Jim Anhut
Senior Vice President, Franchise Development, The Americas
InterContinental Hotels Group

Jim is senior vice president, franchise development, for the Americas division of IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) PLC.

Jim is responsible for maximizing the distribution of IHG’s franchised hotels in North America and driving enhanced strategic market planning for franchised development.

He most recently served as senior vice president, brand management, Hotel Indigo, where he was responsible for overall strategic direction of IHG’s branded boutique hotel concept. Prior to this position, Jim served as senior vice president, brand development, and was responsible for launching the Hotel Indigo brand. Hotel Indigo has been widely acclaimed as highly innovative and segment-defining by industry experts and consumer press.

Prior to the Hotel Indigo brand launch, Jim held the position of senior vice president, brand management, Staybridge Suites. He designed and launched this extended-stay hotel chain, directed the growth of the brand, as well as implemented the strategies to ensure its success. Under his leadership, Staybridge Suites laid claim to the distribution milestones of “fastest to 50” and “swiftest to 75” in its upscale extended-stay segment.

Jim is a third-generation hotelier with more than 25 years of industry experience, including more than 20 years in senior management positions with several national lodging franchisers and extended-stay hotel brands. In addition to his operations experience, he has launched three lodging brands, influenced the introduction and growth of two additional brands, and acquired, developed or financed lodging real estate with an aggregate value exceeding $1 billion. Jim began his career in the hospitality industry in 1980 as a general manager for his family’s hotel and restaurant business in Farmington Hills, MI

Jim received a bachelor's degree in marketing from Emory University and a master’s degree in finance and hospitality management from Michigan State University. He is a certified hotel administrator and is a founding member of the Extended Stay Lodging Council of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. He also serves on the board of directors of the School of Hospitality Management at Michigan State University and recently served on the board of directors of the Sandy Springs Youth Sports Association.

 

Roger Bloss
Founder and CEO
Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc.

Roger Bloss has more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry. After serving in executive positions with several major franchise companies, Bloss and his partners launched Vantage Hospitality Group in 1996 and acquired their first hotel. His hospitality experience and vision set the foundation for the development of the company which manages resources in hotel ownership, management, marketing, national brand affiliation, real estate, and hotel technology.

Under his leadership, Vantage has become the 12th largest hotel company worldwide and has earned the distinction of being the only hotel brand to be ranked three years in a row on the prestigious Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies.

Vantage’s first brand, Americas Best Value Inn, was launched nationally in 1999. It grew from two to nearly 800 properties and more than 50,000 guest rooms in just nine years. Located throughout North America and China, the economy brand has been honored with five National Chain Leadership awards and was recognized as the Fastest Growing Chain in the country over the past six years.

In 2007, Vantage launched The Lexington Collection, the first membership brand available in the three- and four-diamond segments. It has over 25 properties open or under contract throughout the U.S. and China.

Today, Vantage continues to expand its brands domestically as well as in international markets that include India, China, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Vantage’s innovative Freestyle Membership Model, developed by Bloss, offers hotel owners a voice and vote in the Brand’s direction; low, flat fees; and short-term contracts. This model has been embraced by the industry and contributes to Vantage’s continued growth and worldwide expansion.

Bloss’ leadership and lifetime experience was recognized by Lodging Magazine in 2006 when it named him Innovator of the Year.

 

Edie Bornstein
Vice President Business Development and Strategic Partnerships
Carnival Cruise Lines

Edie Bornstein, a 25 -year travel industry veteran, joined Carnival Cruise Lines in June 2004, assuming the then newly created position of vice president - business development.

In that position, she was responsible for developing co-marketing and branding opportunities for the company’s popular “Fun Ship” vacation products.  

In September 2005, she was named to her current position, vice president of business development and strategic partnerships, assuming responsibilities for Carnival’s strategic partners and working with large branded travel agencies and travel agent consortia throughout the country.

