From the classic Waldorf=Astoria, to the iconic Delano, and innovative Hard Rock San Diego, I have been a driving force in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. I was an apprentice to the birth of the “cheap-chic” concept at New York’s groundbreaking Paramount hotel, under the direction and inspiration of Ian Schrager. Gerald Inzerillo, the former president of Morgans Hotel Group, deems
me the “substance behind the style,” Moving to Miami, I become the name behind many boutique hotels during South Beach’s renaissance including the Marlin, Casa Grande and The Tides. Line and stack each of these sophisticated venues together in your mind, and you have the spatial image of my experience in hotel management. As for the development of Miami’s South Beach, Island Records Founder Chris Blackwell describes me as “one of the key behind-the-scenes people who made it happen.”
As General Manager of the Hard Rock Hotel, Chicago, a AAA Four Diamond facility it was awarded Conde Nast’s 2006 Hot List Award. The description of my mission in the hotel industry as “excelling in the basics, then turning up the amplifier a few notches to create a memorable experience". I managed the Acqualina Resort, achieving the coveted AAA Five Diamond award. Raul Leal with Virgin Hotels, called me as “a true ‘lifestyle’ professional. I’ve concluded a one year assignment in Riyadh, KSA as the pre-opening GM. Amid this mastery, I made an expansive network of connections across the globe, forming relationships with many service specialists. I Founded Tailored Hospitality International in 2002, a consulting firm specializing in lifestyle hospitality branding, I represent HULANIKI Design working with the legendary designer Barbara Hulinicki, HRM and Unique Hospitality Management.
