Alaura Rice brings 18 years of experience in the service industry, with the last decade dedicated to a blend of operations and learning development. This unique background allows her to balance strategy with practicality, ensuring that training initiatives not only inspire but also drive measurable results. Guided by a mentor’s advice—“We spend most of our lives at work, so why not change how we experience it?”—Alaura is passionate about transforming workplace experiences to create environments where people thrive.

As Director of Training Operations, Alaura empowers line-level team members through impactful training and drives operational efficiency with L&D initiatives across the organization. She continues to lead key programs with a renewed focus on service excellence. Working closely with leaders and trainers in the field, Alaura ensures training aligns with business goals and supports both individual and organizational growth.

Outside of work, Alaura enjoys exploring new countries, savoring exciting food, visiting local coffee shops, and relaxing with her French bulldog, Zoey Leigh. She finds constant inspiration in the strength, grace, and humanity of her family and friends, always nurturing meaningful connections wherever she goes.

As SVP, Andy leads the hotel consulting and asset management divisions, in addition to overseeing a variety of properties. 

Andy has held management positions with national hotel companies including Westin Hotels & Resorts, and Hilton Hotels Corporation. Andy also co-founded Seattle-based The Chambers Group, Inc. 

Discovering an opportunity to align with a group of industry peers and longtime friends who could provide the structure The Chambers Group needed, the company was acquired as a division of Columbia Hospitality in March 2011. 

Andy has served as director of management advisory services at Laventhol & Horwath for the Pacific Northwest region and is a current member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants. Andy has been an adjunct faculty member at the Washington State University School of Hotel Business Management and serves on the advisory board for Washington State University’s hospitality program. He is also the former chair of the Washington Lodging Association.  

Andy is a Cornell University graduate with a B.S. from the School of Hotel Administration. Andy was born in Seattle but raised in Connecticut (from age 3 to 20), so, in essence Andy has East Coast/West Coast dual citizenship.

As Senior Director of Sales, Ashley oversees the company-wide sales efforts, formulating strategic goals, mentorship and sales coaching and leads aggressive sales plans for group business at Columbia Hospitality properties.

Ashley’s knowledge spans the hospitality spectrum, having worked across many market segments and disciplines within the sales world, including positions with luxury brands such as Four Seasons and Waldorf Astoria, as well as iconic properties like Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.

Ashley is a University of Washington graduate and a native of northern California. She returned to the Pacific Northwest 12 years ago. She currently resides on Capitol Hill in Seattle with her husband.

As CEO, Brian oversees and guides company-wide operations.   

Brian’s background includes 40 plus years of management and leadership across a broad range of hospitality-related enterprises.  In the Seattle region, where he has been based since 1999, he worked with MTM Luxury Lodging and led the team that opened Hotel 1000. Additionally, he was GM at the Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle and also at the Bellevue Club/Hotel Bellevue. Prior to moving to the Pacific Northwest, he spent 16 years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in multiple locations throughout North America and started his career with The Mariner Group in SW Florida.  

Brian currently sits on the Board of Visit Seattle.  He is a Broward College graduate and resides on Mercer Island with his wife of 40 plus years, Kitty.  

His interests include travel, food, wine, technology, reading and being outdoors (in the Pacific Northwest or anywhere else he ventures). 

As Vice President of Marketing, Brooke focuses on strategic brand communications and media relations, in addition to campaign creative oversight and team building.

Brooke started her career supporting famed Italian restaurateur Sirio Maccioni, at New York City’s, Le Cirque. She took her depth of hospitality communications experience and applied it as Director of Public Relations at Eataly, launching its first U.S. location and developing media strategy and events. Upon moving to the West coast, Brooke joined Little Green Pickle, a Portland, Oregon based agency specializing in hospitality and tourism public relations where she worked for eight years and as Vice President, focused on business development and strategy.

Brooke is a Middlebury College graduate with a B.A. in International Studies and speaks Italian and French. She has served as Chairperson of Middlebury Alumni Admissions Program and on the board as President of New York Celebrity Assistants.

She lives in Seattle and is married with two Australian cattle dog mixes. Brooke loves foraging for mushrooms and hiking (usually accomplishing both at the same time). When she is not in the outdoors, she enjoys traveling, dining and venturing across the U.S.-Canadian border for dim sum in Richmond, BC. The best word to describe Brooke is: tenacious.

 As President of Columbia Hospitality Real Estate, Chuck leads real estate development activities and assists with business development and the overall growth of the company through various investment initiatives. 

