Rick Antosh (Edgewater, NJ)
Highly qualified Financial Executive with broad experience in varied hospitality industry environments including: VP-Finance for Select Service Partner; established Compass Group's entrance into the North American Market for Airport F&B concessions, growing to $35 M in 18 months and opening 50+ units in five airports. Director of Development Finance for Ian Schrager Hotels in New York, NY; created a new section of the Finance division in order to handle the company's $500 M simultaneous developmental endeavors. Director of Finance for the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort & Casino, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico; opening team. Vice President Finance for the Grand Traverse Resort.

Dick Barger (Boston)
Chairman of The Barger Companies, with wide international and domestic experience, specializing in the development and management of hotels, resorts, executive conference centers and golf resort projects. Also offering organizational consulting for management companies, tourism development, resort/conference center marketing, lodging facility analysis, management audits, distressed property workouts, repositioning, and expert witness testimony.

Rowlie B. Bates (Boston)
With more than 30 years of residential and golf/hotel/resort acquisitions and development experience, Rowlie leads the Southworth Development team's acquisitions initiative for adding large scale Master Planned Communities and resorts to their portfolio. He was a founding partner and President of Golf Realty Advisors, Inc. the boutique golf consulting firm that managed golf development assignments across the US. When GRA was acquired by Willowbend Development, Rowlie became Executive Vice President and managed the acquisition of numerous properties in the US and Caribbean. In addition, Rowland was the senior executive of The Liberty National project responsible for managing and implementing all aspects of this golf club and residential development. Most recently, Rowland managed the Creighton Farms luxury community on behalf of Pyramis Global Advisors, a Fidelity Investments company, and was director of acquisitions and development for Sawyer Realty Holdings LLC, focused on multi-family and hotel acquisitions on the eastern seaboard.

Phil Baxter   (El Segundo, CA)
Currently focused on distressed hotel assets, Phil is utilizing his significant workout experience to provide asset management, interim management, advisory and marketing for special servicers and lenders, via his consultancy, Hardisty Baxter. His 25-year background includes unit and multi-unit marketing, finance, and operations; asset management for large institutional owners; and significant acquisition and development experience. Phil was with Tishman Hotel Corporation for 14 years where he was responsible for operations and marketing of luxury hotel and resort properties and his experience was relied upon for development, advisory services, and acquisition/disposition activities for over $500 million in hotel transactions. A selection of assignments, as a regional operations executive and/or asset manager, include The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort, the Hay-Adams, The Ritz Carlton Mauna Lani (now the Fairmont Orchid), the Hyatt St. John (now the Westin St. John), the Four Points by Sheraton LAX, the Marriott Warner Center, the Grand Palazzo (now The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas), the Eldorado Hotel and the Renaissance Vinoy.

John Berndt   (Las Vegas)
Offering 35 years of leadership experience in the hospitality/tourism industry growing luxury brands globally, having held senior positions with: Cipriani; Ritz-Carlton; Hyatt; Westin Hotels and Resort Groups; Harrah’s Entertainment; Sung Hung Kai, Hong Kong’s largest mixed-use developer; and, Wharf/Wheelock’s, China’s largest landlord. John has extensive experience in all aspects of developing, opening and operating high-end mixed-use centers partnering with the best brands offering today’s lifestyle luxury products, services and amenities. These product lines include the world's most sophisticated hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, clubs, nightclubs, casinos, and fitness/wellness/medical spas, as well as the top golf & beach recreation, retail, art, music, cultural and entertainment facilities around the world.

Eric Bettelheim (Las Vegas)
President of The Ascona Group, with more than 30 years of operations and consulting experience, primarily in the deluxe category hotels and resorts worldwide. The Ascona Group specializes in project consulting, development, condominium hotel/resort development, pre-opening project management, executive search, operator selection, management contract negotiation, operations analysis, and asset and interim management of hotels and resorts in the US and abroad. Visit his site at www.asconagroup.com.

Aureliano Bonini (Rimini, Italy)
A highly regarded tourism and marketing consultant, Dr. Bonini is President and Founder of Trademark Italia, a marketing and management company which has held, since 1982, a leading role in the development of the Italian leisure industry. Based in the popular seaside resort of Rimini, he operates in Italy and overseas, serving hotel chains, travel agents, tour operators, local government bodies, international investment funds, real estate agencies and Italy’s largest banks. He and his company have completed more than 300 marketing projects in nine nations, and organized training sessions for hotel managers in Italy, Russia, Spain and Switzerland. A leader in hospitality market research, Trademark Italia has over 700 references, including hotel, spa and international amusement park operators and developers. Dr. Bonini is an expert in hospitality marketing and management and has experience in all aspects of the tourism industry including planning, development and hospitality valuation. He is also experienced with statistical and economic feasibility analyses, business plans and market studies, as well as hotel concept and design. He is a visiting professor for the major Italian Universities and a guest lecturer on F&B Management for Cornell’s Hotel School. An author and editor, Dr. Bonini has published several books and manuals, as well as written articles for the leisure market. He is fluent in Italian, English and French (German at school level). Cayuga’s Regional Director for Southwestern Europe.

John Bowen (Houston)
Dean, Conrad N. Hilton College, University of Houston. Co-author of Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism, the best selling text on hospitality marketing, published in eight languages. John specializes in customer loyalty and customer satisfaction using both customer surveys and in-depth interviews to show organizations how they can increase customer satisfaction, loyalty and profits. He’s an expert on the marketing of gaming operations and has facilitated training seminars on gaming marketing, as well as conducted research for casinos and gaming machine manufacturers. John has served as an expert witness on matters relating to hospitality and gaming marketing. He has a Ph.D. in marketing from Texas A&M University and 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Carl Braunlich (Indianapolis)
Director for Service Quality Research (SQR), a consulting firm specializing in performance-based instructional design, training protocols and creative training assessment techniques for multi-unit, high volume gaming entertainment organizations. Authority on compulsive gambling issues and responsible gaming program development.

Gary Brown (Williamsburg, VA)
Director National Accounts, Fountainebleau Las Vegas. Past VP, Hotel Sales for the Resort Collection of Colonial Williamsburg. Formerly Vice President of Convention Sales & Services for the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association.

Carl Bruggemeier “B” (Pendleton, IN)
Founder and CEO of The CZH Hospitality Group, with more than thirty-five years experience as a developer and advisor to the hospitality industry. Completed over $250 million in total restaurant and retail design, construction and development for internationally known hotel and restaurant clients. His comprehensive list of hospitality services includes concepting, reconcepting, designing, building and operating independent and hotel restaurants.

Scott Brush (Miami)
President, Brush & Company, providing a variety of services to all facets of the hospitality industry, with a focus on hotel and resort operations. With more than 35 years experience, both in operations and consultancy, Mr. Brush has the education and recognized expertise to provide high-quality, principal-involved consulting services, including hotel market surveys, operational diagnostics, comprehensive property reviews, litigation support, independent impact surveys, and asset management.

Jim Burr (Chicago)
President of Burr Company, offering services in hotel asset management, strategy development, due diligence and troubled hotel workouts. Jim has more than 40 years of industry experience, including asset management of more than $900 million of hotels, single and multi-unit hotel management, franchise operations and strategies, organizational development, planning and control systems development and installation, and consulting at the Principal level. Cayuga’s Group Leader for Asset Management and Distressed Properties Assistance.

Bill Callnin (Virginia Beach)
Cayuga Chairman and Managing Director, specializing in development and operations analyses of casinos; Group Leader, Casino Gaming Group (a division of Cayuga), an international, full-service gaming consultancy. Casino design, operating procedures and internal controls, operations analyses, management-performance reviews, regulatory compliance audits, casino lease / management contract negotiations, asset management.

Scott Callnin (Fort Worth)
Product Manager, Data Warehousing, Micros, Inc.; development of custom Data Warehouses which provide comprehensive reporting and analysis tools for national and international foodservice chains; additional consulting offered to customize data extraction, cleansing, reporting and analysis strategies around client’s specific needs.

