AZUL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate Director Development & Analytics
In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Alvaro Fraile focuses on ensuring AZUL's best in class operational platform. Fraile's unique background makes him adept at strengthening brand relationships, gaining alignment on major programs and initiatives, and driving the overall performance of assets.
Prior to joining AZUL, Fraile served as Vice President for Marriott Hotels, having joined the organization in 2014, as Senior Director, MSB Franchise Operations. His extensive experience and knowledge of AC Hotels was instrumental as Marriott launched the ACBM brand in the US. Prior to joining Marriott in the US, Fraile held senior operational positions in Europe, including both Director of Integration and Director of Operations for AC Hotels. Fraile holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Richmond, Virginia and a Master of Business Administration from Instituto de Empresa, Madrid, Spain.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate Accounting Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Area Director Revenue Management
Job Titles:
- Vice President / / Marketing & ECommerce
In her role as Vice President of Marketing and eCommerce, Azure Tackert primarily focuses on developing innovative marketing strategies to drive overall results of the company and to strengthen each asset's market position.
Job Titles:
- Vice President Operations Grand Pacific Resorts
Job Titles:
- Corporate Controller
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
Job Titles:
- Chief Talent Officer
- Principal
Doug Leiber serves as Chief Talent Officer, focusing primarily on ensuring that AZUL attracts and retains some of the best talent in our industry. His role also includes associate engagement, service accountability, and quality assessment.
Leiber has a solid background in all areas of hospitality management and a strong track record in maximizing bottom-line profit without compromising "best in class" guest service. He has also successfully developed and implemented plans for reducing structural costs and has consistently produced industry-leading margins.
Leiber served as Chief Executive Officer of Azul since its inception in 2007. Prior to founding AZUL Hospitality Group, Leiber held senior management positions with JC Resorts for over ten years. He also held numerous food and beverage management positions for Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons Hotel Groups. Leiber received his Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate Director Human Resources
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate Director of IT
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Senior Vice President
Jason Durbin oversees finance and compliance for the company, ensuring optimum levels of efficiency and organization. He is also proficient in reducing structural costs, creating operational efficiencies and assisting in maximizing owner return. Durbin's responsibilities include accounting oversight, financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and brand interface.
Durbin holds a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, San Marcos and certification in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.
As Chief Financial Officer, Jeannie Porter is responsible for developing financial policies related to AZUL's managed assets, providing strategic direction for all financial functions including accounting, budgeting, credit management, tax compliance, and treasury.
Prior to joining Azul, Porter served as Chief Financial Officer for the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. She also served in Controller positions for JC Resorts and the Del Mar Country Club. Additionally, Porter worked as a CPA for Arthur Andersen, where she launched her career specializing in hospitality finance. She is an active member of HFTP holding multiple board positions, including as its President. Porter graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Senior Vice President
Jeff Zogg has strong experience in strategic planning, budgeting, capital improvements, and facility management. Additionally, he drives the operating procedures and best practices for the company. Zogg's current organizational responsibilities include oversight of boutique service properties.
Prior to joining AZUL Hospitality Group, Zogg was the Vice President of Lodging for American Ski Company. His experience included opening and asset management for the Grand Summit Resort and Sundial Lodge. Zogg also managed a number of high-profile resorts throughout the Northeast US, including the Killington Grand Resort Hotel and Killington Resort Villages in Killington, Vermont.
Job Titles:
- Vice President Operations
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Compliance & Staff Services Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate Director Lifestyle Travel
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Area Director Revenue Management
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate Accounting Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Human Resources
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate Staff Accountant
Mark Crisci - Chief Investment Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief Investment Officer
- Principal
Mark Crisci has a strong track record within the hospitality industry of creating organizational scale and driving portfolio growth. He has been actively involved in all levels of hospitality investment activity from multiple perspectives, including ownership through new construction and acquisition projects, joint venture partnerships, third-party management growth initiatives, and investment banking/lending platforms. He has an extensive hospitality contact network and extensive experience in both the debt and equity marketplace with direct relationships with many of the most active debt and equity providers in the current hospitality landscape. Crisci has been directly involved in over $1 billion worth of commercial real estate projects during his 23-year career in the hospitality industry, which has included tenures of service with K Partners Hospitality Group, Rockbridge Capital, GMAC Commercial Mortgage-Asset Backed Lending, Holiday Inn Worldwide, and US Franchise Systems.