Chuck’s expertise encompasses business and executive management, strategic planning, finance, property acquisition and disposition. 

Prior to joining Columbia Hospitality, Chuck was the CEO of Pistol Creek Company, a large, privately held investment company. Chuck also served as Controller for Lowe Enterprises Northwest, a real estate pension fund management company, where he was responsible for all areas of finance and accounting. Early in his career Chuck was an auditor and CPA with KPMG. 

Chuck is a Purdue University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He resides in Seattle and enjoys hiking, biking, and boating, plus Seattle’s hot restaurant scene. He has summited Mt. Rainier and is teaching himself to play piano. The best way to describe Chuck is: honest. 

As CFO, Dave oversees all aspects of finance and accounting for Columbia Hospitality and its managed properties; accountable for all financial and fiscal management aspects of company operations, cost control systems, and evaluating investment opportunities for Columbia and its owners. 

A leader in the financial services industry for more than 20 years, Dave has an extensive background across a series of companies ranging from large publicly traded organizations to small private businesses.  

Dave has held positions as the CFO of Cascadia Capital and worked as SVP and CFO of various business divisions of Washington Mutual and JP Morgan Chase. 

Dave is a graduate of the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.   He lives in Seattle with his wife and two teenagers and enjoys spending time with his family doing a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, kayaking and golfing.  

Interesting fact, Dave writes left-handed but does everything else right-handed. He is adept at simplifying complex ideas and the best word to describe Dave is: problem-solver. 

As Senior VP of Accounting, Doris oversees operational accounting as well as payroll processing for all managed properties and guides the Seattle Support Center (SSC) accounting team. 

Doris is a highly respected financial professional with a huge depth of experience in the hospitality industry. Her hospitality career began at the Olympic/Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle. Initially joining the hotel as a housekeeper, she held positions in a variety of departments including reservations, front desk, sales, executive administration and finally in accounting as assistant controller. 

A Sumner, WA native, Doris is a graduate of Central Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. In her spare time, she loves spending time with family and enjoys traveling, reading and country western dancing. Doris grew up in Western Washington as one of six children (three boys and three girls) and they all get along! The best word to describe Doris is: focused. 

As Senior Director of Talent, Greg’s primary focus is the executive search arm of Columbia’s business, which includes sourcing the best hospitality talent across the globe to bring significant value to our clients. 

A passionate hospitality professional, Greg’s industry knowledge and experience is diverse and well-rounded, including business development, operations, human resources, and talent acquisition. Greg has been at the helm of our recruitment team for over a decade; overseeing the strategy to place more than 11,000 individuals internally during a time when Columbia increased its portfolio to 80+ managed properties. This includes over 600 leaders across Columbia and our Executive Search arm.  

Greg joined Columbia in 2011 when he was selected as the food and beverage manager at Salish Lodge & Spa. He subsequently served as the rooms division manager, as well as recruiter, talent manager, director of new business development, and director of organizational development for Columbia. 

In 2016, he was honored by 425 Business Magazine as a 30 under 30 awardee. In 2017, he received the same honors from Hotel Management Magazine. 

Greg is a Washington State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Business Management. He enjoys traveling the world, experiencing different cultures, locales and hospitality properties and cultures. He is energized by connecting great people with great opportunities. He finds that there is no greater satisfaction than, “seeing people grow personally and professionally and knowing I had a small part in that journey.” He is a craftsman and a ‘MacGyver-style’ engineer and builder. And the best word to describe Greg is: ambitious. 

As the Senior Vice President, People and Culture, Hugo provides direction and support for engagement initiatives, service excellence, talent acquisition and retention, workplace culture and benefits. His passion for employee relations guides his interactions with his 11-member team as well as with Columbia Hospitality’s properties. 

Prior to joining Columbia Hospitality, Hugo was Director of HR at the MOD Pizza Support Center where he led the People Support Team for over 400 stores and 7000-plus employees. He also held HR positions with Two Roads Hospitality as the Area Director of People, Levy Restaurants at CenturyLink Field, and Sage Hospitality.  

Hugo is a University of Guadalajara graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, as well as a Masters in HR Management from National University in San Diego. Hugo enjoys spending time with family and he loves to travel and learn about other cultures. Raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Hugo is passionate about diversity and inclusion and is fluent in Spanish. He is a natural-born problem-solver and the best word to describe Hugo is: happy! 

As Senior Director of People Systems, Hyono plays a pivotal role in overseeing and managing Columbia Hospitality’s Human Resources Information Systems to streamline HR processes, enhance data accuracy, and support strategic decision-making. This includes planning, implementation, and maintenance of HRIS software and technology solutions, ensuring they align with the company’s goals and compliance requirements.