Sean Callnin (Denver)
Partner and Vice President of Foodservice Operations with Ricca Newmark Design (RND), an international hospitality design and consulting firm specializing in foodservice, interior and laundry design. Over 19 years of experience in foodservice, laundry, and back-of-house planning & design. His vast array of projects cover all markets within the hospitality industry, with major emphasis in luxury hotels & resorts, signature restaurants, public assembly, and ski resorts. As Principal: responsible for all aspects of programming, conceptualiza-tion, facility design, and inter-disciplinary coordination to assure project success. As Vice President: responsible for managing all aspects of Ricca Newmark’s foodservice division, including staffing, scheduling of resources, quality control, and internal peer reviews for every project.

Rob Cantor (Philadelphia)
President and CEO of Insinger Machine Company, manufacturer of commercial warewashing equipment. Extensive experience with closely held family businesses.

John Capone (Austin, TX)
President and Founder of Brookestone Hospitality Resources, LLC, offering full-service, limited-service and resort property management, as well as consulting, asset management and owner support services to a wide variety of owners and lenders. Brookestone has directed operations, asset management, acquisitions and openings for over 100 hotels throughout the U.S. With more than 28 years of industry experience, John has overseen operations and sales/marketing for over $1 Billion worth of hotel assets, from numerous Marriott, Hilton, and Starwood hotels, to independent upscale hotels, such as the Coconut Grove Hotel, Hotel Royal Plaza, The Madison Hotel and the Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort. Prior to founding Brookestone, he was Senior VP of Richfield Hospitality, Inc., where he: directed all operations of Sceptre Hospitality Resources, a hotel revenue and connectivity company: and, launched The Elise Group, a revenue consulting firm which complemented the existing companies. Before joining Richfield, John was Senior VP of Operations for Prime Hospitality, where he directed all operations for the proprietary brands, built a team-oriented culture and developed six future VPs and Regional VPs. A Certified Hospitality Sales Professional, he has been recognized by Sales & Marketing Management.

George Carmona (Atlantic City)
Over 23 years’ experience in senior casino executive positions and as a consultant for casino developers and operators. Operational, financial and audit responsibilities with casinos in the U.S. and the Caribbean, with broad experience in development, regulatory approval and implementation of systems of accounting and internal control. Consultant for casinos in Yugoslavia, the Bahamas and for Indian tribal casino operations in the Western U.S.

Bill Carroll (Ithaca)
A Ph.D. economist, author and recognized expert in the areas of travel technology in marketing distribution and decision taking. Dr. Carroll is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Hotel Administration, teaching courses in economics, yield management, pricings and marketing distribution. He is also CEO of Marketing Economics, a consulting firm specializing in travel industry pricing, distribution, yield management and strategic planning. Over 25 years experience in senior positions in the travel industry. He was the Division Vice President for Global Marketing Planning at Hertz, responsible for global pricing, yield management, marketing information systems, and counter sales. He implemented the first decentralized yield management system in the car rental industry and a comprehensive Executive Information System (EIS) that gained national recognition. Following Hertz, Dr. Carroll served as the Global Vice President for Reed Elsevier’s Travel Group, which included responsibility for Travel Weekly, the Hotel and Travel Index, the Official Hotel Guide and the Official Meetings and Facilities Guide.

Bill Caruso (Denver)
President, William Caruso Associates, offering food facilities planning and design; master planning, operational/design space planning and programming; development and negotiation of catering contracts; and market and economic feasibility analyses. Litigation support services offered in the areas of F&B operations, design and construction.

Tony Castro (Amherst, NH)
Since 1994, Tony has been Principal of Castro & Associates, a Human Resources organization specializing in union avoidance, training, consulting and translations. His career encompasses some 35 years in general management, human resources and executive level consulting and training. He spent 18 years with Marriott Corporation, a majority of them in the Corporate Employee Relations Department, including five years as Director of Employee Relations where he was directly responsible for the non-union status of Marriott’s operations. He has participated in over 25 union campaigns, personally managing half, and never lost an election he directed. He also directed and won, by a 10–1 margin, Marriott’s first decertification election, and acted as spokesperson in contract negations with the Teamsters union. Tony has been associated with Positive Management Leadership Associates since 1997, and has participated in over 25 programs. He recently facilitated two programs for AMGEN, Inc., in Puerto Rico: “Union-Free Summit” for the Senior Management and “Positive Employee Relations” for the remainder of the management staff. Born and raised in San Juan, PR, Tony is fluent in Spanish.

Michael Chiu (San Francisco)
President and Owner, Prima Donna Development Corporation, offering large-scale mixed-use developments including infra-structure, hotels, restaurants, retail centers, office buildings, subdivisions and apartment buildings. Extensive international experience in development, construction and management of upscale hotels in Malaysia, Fiji, Singapore and the U.S.

Jack Clark (Ithaca, NY)
Professor Emeritus and Dean Emeritus of the Cornell Hotel School. Dr. Clark has conducted seminars world-wide in hospitality education, tourism, and hospitality property and asset management. He has served as a consultant to many hospitality related companies including IBM, Marriott Corporation, Northwestern Mutual Insurance Co., Guiness Peat Group Ltd., the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Group, and the Inter Pacific Co. He has served as a member of the Advisory Council of the Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) and initiated a new course in International Development at Cornell.

Jim Cohee (DelRay Beach, FL)
President of The Assets Development Group, which specializes in the physical and operational restructuring of hospitality properties for profitability. Jim’s background includes opening and/or managing hotels, resorts, multi-unit properties, major convention hotels and ski resorts. He has re-opened or managed bankrupt or failing hotels, resorts and residential properties and brought them back to profitability, including the Five-star Boca Raton Resort and Club and the 6,000-unit Boca West Community, in which he handled the real estate sales and sold all 90 new units during a recessionary period. Jim also redeveloped a resort in the Florida Keys, taking it to Four-star status and adding 350 resort/residential units after gaining challenging, multi-agency approvals to do so. During the last economic downturn, he took over the Palm-Aire for the Resolution Trust Corporation, a federal “workout” agency; this 6,000-unit community included five golf courses, two country clubs, major tennis and spa facilities and a Four-star resort hotel, all in very poor condition. In 18 months time he turned around a $1 million negative cash flow and showed a $1 million positive cash flow.

Robert Cole (Milwaukee)
Founder of RockCheetah, a travel marketing and technology consultancy, Robert offers more than 30 years of hospitality industry experience. High profile positions held have included: Vice President, Destination Experience for Mark Travel; Vice President, Hotel & Car for Cendant TDS; Director, Hotel Distribution for Sabre; and, Corporate Director of Marketing Planning for Four Seasons Hotels. An expert in Internet travel marketing and distribution systems, Robert helps clients with a wide array of marketing and technology challenges from branding strategy to Web 2.0 technologies and social media, to third party XML interfaces. Robert has played an integral role in launching several innovative travel products such as dynamic packaging, Hoteligence competitive set reporting, and Direct Request sales.

Tim Cole (Boston)
Over his 25+ year hospitality industry career, Tim has served in corporate, property-level, academic and consulting roles in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Equally comfortable in operations and asset management settings, his strengths lie in the areas of food and beverage and financial management. Tim’s comprehensive background includes administering large resort communities anchored by upscale branded hotels and directing international and domestic operations for properties operated under long-term management agreements. His permanent and interim management experience at the property level includes positions with hotels, country clubs and restaurants. Tim is also a licensed real estate salesperson with significant experience in master community association management.

Chuck Conine (Palm Springs)
Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a hotel, restaurant and commercial foodservices human resources expert with 35 years of experience in hospitality employee/labor relations at Westin, Marriott and both regional and national restaurant companies. President of Hospitality HR Solutions hospitality industry-focused HR consulting network. Examples of consulting services offered: HR needs in hotel/restaurant property openings, closings and downsizing; HR policies; mergers and acquisitions HR issues; building HR strategic plans; avoiding discrimination and wage/hour lawsuits; money-saving HR, insurance and related synergy programs; manager coaching and counseling; HR services for private equity and public company owners; employee and labor relations assistance, including labor contract negotiation and administration, and maintaining union-free status; employee benefits and compensation; employee rewards programs. Chuck is available to serve as HR expert in employment litigation. He also serves the travel industry as a city-appointed commissioner at Palm Springs International Airport and as a regular feature contributor for Smith Travel Research’s daily online publication Hotel News Now. Group Leader of Cayuga’s Employee and Labor Relations Group.