Crisci is a graduate of the University of San Diego with a BBA in Business Administration with a concentration in finance.
Job Titles:
- Vice President / / Operations
Michael D'Amodio has extensive experience in hospitality management and leading teams for both branded and independent full service and enhanced select service hotels. He has a background in overall operations and has developed keen skills in revenue management and sales and marketing, driving strong results in all key metrics for owners and hotel brands. He has been especially effective at attracting and retaining dedicated and loyal team members that he has mentored and developed.
Prior to joining AZUL Hospitality Group, D'Amodio worked for Interstate Hotels/Aimbridge Hospitality for over 16 years as General Manager at several hotels and Vice President, Operations overseeing a portfolio of nine full service and select service hotels in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and Sonoma Wine Country. D'Amodio received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Pittsburgh.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Operations
- Vice President / / Operations
As one of AZUL's Vice President of Operations, Mohsen Khaleghi is an innovative leader with an exceptional track record of consistently maximizing revenues, driving operational efficiencies, and deploying industry best practices. His strong operational foundation is complemented with a technical knowledge of facilities operations and engineering systems.
Prior to joining AZUL, Khaleghi had an extensive with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, holding various leadership roles, including General Manager position at Grand Hyatt San Diego, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, and Hyatt Regency La Jolla. He also was responsible for the opening of several flagship properties. Khaleghi holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Florida International University.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Controller
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Regional Director Sales & Revenue
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate Accounting Manager
Job Titles:
- Founder of AZUL Hospital
- President / / CEO / / Principal
Rick Mansur is the founder of AZUL Hospitality Group and actively oversees the strategic direction of the company's management platform. He is also rigorously focused on attracting and retaining best-in-industry talent for the organization.
Mansur has extensive experience in all aspects of Sales and Management Operations. Longstanding industry relationships allow him to bring the appropriate resources to provide for a highly performing asset. Additionally, Mansur's creative approach to hotel programming and product positioning have made him an industry recognized leader and innovator in the rapidly expanding Soft Brand and Lifestyle Select Service segments.
Prior to AZUL Hospitality Group, Mansur served as Senior Vice President of JC Resorts, managing a privately held collection of some of the finest resort hotels and golf courses in Southern California. Mansur has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Redlands and Master of Business Administration from California State University, San Marcos.
Job Titles:
- Vice President Revenue Strategy
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate Director of Payroll
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President / / Lifestyle Hotels
- Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations
Stan Kaminski is Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations and sets the tone for all lifestyle hotels within the company. He also spearheads the opening task force for AZUL hotels and resorts. Particularly adept at opening, re-positioning, and executing world-class guest experiences, Kaminski prides himself in developing staff that deliver gracious and authentic service.
Kaminski has extensive experience with branded and independent luxury and resort properties, having held general manager positions at the St. Regis Deer Valley, W San Diego, Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa, and the Surf & Sand Resort Laguna Beach. He was also the Corporate Food & Beverage Director for JC Resorts, which featured award-winning dining experiences such as the El Bizcocho Restaurant, with the highest Zagat rating in San Diego.
Kaminski gained extensive Food & Beverage experience from his more than ten years as a senior manager with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. Kaminski also has a degree from the Culinary Institute of America.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Regional Director Sales
Job Titles:
- Member of the Corporate Director Revenue Management Team
- Corporate a / P Manager
Job Titles:
- Vice President Operations