Prior to joining Carnival, Bornstein served as vice president of business development and sales for Cunard and Seabourn Cruise Lines where her many accomplishments was the orchestration of two high profile partnerships – the Vueve Clicquot Champagne Bar and the Todd English alternative restaurant aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

Before that, Bornstein spent 12 years at Amadeus, a leading provider of global distribution systems, including six years as vice president – cruise specialty sales and marketing. She also spent two years as president and CEO of Sea Commerce Consultants, which provides Internet start-up companies with Web site sales and marketing strategies.

Bornstein earned her bachelor’s degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

She is a resident of Weston, Fla.

 

Jeri Clausing
Senior Editor, Hotels and Hospitality
Travel Weekly

Jeri Clausing has been senior editor of hotels and hospitality for Travel Weekly since June 2007.

Prior to joining the travel trade press, she spent 20 years in daily and business-to-business journalism, most recently as capital bureau chief and political columnist at The Denver Post.

Previously, she had been the executive editor of Ziff Davis' Interactive Week, Washington technology correspondent for The New York Times, state editor of The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, an editor for the Associated Press in Dallas and Milwaukee, and a reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Dallas Times Herald and United Press International.

The daughter of a television engineer, Clausing developed wanderlust during her childhood years in American Samoa before settling in Dallas, where she graduated from Southern Methodist University.

 

Ezzat Coutry
Senior Vice President
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

As senior vice president for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., Ezzat Coutry oversees 28 Ritz-Carlton hotels currently open and under development in the Southeast, Caribbean, South America and Mexico region.

Prior to that, he was president and chief executive officer of La Quinta Inns, Inc.

Coutry’s 20 years experience with Marriott International includes a variety of senior operations and management positions overseeing Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn properties.  From 1976 to 1988, he served as general manager of various Marriott Hotels, both domestic and international. Between 1989 and 1996, he held positions as senior vice president of rooms operations, senior vice president of sales and senior vice president of the Midwest region.

A native of Egypt, Coutry earned his bachelor’s degree in hotel management at Cairo University.  He began his career in the lodging and hospitality industry in Egypt and Europe.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md operates 72 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Over 30 projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Shenzhen, Phulay Bay and Mexico City. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, which recognized outstanding customer service. For more information, contact The Ritz-Carlton toll free reservations line at 1 (800) 241-3333, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, or consult a travel professional.

 

Jonathan Falik
CEO
JF Capital Advisors

Jonathan Falik has worked on numerous completed M&A and financing transactions involving well over 1,000 hotels and over $12 billion of transaction value. He has been actively involved with mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies, portfolio sales and single asset sales, equity financing, high yield financing and mortgage financing.

Jonathan is the founder and CEO of JF Capital Advisors and also serves as CEO of Eagle Hospitality, a private hotel REIT, which was acquired by JF Capital and partners in August 2007. Prior to founding the company, Jonathan was an investment banker at Bear Stearns in New York where he represented public and private hotel owners and operators. Jonathan has worked as a C.P.A. for Price Waterhouse, concentrating on due diligence and auditing services for real estate opportunity funds and real estate investment partnerships. Jonathan received a BA in Economics with high honors from Rutgers College and an MBA from Columbia Business School with a concentration in Real Estate Finance.

Jonathan has lectured and presented at industry events including New York University's International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, Columbia University's Graduate School of Business and its Graduate School of Architecture, and Rutgers University. He is a founding member of the Columbia Business School Real Estate Circle and was on the steering committee for the inaugural Columbia Business School Real Estate Conference. He is also an adjunct professor of Real Estate Finance at NYU’s Graduate Real Estate Institute.

 

James Fitzgerald
Managing Director - Hotel Investments
Principal Real Estate Investors

James Fitzgerald joined The Principal in September 2006 to develop and oversee all of the company’s equity investment and debt financing activities in the hotel sector. Principal Real Estate Investors is the fourth largest institutional real estate manager in the United States based on tax-exempt assets under management¹ and manages or subadvises $40 billion in commercial real estate assets. The firm’s real estate capabilities include both public and private equity and debt investment alternatives. Principal Real Estate Investors is the dedicated real estate group of Principal Global Investors.