Scott Cooper (Palm Desert, CA)
Senior executive in the gaming industry, with 30 years experience in land-based, riverboat, racino and Native American casinos, from General Manager for individual properties, to COO providing multi-property oversight. Particular expertise in: casino start-up and expansion projects, having opened nine start-up operations in six jurisdictions; improving underperforming casino profit margins; and growing property revenue market share. Expertise includes all aspects of casino operations, including management performance evaluations, marketing, staffing, turnaround transitional management, and strategic planning.

Blake Cullen (Norfolk)
President of Admiral Management Company, based in Norfolk, Virginia. Consulting services to professional and amateur sports organizations, including: franchise evaluation, buying-selling brokerage, executive search, marketing and promotions, arena lease structuring and negotiation, arbitration, and speeches and seminars. Founder and former owner/operator of the Hampton Roads Admirals franchise in the East Coast Hockey League; 11 years with the Chicago Cubs, involved in all phases of club management; former VP and Administrator of the National Baseball League.

Chekitan Dev (Ithaca, NY)
Associate professor of marketing and brand management at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. An active consultant, seminar leader, keynote speaker and expert witness, Dr. Dev has worked with brands in over 35 countries on 5 continents including Disney, Rosewood, Westin, Marriott, InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Crystal Cruise Lines, DeVere, Moevenpick, Peninsula, Jumeirah, Taj, Ritz-Carlton Bali, Four Seasons Mumbai, and Posadas. Dr. Dev has presented at events organized by several international organizations and been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, TIME, USA Today, on NBC Nightly News and National Public Radio.

Duncan Dickson (Orlando)
Dr. Dickson has over 30 years of hospitality experience with more than 20 in human resources management; much of it at the executive level. He spent many years with the Walt Disney World, Co. as Director of Casting, leading the staffing effort in opening three theme parks and 14 hotels. Duncan was also instrumental in developing the "Disney Keys" program for the Disney Institute. Prior to working with Disney, he held executive positions as Vice President of Staffing for Kelly Services and Director of International Staffing for Vistana (now Starwood Vacation Ownership). As an Assistant Professor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Duncan has continued his interest in HR with both his teaching and research. His primary teaching responsibilities are in Human Resources Management, Communications, Guest Service Management and Theme Park Management. Dr. Dickson also researches and publishes in these areas.

Mike DiCillo (Las Vegas)
An independent casino design specialist and graphic designer, Michael is an accomplished design veteran with over 15 years of slot and gaming industry focus. As a senior gaming floor design consultant for International Game Technology (IGT), his specialized skills and expertise in gaming, casino marketing graphics, spatial design and AutoCAD application resulted in significant competitive advantages for the company in marketing, customer service and sales. Having successfully contributed to the design and development of numerous gaming floors for casino operators that include Pinnacle Entertainment, Cannery Casino Resorts, Penn National Gaming and Delaware North Companies, Mike is recognized by gaming executives and publications as a valuable resource for issues related to casino design. His graphic design background is well versed as he has won “Best of Category” awards for Art Direction in the screen printing industry and his casino marketing graphics have been effectively used in casinos across North America for many years.

Stefan Diedrichs (Brussels, Belgium)
Managing Director, Othello Hotel Projects BVBA, specializing in procurement of Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) and project management for hotel openings in Europe and the Middle East. Fifteen years of experience with European and American construction companies, interior designers, owners and operators (Hyatt, Conrad, Marriott, RadissonSAS, Accor). Focus on 4- and 5-Star properties. Fluent in English, French, German and Dutch.

Nancy Dougenik (Duxbury, MA)
President of Jutras Nobili Dougenik Interior Design (JND), based in Duxbury, MA. Established in 1962 as a premier hotel and restaurant design firm, JND has completed over 200 major hotel projects worldwide, and is now considered one of the most successful interior design firms in the industry. JND’s areas of specialty include: interior design for hotels, nightclubs and restaurants; and, design of public spaces, function rooms, conference centers, retail stores, golf clubhouses, grill rooms, locker facilities and spa & health club facilities. Nancy has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality design business and is an expert in all aspects of interior/design-architecture from space planning through FF&E installation, as well as in sales & marketing, business management/accounting, and strategic planning/brand identity.

Michael Doyle (Boston)
Vice President of Operations for Capital Hotel Management LLC, with over 25 years of experience in operating and developing first-class hotels and resort golf properties.  Served as President of Willowbend Golf Management, specializing in the operation and development of resort golf properties: under his oversight, the company grew their management portfolio from 54 holes at two properties to 189 holes of first-class golf at seven properties. More than 20 years of hotel operations experience, serving as General Manager of world-class luxury properties including: The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, MA; the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center in Boston, MA; the Hotel Millennium in New York, NY; the UN Plaza – Park Hyatt Hotel in New York, NY; Le Pavilion Hotel in Stamford, CT; and, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York, NY. He also held various management positions with the Four Seasons Hotels in Toronto and Houston.

Carroll “Duke” Dubuc (Fairfax, VA)
President of Carroll Dubuc & Associates, P.C.; an attorney offering services in mediation and arbitration of disputes, facilitation for training in mediation and/or strategic planning as well as legal consultation, investigation, jury selection and expert witness testimony. Forty years of experience as a civil trial lawyer in NY, DC and VA representing airlines, aircraft manufactureres/component manufactures, insurance companies, hotel chains, banks and other lawyers. Served as Outside Counsel to three international airlines in litigation, and corporate and regulatory matters. Also served as an Outside Director and Corporate Secretary to U.S. Aviation Underwriter’s (USAIG) for several years.

Greg Dunn (Orlando)
Vice President and Director of Insights for Ypartnership, a worldwide advertising, public relations and marketing services company headquartered in Orlando. Responsible for composing, managing implementation and interpretation of marketing research authored by Ypartnership. Also plays an active role in the development of brand strategy. More than 20 years of experience in various industry discpilines working in both management and marketing positions with the Sea Island Company, The Boca Raton Resort and Club, The Greenbriar, Radisson, Sea Palms Resort, the Walt Disney Company and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Also serves as an associate professor in the School of Hotel and Restaurtant Management at the University of South Florida, specializing in teaching and research in the areas of consumer behavior, strategic management, gaming and tourism.

Nathan Egan (Philadelphia)
Nathan Egan is recognized as the creator and definitive authority on the business practice of “freesourcing”. His consultancy, the Freesource Agency, LLC delivers customized freesourcing programs to help companies leverage web-based, Social Media + Web 2.0 platforms to drive efficiency through their organization and build better connectivity with their best prospects and customers. Prior to starting his own consulting practice, Nathan was one of the top sales executives at the world’s largest and most powerful business networking site, LinkedIn, which is where he developed his passion and expertise for applying Social Media to business. He is a 2002 graduate of the Cornell Hotel School and recently earned his MBA in Business Technology Optimization from Villanova University’s School of Business while working fulltime for the Autonomy, Inc. (the global leader in Enterprise Search Technology). Nathan has over 15 years of sales, marketing and operations experience in the technology and hospitality industries. To learn more about Nathan, view his professional profile on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter.

Bill Eberhardt (Skaneateles, NY)
An independent hotelier and President of Dining Associates, Inc., operators of upscale hotels, country inns, B&Bs and restaurants in Central New York and the Finger Lakes Region. Owner of the landmark Sherwood Inn in the Village of Skaneateles. Operator of the Packwood House in Skaneateles, the Hobbit Hollow Farm Bed & Breakfast overlooking Skaneateles Lake, the Village Inn, the Bluewater Grills in Skaneateles and Syracuse, and the Colgate Inn in Hamilton. Has owned and/or operated 17 inns and restaurants, provided corporate catering at the Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid, managed a wine garden for New York wineries at the New York State Fair and hosted a governor and a president.

Dick Erb (Park City, UT)
President, The Erb Group,specializing in 5-Star resorts  development, operations, interim management, marketing, environmental and recreational planning. Extensive experience in Caribbean; 27 years operating Rockresorts (Caneel Bay, Mauna Kea, Williamsburg Inn, etc.). 1986 “American Resort Executive of the Year.”

Leif Evensen (Oslo, Norway)
A Cayuga Managing Director, offering feasibility studies, project planning and development, as well as operational analysis and trouble-shooting for hotel, restaurant and cruise-line owners & operators in Europe and the Middle-East. Fluent in: Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, English, French & German.

