and the UK and led the development efforts for IHG, Starwood and Marriott in
the Asia Pacific region and for the Trump Hotel Collection globally.
Todd earned an MBA from Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management (Glendale,
Arizona) and a BA from Alma College (Alma, Michigan). Todd also studied briefly as an undergraduate
at Scotland’s University of Aberdeen and now serves on the university’s Board of Directors for the U.S.
Development Trust. Todd is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Page 22 of 23
SPEAKERS
as of May 3, 2016
Jonathon S. Zink
BHN
Jonathon Zink is managing director for Burba Hotel Network (BHN) based in California, where he directs
and/or manages various hotel and tourism investment conferences produced by BHN around the world.
Program development, event growth, and special projects such as operational processes and new
business opportunities also fit under his management. BHN has successfully completed over 120
conferences in 22 countries, where over 85,000 delegates from around the world have come together to
network, conduct business, and learn about the latest trends.
Most recently, Jonathon was manager, strategic business unit for The Soneva Group based in both the
Maldives and Thailand. With Soneva, he worked in cross-functional teams to develop and implement
group-wide initiatives, analyzed and recommended solutions for new projects/business opportunities, and
reported directly to the chairman & CEO. The Soneva Group is a successful luxury collection of worldclass resorts that sets the benchmark for responsible tourism through its SLOW LIFE philosophy.
Jonathon holds an MBA from the International University of Japan (IUJ) in 2013 and a BA from The
School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University (MSU) in 2004. In addition to being an active
IUJ alumnus, he serves on the Real Estate Investment Management Advisory Council at MSU.
Alejandro Zozaya
Apple Leisure Group
Alejandro (Alex) Zozaya is Chief Executive Officer of Apple Leisure Group (ALG), a hospitality
powerhouse comprised of Apple Vacations, Travel Impressions, CheapCaribbean.com®, AMResorts,
Amstar dmc and Unlimited Vacation Club.
Alex’s 30+ years of industry experience, including 11 years as AMResorts' Founder and President, have
guided the Group’s record-breaking growth and secured ALG’s status as the world’s #1 provider of North
American leisure travelers to Mexico and the Caribbean.
This year, ALG, through AMResorts, will operate more than 50 upscale resorts in 23 premium beach
destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. ALG’s resort footprint will extend to
56 hotels totaling 20,000+ rooms across 7 countries by 2018.
Prior to establishing AMResorts in 2001, Alex held senior positions at Fiesta Americana Hotels &
Resorts, including Vice President of Sales and Marketing, where he directed all commercial activities for
Latin America's largest hotel consortium.
Alex's outstanding contributions to international hotel business have earned him numerous industry
accolades. Expansion has included Alex on its list of the 100 most important and influential business
people in Mexico for the last five consecutive years and other distinctions for hospitality excellence include
"Hotelier of the Year" and the Diamante award.
Page 23 of 23