He has over 30 years of diversified development, finance, and advisory experience in the real estate and hospitality industries having held various management positions in acquisitions, development, commercial lending and treasury with several leading real estate and hospitality companies and financial institutions.

Professional Background

Before joining Principal Financial Group, Mr. Fitzgerald spent twenty five years in the hospitality and financial services industries.  These positions included the following organizations: REH Capital Partners,  KPMG, LLP, American International Group, Omni Hotels, Marriott Corporation, Manufacturers Hanover (now JP Morgan Chase) and the Waldorf-Astoria.

Education

Mr. Fitzgerald is a graduate of Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration B.S, 1976.  Additionally, he has completed the Finance Training Program of Manufacturers Hanover (now JP Morgan Chase), in New York City.

 

Glenn Haussman
Editor-in-Chief
Hotel Interactive

Glenn Haussman is Hotel Interactive's Editor-In-Chief, where he manages all editorial content for the hotel industry’s leading online information resource. Here he creates unique and in-depth content that stimulates and educates the publication’s readership.

With more than a decade in the hotel industry, Glenn enjoys the world of hospitality and traveler as an observer of trends, educator and guest. He is known for his lightening rod viewpoints on controversial lodging industry issues. As a frequent moderator and speaker at leading events he frequently pokes holes in conventional thinking.

At New York University, he is an adjunct professor teaching classes in Consumer Behavior as well as Public Relations & Advertising.

Glenn is sought out as an industry expert and frequently quoted in a variety of periodicals and has been quoted in leading publications such as the New York Times, MSNBC.com, CNN.com.

 

Jeffrey A. Horwitz
Partner
Proskauer Rose LLP

Jeff Horwitz is a partner in the Firm’s Corporate Department, is co-head of our Lodging & Gaming Group and our Mergers & Acquisitions Group, and has served on the Firm’s Executive Committee.  He has been selected as one of “The Best Lawyers in America,” a “New York Super Lawyer,” and is listed in Lawdragon’s  “3000 Leading Lawyers in America” and “500 New Stars,” US Legal 500, and PLC’s Which Lawyer?  He is a general corporate and securities lawyer with broad-based experience in mergers and acquisitions, international transactions, and corporate and real estate finance.

Jeff regularly counsels clients on a full range of their activities, from raising seed capital through to public offerings, acquisitions and operational matters throughout the world.  He has handled a wide range of matters involving the lodging and gaming industries, including casino and hotel development and construction, financing, management, marketing, reservations systems, acquisition, sale, and restructuring.

Jeff graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, Harvard College and The University of Virginia School of Law, where he was elected to The Order of the Coif.  He has chaired the New York City Bar Association’s Committee on Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism and is a member of the American Bar Association’s Section of Business Law and the ABA Hospitality Committee.

 

Candace Jackson
Reporter
The Wall Street Journal

Candace Jackson has been covering travel for the Wall Street Journal since 2005. In that time, she's written about everything from resort development on tiny Caribbean islands to grizzly bear trekking in British Columbia to the impact of airline& delays on minor league baseball. Prior to that, she worked at a marketing and PR firm and a non-profit education organization. Candace has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, and a bachelor's degree in communications from New York University. Originally from Minneapolis, she now lives in Brooklyn.

 

Neil Jacobs
President, Global Hotel Operations
Starwood Capital Group

Neil Jacobs is the President of Global Hotel Operations for Starwood Capital Group. His portfolio includes the recently announced Baccarat Hotels and Resorts, 1 Hotels and Residences, and Crillon Hotels.