Cecelia Fanelli (New York)
Partner of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, resident in the New York office. Over three decades of experience in complex litigation and dispute resolution, practicing across the country in federal and state trial and appellate courts, and in arbitration, mediation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Practice focuses on commercial litigation relating to the banking, real estate and hotel industries, and she handles major litigation for a variety of clients who are significant players in the hotel industry. Represents such clients domestically and internationally, and they run the gamut from owners of hotels to lenders, franchisees and franchisers. Experience extends over a wide range of areas, including Antitrust; Business and Contract; Commercial, Financial and Banking; Franchise and Distribution; and Intellectual Property. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, she attended Cornell Law School. She graduated from Cornell, where she was an Editor of the Cornell Law Review.

Bill Fisher (Washington, DC)
The Darden Chair in the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. A former CEO of the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association he is the recipient of numerous awards including the CHRIE Educator of the Year, the Michael E. Hurst Award for Educational Excellence, and is a Diplomate of the National Restaurant Association's Educational Foundation. An author and noted speaker, he serves on corporate boards in concert with his consulting assignments. A former U.S. Air Force Officer, he is a graduate of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration.

Liv Gussing (Asia-Pacific)
Extensive operational experience in luxury properties around the world. Background in rooms, human resources and training. Specializing in opening new hotels and resorts in the U.S., Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and Africa.

Nick Hadgis (Philadelphia)
Dean of the School of Hospitality Management of Widener University. Recipient of the Howard B. Meek Award for outstanding leadership and service to the field of hospitality education. Advises educational institutions nationally and internationally on hospitality management programs. Lectures on management and strategic planning for the hospitality and tourism industry.

David Hanlon (Las Vegas/Reno)
Chairman, Empire Gaming. Highly experienced senior level executive: Rio Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas; Merv Griffin’s Resorts International properties in Atlantic City and the Bahamas; Harrah’s Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City; and Caesars World Incorporated. Former President of International Game Technology, the world’s leading manufacturer of microprocessor based gaming machines.

John Harney (Salisbury, CT)
Founder of Harney & Sons, Master Tea Blenders, based in Salisbury, CT and operated with sons Paul and Michael. The company was founded in 1983 and first run out of the Harney family basement, then expanded into the garage. Now housed in a 89,000 square foot warehouse in Millerton, NY, the company blends, packs and ships high-end teas around the world.

Gary Henkin (Rockville. MD)
President of WTS International, one of the world's leading leisure consulting and management firms providing conceptual planning, feasibility studies, design consultation, pre-opening preparation and daily operations/management services for spas, fitness centers, athletic facilities and leisure complexes around the world. Clients include hotels and resorts, luxury high-rise residential sites, free-standing athletic clubs, office and mixed-use projects and both multi-family and master-planned community developments. Corporate Headquarters located in Rockville, MD, with offices in Torrance, CA and Dubai.

John Hurley (Memphis)
President of John A. Hurley & Associates, specializing in feasibility studies and concept development for small luxury hotels, boutique properties and country inns. Extensive experience in hotel development, franchising and brand creation, as well as multi-unit hotel ownership and management.

Charles Ilvento (Miami)
CPA, CHA, CHAE, Real Estate Broker and member of the AH&LA’s Committee on Financial Management; Founding Professor of Florida International University’s School of Hotel Management; owner of a CPA practice specializing in the hospitality industry; and third-generation hospitality industry professional. Charles is a court-qualified expert, mediator, arbitrator and hospitality industry consultant offering broad expertise as a CPA and/or economist either individually or as part of an expert team. Cayuga’s Advisory Services for Clubs Group Leader.

Neel Inamdar (Washington, DC)
Partner, Hospitality Sustainability Solutions, assisting hotels and resorts in becoming more sustainable. Services include: providing sustainability assessments, developing sustainability strategies, assisting in implementation and organizational roll out, developing sustainability marketing and communications strategies, and team management and development. Over 20 years experience developing, financing, operating and marketing hospitality projects in East Africa and the US, including all-inclusive resorts, luxury safari camps and community ecolodges. Worked closely with some of the worlds largest international conservation organizations, community groups and corporations to bridge the gap between tourism and conservations in some of the poorest, yet bio-diversely rich regions of the world. Senior Advisor on Ecotourism for Conservation International in Washington, DC, responsible for the leadership and restructuring of their ecotourism program. Former Executive Director for the African Conservation Centre in Kenya. Languages: English, Kiswahili & French.

Deke Kastner (Granite Bay, CA)
Founding Partner of Interim Club Management, providing owners, boards and committees of golf courses, country clubs and private clubs with the club industry knowledge, expertise, resources and direction needed to manage transition. Deke’s 27-year career within the hospitality, food & beverage and club industries has included managerial positions with Le Mondrain Hotel in Los Angeles, Harvey Hotels, the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Milepost Industries, where he served as VP Operations, overseeing multi-unit profit centers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For the past 12 years he has served as GM & COO for both The University Club of San Francisco and Catta Verdera Country Club, northern California’s only 4 1/2 Star semi-private country club as rated by Golf Digest. Deke’s areas of expertise include financial analysis, member relations, team building, operational analysis, marketing, food & beverage operations and business growth.

Bill Keithan (Seattle)
President J.W.K. Hospitality Industry Consultant; over 30 years with Westin Hotels in various planning, operations, services and development positions, specializing in design, interior design and construction. Extensive international experience. Educator and education administrator.

Harry Keller (Tucson)
As the first Director of Alumni Affairs for Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration from 1977 to 2000, Keller developed an infrastructure of alumni support second to none. With 60 chapters worldwide, 8000 members (2/3 of whom pay annual dues), and over 140 volunteers, the Cornell Hotel Society provides ongoing financial, program and networking assistance to the School and its faculty, staff, students and alumni. Keller has been an active, highly successful fundraiser for the School for over 20 years. He has also assisted other hospitality schools with alumni/ development efforts. Keller is a Managing Director for Cayuga.

Dick Kennedy (Pittsburgh)
President of R. H. Kennedy Company, based in Pittsburgh, PA, and specializes in leveraged buyouts of food industry related companies with emphasis on food processing companies. His experience in sales, marketing, distribution, finance and business development has ranged over a wide assortment of food categories, especially in the foodservice segment. Career positions have included Managing Director of WesCap Holdings, LP, a leveraged buyout firm; Senior VP of Sales and Marketing for L. J. Minor Company, a Nestle subsidiary; General Manager of New Products and Acquisitions and numerous other positions over 20 years for Heinz; Marketing Director for Gino's, the fast food hamburger chain which was also the largest KFC franchisee; and Owner/Operator of five family restaurants.

Sam Kryger (Cortland, NY)
VP Operations for Hope Lake Investors, Cortland, NY, a family-operated resort at Greek Peak Ski Resort, undergoing major development, including the addition of: a large condo hotel, an indoor water park, an international spa, a fitness facility, and a themed restaurant. Exceptional hotel/resort management background including: VP of Operations for Vista Hospitality, very successful with hotel repositionings: GM for Winegardner & Hammons full-service hotel in Syracuse; GM & Project Director at Deer Run Resort, a four-season ski resort and timeshare condo/motel property in Stamford, NY.

Shelly La Motte  (Frederick, MD)
With over 20 years of diverse hospitality consulting experience, including positions with two international CPA firms, Shelly’s expertise includes: development and acquisition-related market and financial analysis; valuation; strategic planning; operations analysis; impact analysis; quality assurance evaluation; litigation support; hotel operator selection; management contract/franchise negotiations; financial analysis including market repositioning and other value enhancement strategies; acquisitions and dispositions; financing; and, asset management.  She has handled assignments in Brazil, Chile, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Australia, as well as throughout the U.S.

Tom Lattin (Houston)
CPA and Managing Director of his consultancy, Lattin & Associates and a Professor at the Conrad N. Hilton College in Houston, teaching accounting, finance and advanced lodging management courses. Background includes positions with: PricewaterhouseCoopers, Patriot American Hospitality, Paine Webber, Coopers & Lybrand, and Laventhol & Horwath. Specializing in: litigation support and expert witness testimony dealing with hospitality industry financial issues and management contracts, procurement of debt and equity and other investment banking services including merger and acquisition; operational studies and reviews, management audits and profit improvements; and, asset management services.  Cayuga Regional Director for South Central U.S.