Prior to joining Columbia, Hyono held consulting roles leading large HCM implementation teams, planning and execution of solution architectures as well as effectively managing timelines and cross-functional project teams.

Hyono is a Western Washington University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in International Business. In his free time, Hyono enjoys exploring new places, playing any racket sports, and most importantly enjoys spending time with friends and family.

James focuses on business development, onboarding incoming properties to Columbia Hospitality, preopening advising for properties in development, and operations oversight of various hotel properties. In addition to hotel operations, James oversees financial planning & analytics for hospitality assets in development at CH. This includes cash flow forecasting, preopening budget generation, owner return analysis, and operations programmatic design and analysis.

James brings a blended perspective of hands-on property operations, finance, and strategy experience. He has worked in various leadership roles at the Heathman Hotel Kirkland, Salish Lodge & Spa, and The State Hotel. Before joining Columbia Hospitality, he worked at Northern Trust Bank in Chicago working in commercial lending and strategy.

James is a University of Puget Sound graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He lives with his wife, Tess in Seattle and enjoys spending time with friends and family, snow skiing, water skiing, running, and cooking.

James enjoys the innate ability of being personable and inquisitive.

Janet has more than 20 years of experience across the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries working in various locations and managing offices around the globe. Prior to joining Columbia Janet worked as Senior Vice President at Miles Partnership, a global marketing agency with expertise in the travel and tourism industry.

Janet also worked as Vice President of Marketing, managing financial operations and marketing strategy for the largest corporate housing company in the world. Prior to that, she was the Vice President of Tourism for Visit Seattle, where she was responsible for all overseas and international strategy, sales, marketing, communications and public relations for tourism promotion to Seattle.

Janet started her hospitality career on the hotel side of the business, working for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Greater Seattle and Maui, Hawaii. She has a passion for customer service, brand strategy, and servant leadership. When Janet isn’t working, she’s exploring or planning her next trip.

As Vice President of Accounting & Finance, Jeff plays a critical role in overseeing the financial operations for half of our hotel portfolio. With a distinguished background in hotel financial management, his expertise spans across industry-leading brands such as Four Seasons, Wyndham, Westin, Pan Pacific and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. Jeff is adept in hotel development, openings, systems integration, and navigating complex financial landscapes with precision and foresight.

A graduate of Cornell University’s prestigious Hotel School, Jeff’s career journey has taken him across both coasts before returning to the Pacific Northwest, where he led the accounting team at the renowned Salish Lodge & Spa for several years. This leadership experience marked the beginning of his impactful tenure at Columbia Hospitality.

While deeply committed to his professional responsibilities, Jeff is equally known for his approachable demeanor, sharp sense of humor, and ability to forge meaningful connections within the organization. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Jeff recently summited Mt. St. Helens and is now setting his sights on conquering Mt. Hood. In his leisure time, he enjoys golfing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and two children. Thoroughness defines Jeff in every aspect of his work, making him an indispensable leader in our organization.

Jeni serves as the Vice President of Consulting at Columbia Hospitality, helping clients to realize and build their hospitality projects, optimize those hotels, and then manage most effectively to create exceptional guest experiences. Jeni began her hospitality career at Oxford Hotels and Resorts, working first at The Godfrey Hotel and then managing new openings and operational improvement throughout the country. She has worked in hospitality operations with boutique branded and independent hotels for the past five years at individual properties as well as at the portfolio level. Prior to joining the hospitality sector, Jeni served as the Chief Strategist at UK Power Reserve where she was responsible for technology, communications, strategic planning, and data analytics. Previously, she was Director of Partner Solutions team at Global Impact, where she worked with Fortune 500 companies and international non-profits in emerging markets. Jeni holds a global MBA from Hult, as well as a BA from the University of Puget Sound. She currently serves on the boards of the Woodland Park Zoo, Global Impact UK and BoardReady. Jeni has worked across five countries, three sectors and loves working in high-growth, entrepreneurial environments. She lives in Seattle with her husband, son, and daughter, and loves to get out hiking, horseback riding, and skiing when time permits.

Jenne brings over 20 years of hospitality to her role with Columbia Hospitality. Prior to joining Columbia, she spent over 17 years with Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, working as General Manager of the Alexis Hotel for 9 years and then as Regional Director of Operations, overseeing a portfolio of 4 hotels in Seattle. Jenne moved on to become Vice President of Operations at Domicile, a Madrona Ventures hospitality start-up combining premium apartments with luxury hotel services. During this time, Jenne also worked with several Seattle boutique hotel owners as an asset manager and operations consultant.