Prior to joining Starwood Capital Group, Mr. Jacobs spent 14 years with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, and since 2003 served as Senior Vice President, Operations for Asia Pacific. Based in Singapore, he was responsible for the operation of 16 hotels throughout the Asia Pacific region with 10 additional properties under development throughout China, India, Vietnam and the Indian Ocean islands.

Prior to joining Four Seasons, Mr. Jacobs spent 10 years in California as Executive Vice President of IDG Resorts, developing properties in Colorado, Indian Wells, California and Hawaii.

His early career in Food and Beverage and subsequently General Management took him to Portugal, Italy, Sri Lanka, London, Seychelles, Barbados and Venezuela working for companies such as TrustHouse Forte, Ladbrokes and Sheraton.

Mr. Jacobs studied languages and culture in Florence and at the Sorbonne, before attending Westminster Hotel School in London. He is fluent in 5 languages.

 

Michael Levy
Managing Director
Morgan Stanley Investment Banking Division

Michael Levy is a managing director in the investment banking division.  He is co-head of the firm’s real estate investment banking group for the America’s and global head of the firm’s lodging advisory practice

He has extensive experience providing advisory and capital raising services to public and private real estate and hospitality companies and has worked with industry participants in all real estate sectors. These activities include merger and acquisition assignments, corporate restructurings and recapitalizations, public and private equity and debt financings and real estate investments

Michael is a member of the group’s real estate investment committee as well as IREFAC, The Real Estate Roundtable’s Capital Markets Committee and ULI’s Hotel Development Council.  He received a B.S. from NYU Stern and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School

 

Anthony Marino
Managing Partner, Leisure and Hospitality
Virgin USA

Anthony Marino is Managing Partner, Leisure and Hospitality at Virgin Group and is responsible for sourcing, launching and growing new Virgin businesses in the leisure/lifestyle industries, including hotels. He focuses on identifying market opportunities where Virgin can apply its brand and capital to reinvent existing markets or create new consumer categories.

Virgin is a leading branded venture capital organization and one of the world's most recognized and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group has gone on to grow very successful businesses in sectors ranging from mobile telephony to transportation, media, travel, financial services, leisure, and retail. Virgin has created more than 200 companies worldwide, employing over 50,000 people in 29 countries.

With a reputation as one of the most exciting brands in the world, Virgin continues to blast into markets where the customer is being underserved, offering value for money, good quality, innovation, exceptional customer service, fun, and a sense of competitive challenge. Existing businesses include Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Charter, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Mobile, and Virgin Money. Building upon the success of these businesses, Virgin continues to look for opportunities in North America where it can offer something better, fresher, and more valuable to consumers.

Prior to joining Virgin, Anthony was a Principal at Venrock, the venture capital arm of the Rockefeller family office. During his six years at Venrock, Anthony led equity investments in early- and late-stage consumer, tech and media companies, several of which are leaders in their markets. Prior to Venrock, Anthony held various operating roles at Telcordia Technologies (NYSE: SAI) where he was on the founding team of the voice-over-IP infrastructure group. Anthony led product marketing and, ultimately, business development for the group before it was acquired by SAIC (NYSE: SAI). Anthony began his tenure at Bellcore reporting to Bellcore’s Chairman/CEO and was responsible for corporate strategy and new technology commercialization. He has over 12 years of experience investing in and launching successful businesses.

Anthony earned an AB, magna cum laude, from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard. He lives in New York City with his wife and son.

 

Jeff McIntyre
Principal
Gemstone Hotels & Resorts

Jeff McIntyre has enjoyed over 30 years of experience within the hospitality industry, including corporate positions with Sheraton, Radisson and Guest Quarters/Doubletree. Prior to moving to a corporate environment, Jeff spent 10 years in property level management, holding every senior level management position including General Manager.

Jeff has been a leader in the hospitality industry for over 28 years. Regarded as one of the best bottom line operators in the business, he is known for creating unique and tailored points-of-difference at each resort allowing each property to achieve market share advantages.