Joe Lavin (Washington, DC)
President of HarborStone Hospitality, an entrepreneurial venture to develop and own hotels while providing general consulting in the hospitality industry. Career focus has been hotel development, franchising and brand creation through the initiation and management of change. While with Marriott, spearheaded the creation of the company’s newest brand, Springhill Suites and was instrumental in the development and rollout of the Fairfield Inn, “New Blue” revitalization strategy.  While with Marriott ExecuStay, created the corporate housing industry’s first franchise program. A frequent guest lecturer at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration (SHA) on the subjects of hotel development, strategy and leadership. Participates on the advisory board of SHA’s newly formed Institute for Entrepreneurship.

Rob Leahy (Lake Worth, FL)
EVP - Finance, Myriad Entertainment & Resorts. Extensive experience in core business functions including finance, information technology and process improvement. Ten years with the Atlantis Resort & Casino on Paradise Island, The Bahamas: served as Director of Accounting; Director of Operational Analysis; VP Finance; and VP & Director of Process Improvement and Reengineering. Led key corporate improvement projects including Sarbanes-Oxley compliance for IT, business infrastructure process improvement, and the Customer Relationship Management System selection process.

Chris LeSourd (Seattle)
President, LeSourd Associates, Inc., offering 35 years experience as a manager and executive in foodservice and restaurants, chains and independents. Consulting services include feasibility and financial evaluations, market and operational analyses, valuations, concept and project development or strategic repositioning, litigation support and expert witness testimony. Cayuga’s Litigation Support Group Leader.

Henry Lieberman (Ashton, MD)
President, Advanced Motion Technologies. Formerly President of Inter-United & China Global Advisors, providing international development, financing, equity ventures, and management specializing in China and Indonesia with cross cultural investment, government facilitation and political relations.

Anne Loehr (Washington, DC)
Co-creator, Hospitality Sustainability Solutions, guiding hotels and resorts to become more sustainable. Services include: providing sustainability assessments, developing sustainability strategies, assisting in implementation and organizational roll out, and developing sustainability marketing and communications strategies. Owned and operated international eco-friendly hotels and tour companies for over 15 years. Extensive experience in Africa and the Caribbean, including: marketing and collaborating with tourism boards, governments, international donors, large hotel chains and indigenous communities to create sustainable destination management. A Certified Executive Coach and author of “A Manager’s Guide to Coaching”, with 5 years experience coaching hospitality CEOs and senior management. Languages: English, Kiswahili and French.

Mike Lukianoff - (NYC & Tampa)
Mr. Lukianoff has more than twenty years of hospitality industry experience and a Masters Degree from Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration. His experience includes a decade of consulting to dozens of the world’s largest chain restaurant companies, and more than a decade of food service operations. As President of Revenue Management Solutions North America, he oversaw the company’s domestic Revenue Management & Pricing consultancy and developed new approaches to restaurant site selection and promotional analysis. He is currently the President of Czar Capital Inc., an investment and advisory company specializing in leveraging cutting edge technology and consumer research in the services industry to enhance executive decisions.

Walker Lunn (Washington, DC)
Founder of EnviRelation, LLC, a leading company providing food and organic composting services to hospitality and food service businesses. International experience in consulting and project management. Areas of expertise include in hospitality greening and sustainability issues, project planning, business development and operations, regulatory compliance, new markets development, sales and marketing, negotiations, and feasibility. Frequent speaker, panelist, and expert witness.

Jim Macaulay (Nova Scotia)
Associate Professor in the Department of Business Administration and Tourism and Hospitality Management at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, teaching HR management, strategic management and F&B management. Runs Hospitalit-eTraining Inc., a consulting firm involved with technology development for the hospitality industry. Over 20 years consulting for a broad range of hospitality clients in Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean and Asia; extensive experience with the Cuban Hospitality Industry. Offering 35 years of F&B management experience in virtually every hands-on position, from Chief Steward, Bartender, F&B Director to owning an off-site catering business and a flight kitchen for Air Canada. Offering services in: HR training and development; the development of learning management systems (LMS); F&B training (controls, HR, wines); and, competency based training.

Richard Manzolina (Alexandria, VA)
A Senior Engineering/Facilities Executive with 18 years hospitality industry experience, specializing in helping owners and operators realize the full potential of their physical assets and engineering operations. Adept in dramatically improving property appearance, operating efficiency, expense margins, and asset longevity through pragmatic execution of maintenance programming and capital reinvestment. Property level positions have included: Director of Engineering for the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD; Director of Property Operations for both the Capital Hilton Hotel and the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center; and, Senior Assistant Director of Property Operations for the Waldorf Astoria. At the corporate level, Richard acted as the Property Operations Cluster Lead Engineer for Hilton Hotels Corporation, leading a group of 17 engineering executives among five hotel brands across all market segments, from economy to 4-diamond. Richard has consulted for several lodging facilities in the area of facility maintenance, standards compliance and execution, and energy conservation. He is also a regular guest lecturer at the Cornell Hotel School.

Art Marshall (Portland, ME)
Senior Manager, Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, leading the hospitality consulting division of this Public Accounting and Management Consulting Firm. His focus is upon strategic planning and business consulting including preparation of budgets, projections, marketing plans, cost control strategies, yield management enhancements, debt restructuring strategies, and long term strategic and capital planning. Art conducts business valuation engagements in all industry areas, including estate planning and merger and acquisition consulting and support. Prior to joining Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker in 1999, he enjoyed a 20-year operational career in the hotel and restaurant industry including general management positions with firms such as Hilton, Holiday Inns and Best Western and 12 years in the lodging aspect of the ski resort industry.

John Meeske (Bellaire, MI)
CEO of Resorts & Clubs, Inc, a consulting, investment banking and marketing firm focused on repositioning, refinancing and reengineering destination resorts, country clubs, “resort country clubs,” leisure and primary real estate projects. With more than 35 years of direct experience in the industry, John’s professional career has largely been focused on the ownership, management, marketing, financing and repositioning of troubled destination resorts, country clubs, sports facilities and leisure real estate projects. He is particularly skilled in repositioning properties to attract a broader market by creating a destination resort atmosphere. His areas of concentration have included golf, ski, tennis, conference and marina resorts, resort clubs, resort development projects, sports facilities, athletic clubs and destination restaurants at a variety of market levels. John is the former Director of the Center for Resort & Club Business, which he helped create for the Reeves School of Business at Methodist College, and is presently serving as the school’s Executive in Residence.

Bill Melvin (Cincinnati)
Twenty-three years service as a Magistrate for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court in Cincinnati; an Attorney licensed in Ohio and the District of Columbia. Bill’s background in food & beverage operations includes: owning and operating The Catering Kitchens, which catered events of up to 1000 people; managing multiple Magic Pan Creperie locations; and, F&B comptroller training with the Washington Hilton Hotel. He offers consulting services in operations analysis of F&B properties, including multi-property situations, as well as mystery guest ratings, quality service assurance, total quality management, litigation support and mediation.

Rudy Meunster (Berlin)
A Managing Director of Cayuga and Managing Partner of RWM Hotel Consult GmbH, founded in 1980 and active in 45 countries on four continents. Services provided include: feasibility studies (IFC, EU and others); privatization efforts (especially in Slovenia, Morocco for UNDP, Tanzania and Germany); hotel development, executive search and asset management for hotel owners and real estate companies in Germany, Slovenia, the U.S. and France. Fluent in German, English, French, Spanish, Italian and Indonesian.

Phil Miller (Ithaca, NY)
Managing Director, Philippus Miller III & Associates LLC, a full service executive search firm serving hospitality entities worldwide with researching and identifying, negotiating with and assisting clients in retaining highly qualified managers and executives. Miller’s 20-plus years of international hospitality industry experience gives him a comprehensive understanding of, and unparalleled connections within, the industry. As Director of Alumni Affairs for Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration (and Secretary of its alumni association, the Cornell Hotel Society) from 1993-2004, he directed all operations of the most active alumni association in the world, with particular expertise in public relations, communications (both Web and print-based), loyalty programs, customer service, association management, and networking.