Jeff served as a Director of TBA Entertainment, Inc. and as President of its Resort Division from 1997 through 1998. The acquisition and development of The Village at Breckenridge Resort was the focus of TBA during this period.

Jeff was located at The Village with partner Mark van Hartesvelt from 1994 through 1998 overseeing the complete financial turnaround of the resort as well as the development and approval of the most complex master plan in the Town of Breckenridge's history.

From 1987 through 1994, Jeff was the Senior Vice President of Operations for Guest Quarters Suite Hotels and Doubletree Hotel Corporation. Responsible for 115 hotels, Jeff orchestrated the merging of the two companies and the consolidation of the corporate office. During Jeff's tenure, the portfolio achieved record improvements in profit and quality scores and positioned itself as a leader in the hospitality industry.

From 1985 through 1987 Jeff held the position of vice president with Radisson Hotels. He was responsible for 25 managed properties and 20 franchised hotels and resorts.

From 1974 until 1985, Jeff served The Sheraton Corporation in various capacities, including Director of Rooms and Reservations for North America and General Manager of Sheraton's number one occupancy and profit producing property in San Francisco, California.

A Certified Hotel Administrator, Jeff holds a B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Oklahoma State University and graduated from the University of Minnesota's Senior Executive Management program. Jeff has been a visiting professor and lecturer at the University of Maryland, The University of San Francisco, Golden State University and Oklahoma State University.



David Pepper
Senior Vice President, Franchise Development and 
President, Upscale and Extended Stay Brands 
Choice Hotels International

David Pepper is senior vice president of franchise development and president of upscale and extended stay brands for worldwide lodging franchisor Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH). In this position, he is responsible for the company’s franchise sales efforts and for the strategic oversight of Choice’s newest brands — Cambria Suites and its extended stay brands, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel. Mr. Pepper oversees all aspects of these brands’ operations including marketing, design and construction, franchise development, franchise services and quality assurance.

Mr. Pepper joined Choice Hotels in 2002 as vice president of franchise sales and development for the company’s new construction brands.

In 2004, he was promoted to senior vice president of franchise development.

In January 2005, Mr. Pepper served as an integral part of the team that launched the Cambria Suites brand in direct response to strong market demand for a lower-upscale lodging product, as well as Choice’s capacity to build brand loyalty in a highly competitive consumer marketplace. That year, he also added the responsibility of managing Choice’s entire franchise operations team.

In September 2005, Mr. Pepper led Choice's acquisition of the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brand, making Choice the leading franchisor in the economy extended-stay segment and solidifying its franchising leadership position.

One year later, Mr. Pepper took on the leadership position for the Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brands.

During his tenure at Choice, franchise sales have consistently achieved record levels and have more than doubled in the past five years — from 300 domestic franchise deals in 2002, to 470 in 2003, 552 in 2004, 639 in 2005, 720 in 2006 and 770 in 2007.

A graduate of Tufts University, Mr. Pepper has more than 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Choice, he spent six years with US Franchise Systems as vice president of franchise sales for Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns. He also spent five years with Holiday Inn Worldwide as a director of franchise sales.

 

Leland Pillsbury
Co-Chairman & CEO
Thayer Lodging Group

Leland Pillsbury is the Founder,Chairman and CEO of Thayer Lodging Group, a privately held hotel real estate investment firm which has invested over $3.5 billion in hotel real estate assets throughout the U.S., achieving in excess of a 29% internal rate of return over 17 years. He is also the cofounder and chairman of TIG Global, an internet marketing company serving over 1,000 hotels around the world, cofounder and chairman of EMC Venues, the largest resort and conference center marketing representation firm in the country, cofounder and chairman of Thayer Insurance Group, providing specialized insurance coverages to hotel and hospitality firms, cofounder of HUBS1, providing the only Global Distribution System and central reservations systems to the domestic Chinese hotel industry, and cofounder of HQuant, a financial and analytical firm serving the hospitality industry and publisher of the HQuant Lodging Real Estate Index. He is an investor and director in several other companies both inside and outside the hospitality industry.