Maurice Minno (Palm Springs)
President of the MPM Consulting Group, and a subject matter expert in the food service business. Provides hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail and contract food service businesses expertise in: innovating food and specialty beverage retail concepts, including concept design and brand imagery development, using architecture, retail design and graphics; ‘bringing to life’ creative new menus, products and entire fresh food and beverage programs; diagnosing multi-unit foodservice operations, followed by implementing comprehensive improvement go-forward action plans; fresh approaches to marketing, operations processes and efficiency improvement solutions; strategic vendor sourcing, vendor management and supply chain logistics planning; creating business strategy, brand sense, vision and forward planning; and identification, analysis and opportunistic development of new customer and market opportunities. Litigation support services/expert witness testimony in areas specifically dealing with branding, supply chain, marketing and category management. Extensive 30 year background in hospitality food service consulting and senior management of the food and beverage, marketing and brand development functions of leading, large, multi-unit food service companies including Starbucks Coffee Company, BP and AMPM, Circle K, Wawa Inc., and Marriott Corporation.

Stacy Moore (Portsmouth, NH)
Cayuga’s Food & Beverage Advisory Services Group Leader and President of Stacy Moore & Associates, a consulting firm offering business planning, project management, operations analysis, market research services and strategic counsel to food and foodservice related companies. Twenty-eight years of industry experience including seven years with The Hale Group, a leading food industry strategic planning firm. Project work includes brand development in QSR and non-traditional venues - from concept through operations development and into strategic partnerships, licensing, franchising, or other growth strategies. Stacy and her associates also work extensively with food, beverage and packaging manufacturers in developing products and strategies to meet the needs of specific customers (national accounts) or for the marketplace in general. Also offered are litigation support services in F&B, especially issues involving technology, food manufacturing, marketing and franchising. “Green” services offered, including: identification of vendors offering green/sustainable products; identification of best practices in “going green” in F&B operations; educating and assisting product lines to meet operators’ ‘green’ needs; and, assisting in product development efforts to reformulate existing products to become “green.”

Bob Moses (Syracuse and San Francisco)
A graduate of Georgetown University (B.S.S., 1958) and Georgetown University Law School (J.D., 1960), and a former Partner in the law firm of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC, where he assisted clients with projects requiring private and public participation to advance economic development. These projects included commercial real estate issues and government incentives, and more recently, concentration in the hospitality industry, energy and the environment. Bob has over 30 years of experience representing clients before the New York State Legislature, the Governor’s Office and various state regulatory agencies. He was involved in obtaining New York State assistance related to Economic Development. He served for more than 25 years as a member of the New York State Economic Development Council and for several years as Chairman of the State Legislative Committee of that Council. Bob is: a Trustee of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry of the State University of New York; a Board Director of the Audubon Society of New York; Director of the Onondaga County Bar Foundation; a Former Trustee for the New York Power Authority; a Trustee of the New York State Industrial Exhibit Authority; a member of the Board of Regents for Le Moyne College; a member of the Board of Governors for Georgetown University; and, a member of the Advisory Board for the New York Sports Academy at Lake Placid.

Steve Murphy (Las Vegas)
Over 25 years experience in the technology and operational arena. Steve's background includes software development experience with both GTE and Lotus/IBM. Senior level operational positions with Hyatt Hotels, MGM Mirage, Wynn Resorts, and the Cosmopolitan Resort and Casino.  Steve has managed over two hundred different applications required to run operations for a $10 Billion publicly held company. In doing so he was responsible for successfully negotiating all contracts and support agreements for the organization. He has both Six Sigma and PMI background experience with property opening experience at Bellagio, Beau Rivage, Fallsview, and the Cosmopolitan Resort. Steve serves on the Board of Directors for Hospitality and Gaming Magazine and the Gaming Summit Group. He has also served on the Hospitality and Technology advisory board.

Jerry Najman (Dominican Republic)
General Manager of the new Casino Dominicus in the Dominican Republic. Twenty-five years’ hands-on casino opening and operations experience in Nevada, the Caribbean and South America. Served as General Manager/Vice President/Director of Casino Operations of seven major Caribbean or Native American casinos and played integral roles in the grand opening and/or complete renovation of eight major casino projects. Also served as a consultant to Cirsa International, Wyndham International and Hilton International.  Litigation support services offered in the area of casino operations.

Roger Newill (Virginia Beach)
President of Roger Fulton Newill, Architect, a firm specializing in hospitality and resort development and architecture, particularly in public/private cooperative projects. Founded HENV Architects (now HEWV) in Norfolk, Virginia, and acted as chairman of Virginia Beach's Resort Area Advisory Commission.

Mark Newton (Atlanta)
Program Director of the Hotel/ Restaurant/Tourism Management Program at Gwinnett Technical College, Atlanta. Dr. Newton combines over 15 years of teaching with over 30 years of hospitality management and consulting experience with companies such as Marriott, PKF, etc. President of Newton’s LAW (Learning, Achieving and Winning), focusing on improving

Mac Noden (Amelia Island, FL)
The former Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Information Systems, Strategy and Tourism (MISST) at Cornell’s Hotel School and a well-known expert in the areas of tourism policy, promotion and development. Served as the Academic Director of the Cornell Hotel School Advanced Management Program, and the Certified Corporate Travel Executive (CCTE) accreditation program on behalf of the U.S. National Business Travel Association (NBTA). He is a past Chair of the Education Committee of the Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA), and a founding member of the Educators Forum of the U.S. Travel & Tourism Research Association (TTRA). He is a founding member and serves on the editorial board of TEOROS International, a theoretical research journal for education and tourism, and is a founding member of, and immediate past Cornell representative to, the Educational and Training Board of the World Tourism Organization. A Managing Director of Cayuga Hospitality Advisors, Noden is also the leader of its Tourism Consulting Services Group.

Clement Nyamongo (Kenya, Africa)
Served for 23 years in the Kenya Tourism Department, rising to Senior Assistant Director of Tourism, including five years as Director of the Kenya Tourist Office and Counsel General for Kenya in Frankfurt, Germany. Exceptional experience in tourism development, sustainable tourism, eco-tourism, environmental management, wildlife conservation, market research and tour operations, as well as hotel and restaurant operations. Founder and Managing Director of TourHot (TourismHotel) Management Consultants Limited, specializing in tourism development and promotion, IT and e-commerce business development, and hotel/resort/restaurant classification and Quality Service Assurance programs.

Kevin O’Donnell (Grafton, VT)
Principal, Llenroc Consulting, specializing in Country Inns, Bed and Breakfasts, Restaurants, Small Hotels and Non-Profits with hospitality interests. Vice President and Innkeeper of The Old Tavern at Grafton in Grafton, Vermont, a 46-room historic property owned and operated by the Windham Foundation, Vermont’s largest non-profit foundation (which also owns several other for profit businesses including the Grafton Village Cheese Company). Oversees a multi-million dollar business, responsible for all marketing and public relations for the property in this historic community. Serves as Chair of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and First Vice Chair of the Vermont Lodging and Restaurant Association.

Allen Ostroff (New York)
Principal, Hotel Dynamics, consulting in asset management, repositioning strategy and financial engineering. Responsible for Sonesta Hotel’s development program, which includes direct purchase, joint venture acquisitions and management contract opportunities. Previous experience includes positions as: Managing Director and Head of Hospitality and Investment Banking at Prudential Securities; Managing Director and Hotel Portfolio Director of Prudential Realty Group; Group Vice President of Americana Hotels; and General Manager of the New York Hilton at Rockefeller Center.

Jim Petzing (Sebastian, FL)
Over 30 years of private club management experience, including the 2500-member Atlanta Athletic Club and the 3000-member National Republican Club on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Past President, Club Managers Association of America. Consulting in: club project planning, development, openings and operations; contract foodservice operations; special event planning and operations; retirement facilities planning and operations; and speeches and seminars.

Giuseppe Pezzotti (Ithaca, NY)
A Senior Lecturer at the Cornell Hotel School since 1984, teaching courses in foodservice management, etiquette and protocol. Regularly conducts executive education seminars around the world. After being awarded first prize at the Italian Hotel School, held foodservice positions on luxury liners of the Italian Line and the Swedish American Line, and at hotels and restaurants in Europe and the US.

Hans Pfister (San Jose, Costa Rica)
President of Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, based in Costa Rica, with Partner Andrea Bonilla, offering hospitality management and consulting with a focus on Sustainablity. High End Ecolodge / Sustainable Resort Operations and Marketing, Feasibility Analysis and Concept Development. Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica and Central America. Eight years operating world renowned Lapa Rios Ecolodge on the Osa Penninsula in Southern Costa Rica. Also opened and operated the Harmony Hotel and the Arenas del Mar, both in Costa Rica. Feasibility analysis, concept development and operation of Morgan's Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge in Nicaragua.

Mike Pleninger (Williamsburg, VA)
President, Newport Hospitality Group (NHG), a premier hotel management company dedicated to improving hotel performance through cost-effective operations, national marketing and purchasing programs, comprehensive training, and sales development at the local level. NHG also offers hotel planning, franchising and development services. Mike founded NHG in 1990 following 20 years experience in the hospitality industry, which included ten years as Senior VP and part owner of Victor Management Company of Newport News, VA  (now a part of Lane Hospitality). Prior, he held operations positions with Holiday Inns, Sonesta International Hotels, Omni Hotels and Registry Hotels. NHG prides itself on its ability to outperform the markets in which their hotels compete. Over the past three years, NHG hotels have increased their Hotels' RevPARs by 20.5 %, while their markets have increased only 11.0 %.

Leo Renaghan (Ithaca, NY)
Associate Professor of Services Marketing in the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. Consulting interests focus on issues associated with the creation and management of customer service value in service firms, especially international hotel and restaurant companies. Frequent lecturer and consultant to associations and companies in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia on topics related to customer value.

Eric Ricaurte (Washington DC)
Cayuga’s Ecotourism/Sustainable Tourism Group Leader and a consultant specializing in nature and culture tourism and sustainable tourism businesses, offering services in concept development, product implementation, feasibility, market analysis, operational analysis and tool building. Experiences include managing a rainforest lodge and tour operation in Costa Rica; managing operations at Xel-Há; serving on the operations committee for the parks of Xcaret, Xel-Há, and Garrafón in the Mexican Caribbean; and development, feasibility and implementation of nature tour operations and nature parks in Brazil. Co-creator of EnviRelationEmissions Management Services, which analyze carbon footprints of hospitality operations using sustainability reporting. Author of the novel The Costa Rican Dream. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, conversant in French.

Thomas Riegelman (Big Sky, MT)
Offering an extraordinary range of expertise in asset and operations management, with over 29 years at the corporate level, managing multi-unit hotel and resort operations. Tom is experienced in all phases of hotel and resort planning and construction, field operations support, staffing, product and design standards, “green” initiatives, technology, capital planning, project management, compliance, life safety, and energy and environmental policy. He spent 19 years with Hyatt Hotels Corporation as: VP of Technical Services, responsible for re-structuring and rebuilding Hyatt's Technical Services department; and, VP of Engineering, responsible for facility operations, maintenance and capital projects for all of Hyatt's hotel and resort properties in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Tom also served as a General Manager with the Prudential Realty Group, asset managing their $900M Northeast hotel portfolio. He has multi-faceted experience in hotel real estate transactions, acting as the operator, developer, investor and lender. After graduating from the Cornell Hotel School with a concentration in hotel planning and design, he earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago.

M. O. “Bus” Ryan (Atlanta)
Senior V.P. Emeritus, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, 35 years executive experience with Marriott; G.M. of company’s first, second and fifth properties; as Regional V.P., opened 36 full service Marriott Hotels and Resorts, including the 1800-room Atlanta Marriott Marquis, and properties throughout the U.S., in Bermuda and in Mexico. Past Chairman of the Board, American Hotel and Motel Association, 1993.

Michael Sansbury (Orlando)
Cayuga’s Development Consulting Group Leader, offering extraordinary experience with development, operations and strategic planning for upscale resorts, resort casinos and high-end hotels, including executive positions with Baha Mar Resorts, Loews Hotels, Mirage Resorts and Westin Hotels & Resorts. Also an expert in: capital investment planning; government affairs and community relations; casino management and operations; and, event planning and operations. Litigation support/expert witness testimony experience in the areas of operational liability and development issues.

Theo Seale (Bethesda, MD)
President, THEO Consultants, : assists financial institutions, investors, owners, operators, attorneys and accountants in the evaluation of hospitality real estate assets. THEO offers consulting services to corporate, REIT and individual owners and operators of hotels, motels, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, country and city clubs, restaurants and health clubs. Services include market and economic research, appraisals and valuations, litigation support and financial analyses.

Steve Sewell (Pinehurst)
President of Professional Golf Resources LLC, with over 20 years consulting experience leading U.S. and International golf facilities and related businesses toward successful futures with services in all phases of golf course development and operations, including: golf course site selection and preparation, permitting, fairway layout and design, facilities design, development planning, construction, interior design, design specification and purchasing, operations analysis, marketing, management, staffing and job description manuals. Steve has authored three books, one used by the PGA of America for use in its marketing and management program.

Steve Sherf (Minneapolis)
With over 30 years of operational and consulting experience, Steve is President of the Hospitality Consulting Group, providing analysis, valuation and brokerage services to the hospitality industry. He has prepared market studies and financial projections for all types of hotels in both large and small markets throughout the U.S. He has also worked on more than 150 gaming projects located in 27 states and three Canadian provinces. These projects include feasibility studies for both new and expanding casinos and racinos, market studies for casino amenities, business diversification studies, market share analysis under different competitive scenarios, and new market development potential assessments. Steve has particular expertise in lodging assessment, gaming demand modeling, financial projection modeling, and financial statement analysis. His broad background of consulting assignments for income producing real estate developments include market studies, valuations, appraisals, acquisitions and sales. A Certified Public Accountant (inactive), he has provided expert witness testimony relating to the valuation of hotels and restaurants as well as business interruption damages for casinos.

Jules Sieburgh  (Bethesda, MD)
Cayuga’s Hospitality Technology Consulting Services Group Leader and a visionary of creative technology applications for the hospitality industry. Visionary of creative technology applications for the hospitality industry. Served as senior information technology executive for Sonesta Hotels, InterContinental Hotels, Host Marriott Corporation and Kerzner International. Jules’ responsibilities for these international chains covered all aspects of technology as it relates to the hospitality industry. In addition Jules spent a couple of years with priceline.com expanding their hotel product line. Jules is a member of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professional’s International Hall of Fame.

Judy Siguaw (Ithaca, NY)
Associate Professor of Marketing, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration; specializing in marketing research, development of a corporate market orientation (customer and competitor orientations), and sales training.

Chuck Sipperly (Fort Meyers, FL)
Professional Engineer with over 20 years experience in hotel, resort and club development and expansion from concept planning to full responsibility for construction and preparation for opening. Services provided to hotel, resort, club and restaurant Engineering Departments include: conducting performance audits, budgeting, project planning and other engineering reviews; incorporating standards to meet green building codes; management and staff training; and, interim management (“Instant Director of Engineering”). Extensive experience in Caribbean.

David Southworth (Cape Cod)
President and CEO of Southworth Development LLC, based in Newton, MA, specializing in the development of residential resort & hospitality branded real estate communities. Extensive and unique experience in hospitality development and management, having developed over $1 billion in golf and hospitality projects during his career. Through his wholly owned subsidiaries, Southworth Golf Management, Southworth Golf Construction and Caribbean Turf Nursery, he is extremely active in the national golf community, and has served as manager, consultant or construction manager to 43 properties during the past 13 years.

Richard Stormont (Atlanta)
Managing Director, Stormont Noble Development, ("SND") offering development and investment services for fine hotels, conference centers and resorts. Services are tailored to meet the needs of each project and include financial, technical, development, renovation, project management, asset management and consulting. Focused on bringing its significant industry experience and expertise to add value to pre-development, development, redevelopment, refurbishing, repositioning and asset management of selected properties. SND specializes in difficult Public/Private financing structures.

Frank Stover (Chicago)
General Manager, The Chicago Club. Over 30 years experience managing private city clubs. Versed in organizational planning, budgeting, operations analysis, marketing, wine list development and staff training. Former President, National Club Association.