He launched Grande Heritage Hotels in 1989 and sold the company in 1991, after serving 20 years at Marriott International, where he was Marriott’s youngest Executive Vice President and corporate officer. While at Marriott, Mr. Pillsbury participated in the acquisition of a time sharing business, led the venture team that developed and launched Fairfield Inns, acquired the Residence Inns Company, and served as head of strategic planning for the lodging business. During this period, Marriott experienced a four fold increase in sales, a five fold increase in profits, and an eight fold increase in its market capitalization. At the time of his departure, he was responsible for $1 billion in annual capital development projects and over 20,000 employees. After his departure, he participated in the acquisition of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company by Marriott International. In 1991 he founded Thayer Lodging Group.

Mr. Pillsbury is a member of the University Council at Cornell University where he and his wife have been named Principal Benefactors, and the Dean’s Advisory Councils at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He also serves on the Real Estate SubCommittee of Cornell’s Investment Committee. He is a Guest Lecturer at the School of Hotel Administration, Johnson and Wales College, and the University of Beijing and the University of Shanghai. Mr. Pillsbury is class president of the Cornell Fund, and a long time donor to a wide range of educational institutions. He and his wife have endowed several scholarships at major universities, and most recently founded the Leland C and Mary M Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at Cornell University. Mr. Pillsbury is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Hotel Lodging Association Education Foundation, the AH&LA Government Policy Committee.

Mr. Pillsbury resides in Fort Lauderdale Florida with his wife of 37 years. He pilots his own jet, and is an active boater and golfer. He is a graduate of the School of Hotel Management at Cornell University and the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

 

Bernard Siegel
Principal
KSL Capital Partners

Mr. Siegel joined KSL Capital Partners as Principal in June 2006, bringing over 22 years experience in the hospitality business.  KSL is a $1.7 billion private fund that invests in the hotel, travel, and leisure industries.  KSL Capital Partners current lodging portfolio consists of the Homestead Resort, Barton Creek Resort, and Rancho Las Palmas; KSL Resorts, an affiliate management company, also operates the Hotel del Coronado and La Costa Resort.  Additionally, KSL Capital Partners owns Western Athletic Clubs, the preeminent California fitness company, and Club Corp of America, the largest owner and operator of golf and business clubs. Prior to joining KSL Capital Partners, Siegel was Executive Vice President of Lowe Hospitality Group, serving as chief investment officer of its wholly-owned subsidiary Destination Hotels & Resorts.  While at Lowe, Siegel helped raise a $270 million private equity fund, Lowe Hospitality Investment Partners, and was responsible for $615 million in lodging investments and dispositions between 2004 and 2006.  Mr. Siegel previously was Managing Director Hospitality Division of Secured Capital Corp, where he was responsible for the firm’s $4.1 billion in hospitality investment banking transactions over a 10-year timeframe, which included Resolution Trust Corp distressed loan portfolio underwriting and workouts.  Mr. Siegel also held real estate positions at Marriott Corporation and Pannell Kerr Forster.  Siegel is an active member of Urban Land Institute and Cornell Society of Hotelmen.  He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado and a B.A. from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration.

 

Gus Stamoutsos
Executive Vice President, Domestic Franchise Development
Wyndham Hotel Group

Gus Stamoutsos, Wyndham Hotel Group executive vice president, franchise development, is responsible for the growth and development of Wyndham Hotel Group’s portfolio in the United States and Canada through the franchising of Wyndham® Garden, Ramada®, Days Inn®, Super 8®, Wingate® by Wyndham, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Microtel Inns & Suites®, Hawthorn Suites®, Howard Johnson®, Travelodge® and Knights Inn® hotels.

He was appointed to his current position in late 2008 after serving the company in executive level sales and development roles, including senior vice president, franchise sales and senior vice president, franchise sales and business development.