Jason Swanson (Raleigh)
A tourism policy and planning specialist providing assistance to public and private sector tourism organizations. Dr. Swanson earned a Masters of Management in Hospitality from the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and holds a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University’s College of Natural Resources. His expertise includes destination and project strategic planning, public policy development and advocacy, qualitative research methods, and public speaking. He is the co-author of Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (2008), a textbook used by tourism students around the world. Dr. Swanson’s consulting experience includes working for clients in the restaurant, hotel, country club, spa, convention center, marina, golf course, destination, and government sectors in over 45 markets throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Asia.

Dennis Sweeney (New York)
Retired Partner, Joseph Baum & Michael Whitemen co., offering consulting services in master planning for large multi-unit F&B projects, facilities design for upscale restaurants, and F&B operations analysis and improvement.

Derek Sylvester (Philadelphia)
Vice President of Development for Gulph Creek Hotels, founded in 1995 and recognized as one of the leading hotel management companies is Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. Gulph Creek offers services in the development, acquisition and management and asset management of first-class, full- and limited-service hotels with 100 to 400 rooms. Derek is an expert in the areas of market analysis and assessment of site location and market potential. His background includes positions with Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and he was a consultant with Pannell Kerr Forster as well as Restaurant Advisory Services. His consulting projects have included: the development of the Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, NJ and Castle Hill Inn & Resort in Newport, RI; as well as, the redevelopment of the Hotel Hershey and the Wyndham Bermuda Resort in Southampton, Bermuda.

Mary Tabacchi (Ithaca, NY)
Involved in the spa movement since the early 1980s, having been mentored by the Founders of Rancho La Puerta and Golden Door. As a Professor at Cornell’s Hotel School, successfully worked with the Founders of Canyon Ranch to further spa management education. Frequent speaker at spa conventions and currently President of the International Spa Association’s Education Foundation; served on the Association’s Board of Directors for numerous years. Advisor and consultant for spas throughout the world and author of numerous publications and studies regarding spa marketing, spa consumers and the spa business in general.

Jim Tennyson (Atlantic City)
Founder of XCEL Business Technologies,LLC, offering 30 years experience as a Senior IT Executive. Services include: aligning technology with business objectives; business process improvement; and application modernization. Background includes five years as the top IT Executive at the Trump Corporation, five years as Director of IT with Harrah's, as well as Senior IT Executive positions with CSC (Computer Science Corp.), AIG, IBM and Home State Holdings.

Dave Theophilus (Orlando)
President, DMT Hospitality Advisors, Inc., providing professional services for hotels, resorts, condominiums and apartments. Thirty years of experience in the hospitality field. Specializing in asset management and litigation support including expert witness testimony. Visit his web site at www.dmthosp.com. 

John Todia (Tampa,)
Founder, Hospitality Solutions Group, with over 35 years of operations and senior hospitality management experience. Consulting services include: hotel operations & multi-unit management; hotel property repositioning including franchise selection and contract negotiation; new hotel development including site selection, brand, market analysis, and all pre-opening activities; litigation and financial institution support; market studies and valuations; asset management; and interim management.

Thomas K. Tritschler (Munich, Germany)
CEO of Tritschler Associates and its subsidiary Sensible Hospitality with offices in Berlin and Munich. Specialiing in the marketing of luxury boutique hotels, Sensible Hospitality offers unparalleled and personalized support to fine independent hotels and resorts worldwide. Thomas has more than twenty years of operational experience in successfully managing international luxury hotels and resorts with some of the most acclaimed hotels and hotel companies in the world. Fluent in English and German, proficient in French.

Keith Underwood (Scottsdale)
Founding Partner of Interim Club Management, providing owners, boards and committees of golf courses, country clubs and private clubs with the club industry knowledge, expertise, resources and direction needed to manage transition. Keith offers 29 years experience managing some of America’s finest and most exclusive clubs, including: The Jupiter Island Club in Jupiter, Florida; The Club at Point O’ Woods in New York; Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey; The Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix; the Estancia Club in Scottsdale; and, Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West, Arizona. His areas of strength are providing financial analysis, operational analysis, team building and staff development. Keith is Group Leader of Cayuga’s Services for Country, City and Tennis Clubs Group.

Blair Vago (New York City)
Offering more than 20 years of experience as a hospitality controller/CFO. He began his career with large companies such as Hilton Hotels Corporation and Marriott and more recently has worked with start-up companies and entrepreneurs to assist them in preparing for initial public offerings and facilitating merger/acquisition integration. Vago holds a Master’s degree from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, a Certificate in Investment Banking from U.C.L.A. and is a licensed CPA.

Vic Weclew (Fort Lauderdale)
Consulting in Cayuga’s Casino Gaming Group, with over 20 years as a casino gaming executive and consultant with land-based, cruise line and riverboat casinos; operatively involved in the startup of over twenty successful casino operations. Well-versed in casino games/regulations; highly skilled and effective in budgeting, marketing, personnel selection, staff relations, equipment acquisition, floor plan layout, security and multi-property management.

Donna Wiesner Keene (Washington, DC)
President, BrainTrain, a Washington lobbyist who has held appointments in three Presidential Administrations, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Virginia legislature. Consults and lectures on the nexus between profit/growth and government affairs and works with governments on behalf of clients worldwide. Serves as Senior Fellow, Independent Women’s Forum; national board member, American Council of Young Political Leaders ; board, Bush Alumni Association; and, national advisory board, James Monroe Presidential Memorial Foundation.

Lindsay Wright (Cortland, NY)
Group Sales Director at Greek Peak Mountian Resort, a 4-Star, year-round destination resort in the final stages of a $40 million expansion. Ten years management experience with the Pine Barn Inn in Danville, PA: as Banquet and Restaurant Manager, handled the daily operations for the restaurant & catering facility of this busy Inn, including: managing the budget; managing and training the staff; developing the menu; maintaining the property's Web site; and, implementing on-line ordering for the restaurant. Promoted to Sales Coordinator for the property, responsible for: sales forecasting and execution of their comprehensive business plan; marketing of the Inn and its facilities; community representation; group and wedding planning and guestroom sales; catering menu planning and contract negotiations; and, oversight of event billing.

Don Woodworth (Cape Cod)
A Founding Member of Cayuga Hospitality Advisors, offering more than 20 years of experience in managing private equity and non-equity clubs, resort clubs and recreational community clubs. Served 10 years at the National level on the USTA Facilities Committee during which period the National Tennis Center was designed and built. In-depth consulting experience includes such areas as site selection and club design, construction of recreational facilities, cost analyses of operating departments, turnaround strategies and interim management.

Ralph Woodworth (Los Angeles)
CEO of Gray-Wood and Associates, a Los Angeles-based management consultancy for hotels, restaurants and clubs, offering interim management, reengineering and expert witness services. Extraordinary operations experience including: COO of Chasen’s Restaurant, a renowned Los Angeles landmark; GM of the Tucson National Resort & Spa, with full responsibility for this Four-Star golf resort; EVP of Somerset Hotels in Beverly Hills, in which he ran all operations for seven hotels in the West & Southwest, including Sante Fe and Jackson Hole; EVP of the Bel Air Sands Hotel in Los Angeles; VP of Universal Studios' Recreational Services; GM of the Santa Barbara Biltmore and Clift Hotel, both Five-Star operations; and, COO of Westin's inplant dining at Boeing Aircraft, feeding 40,000 daily.

Yuji Yamaguchi (Tokyo, Japan)
Prof. of Hospitality Management, Obirin Univ., Tokyo; Visiting Prof., Waseda Univ., Tokyo; and Research Analyst, Waseda Research Institute of Hospitality; Senior Auditor, Fujiya Hotels Co.; Chief Consultant, Y’s Consultants Ltd. Expertise includes feasibility and financial analysis, asset and operation management, education and training, and marketing research for hotels, resorts, clubs and restaurants.

Peter Yesawich (Orlando)
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ypartnership, a worldwide advertising, public relations and marketing services company. Services include: advertising, public relations, promotions marketing & strategic partnerships, interactive strategy & design, branding, research and strategic planning, design, diversity marketing, media planning and media buying. An insightful and well-respected resource for the travel, leisure and lifestyle industry, Peter is a frequent commentator on travel trends in such publications as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time, Newsweek and Business Week, as well as on national television and public radio. He serves as a featured columnist in several industry trade publications and is coauthor of Marketing Leadership in Hospitality.

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