Prior to joining the Hotel Group, Stamoutsos served in various sales management capacities for Coldwell Banker, ERA and Jackson Hewitt. As vice president of franchise sales and strategic planning for Jackson Hewitt, he helped acquire more than 140 independent tax preparation offices that handled some 200,000 annual tax returns.

From 1988 to 1996 he was a managing partner in several business ventures including a land acquisition, property development and management company. He began his career in 1985 as an account executive for Tucker Anthony, a regional brokerage and investment banking firm.

Stamoutsos is a graduate of Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont where he received his bachelor's degree in economics.

 

Kathleen Taylor
President and Chief Operating Officer
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Kathleen (Katie) Taylor is President and Chief Operating Officer of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s global operations.

Since joining Four Seasons in 1989, Katie has played a key role in its growth and success, including the expansion of the company’s portfolio to the present 82 properties in 34 countries, and an additional 43 hotels and resorts now under construction and development around the world.

Prior to assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer in January 2007, Katie was President of Worldwide Business Operations for seven years, overseeing all aspects of the business side of the company, including direction of Four Seasons’ worldwide hotel and residential product design, construction and development activities, managing the company’s acquisition and corporate planning, overseeing the corporate finance and legal affairs groups, and the corporate human resources and corporation administration areas.

Katie’s business achievements have been recognized in recent years with the Schulich Award for Outstanding Executive Leadership in 2001, the IREFAC Chairman’s Award in 2003, and the CGCA Award for Business Achievement in 2006.

A member of the World Travel and Tourism Council and IREFAC, Katie is also a director of the Royal Bank of Canada and a member of its Audit and Human Resource Committees.  She is a member of the Cabinet of the Toronto United Way and the chair of its Endowment Giving, and is also a member of the board of The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation in Toronto.

Katie obtained a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and an M.B.A. from the Schulich School of Business in 1984.

She lives in Toronto with her husband and their three children, and together they enjoy all outdoor sports, including skiing, cycling and tennis.

 

Brett Yormark
President & Chief Executive Officer
Nets Sports and Entertainment

In his first four seasons as president and CEO of Nets Sports and Entertainment, Brett Yormark led the Nets to their most successful business years in team history. In addition to enjoying unprecedented marks in season-ticket renewals, the Nets set new standards for both new ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.

Yormark also instituted high-impact marketing, giving sponsors the opportunity to have their brand attached to the team in new and innovative areas such as on the exclusive front-row “Hollywood Seats” and the locker rooms. This new marketing approach resulted in Vonage becoming the first-ever full-season presenting sponsor of any team in the metropolitan area.

In spearheading the Nets’ planned move to Brooklyn, Yormark in January 2007 secured a 20-year strategic marketing partnership with Barclays, which includes the naming rights to the Barclays Center, the Nets’ planned home. Yormark also helped to secure the naming rights for the IZOD CENTER, formerly Continental Airlines Arena, in 2007.

Several of Yormark’s innovative initiatives have included: The Nets Employment Program in fall of 2008, in which the team encouraged unemployed fans to send in their résumés. The team then forwarded the résumés to its 120 corporate sponsors and also gave the unemployed fans 2,000 free tickets and access to a Nets career fair; An annual sweepstakes in which a student wins the opportunity to take Nets players to school; And the Nets Ticket Influencer Program, in which select season-ticket holders host catered cocktail parties at their homes, often in their backyards, for prospective season ticket buyers to mingle with Nets players.

Prior to joining the Nets, Yormark was a Vice President at NASCAR during which he helped build the stock-car racing company into a major sports property and secured the $750 million naming rights deal with Nextel, the largest sports deal in history.

In 2006, Yormark was named for the third time to the “Forty Under 40” list by Sports Business Journal. He has been profiled in Newsweek, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, and on CNN, CNBC, and CBS Sunday Morning.

Yormark is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization of northern New Jersey. He is the proud father of Madison, 7, and Drake, 4.