Jenne is a graduate of University of Montana and has served on a number of tourism boards, including the Seattle Hotel Association, Washington Hospitality Association and Hospitality PAC. She also served as a Board Member for Visit Seattle, the Seattle Tourism Improvement Area and Metropolitan Improvement District Board.

In her free time Jenne enjoys being anywhere near the water, from the warm Pacific Ocean in Hawaii to crisp icy rivers and lakes of Montana. She can be found on her paddle board or sitting with a good book and her feet in the water.

With over 20 years of hospitality experience, Jennifer has worn many hats throughout her career. During her tenure at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, she specialized in Sales & Events, advancing to the position of Director of Sales & Events, where she spent over a decade. Her time at Hyatt provided Jennifer with opportunities to travel and advance her career, from Seattle to Austin to Calgary, before returning to the Pacific Northwest to open a new hotel. She has been a part of renovations, expansions and new hotel projects throughout her career. Pursuing her goal of becoming a General Manager, Jennifer’s journey led her to Columbia Hospitality. Now, as Regional Vice President, Jennifer oversees a collection of hotels and resorts and works with the development team on new properties in the Oregon market.

Jennifer is very involved in her local coastal community, currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Clatsop County Economic Development Council.

When not working, you will find Jennifer outdoors, enjoying the beach near her home, exploring the newest wineries in the Willamette Valley, trying out new local restaurants, or discovering new travel destinations.

John Oppenheimer is Founder and Chairman of Columbia Hospitality. Columbia Hospitality operates 102 properties in 12 states including hotels and resorts, residential, golf, distinctive venues, and restaurants and bars.  In addition to launching Columbia Hospitality in 1995 (to manage Bell Harbor International Conference Center for the Port of Seattle), John has also founded five successful, private hospitality-related businesses.

John was a founding general partner of Seattle Hotel Group, the investment group that developed the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Seattle.

John currently sits on the following boards: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board, Smoke Tree Corporation, Four Seasons Seattle Homeowner Association, UW Center for Leadership Studies Advisory Board, Anthony’s Restaurants, Northland Properties, and Chelan Valley Farms. Examples of John’s past non-profit boards include Chair of the Woodland Park Zoo, Chair of YPO Gold, board member of 5th Ave Theatre, among others. He served as a past member of the advisory board of Northern Trust. John was also recognized as a 2024 Director of the Year honoree by Puget Sound Business Journal.

John and his wife, Deanna, are the 2024-2025 co-chairs of the Auction of Washington Wines, past Fritzky co-chairs in Leadership at the University of Washington and are honorees of the Seattle Hotel Association’s “Evening of Hope”. They have served as co-chairs of many civic events including: the Woodland Park Zoo Jungle Party, Virginia Mason Dreambuilder’s Ball, and the Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame.

John is the author of the book, Keys to the Room: Unlocking the Doors to Opportunities and Possibilities.

John is a University of Puget Sound graduate where he earned his bachelor’s degrees in Urban Affairs and Political Science. He and Deanna were honored for their continued service and philanthropy with the dedication of Oppenheimer Hall at their alma mater.

He is a husband and proud father of two adult children. An interesting fact is that John first learned about great customer service as a young skycap at the Boise, Idaho airport, carrying luggage. The word that best describes John is grateful.

As SVP, Jolene ensures the company is best structured and aligned to meet owner and property needs throughout the U.S., with specific oversight of revenue management and distribution, sales, and IT, as well as multi-property oversight of guest room, food and beverage, and spa operations. 

Jolene spent 11 years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts (W Hotels Worldwide, St. Regis Hotels and Resorts and The Luxury Collection). Jolene was instrumental in the launch of W Hotels, starting with opening the fourth W Hotel in Seattle as Director of Sales & Marketing, then leading the field marketing team for W Hotels, and finally in NYC as Vice President, Brand Marketing for W Hotels, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection. 

 Jolene was honored as one of Lodging Magazine’s Outstanding Women in Lodging and has served as president of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of Professional Convention Management Association and awarded Supplier of the Year by the Washington Society of Association Executives. She currently sits on the Corporate Council for the 5th Avenue Theatre, the Washington Filmworks Board of Directors, and serves on the Editorial Committee for the Washington Hospitality Association. 

Jolene is a Washington State University graduate, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications/Public Relations. Here is a little-known fact – Kanye West, sang the song “Jolene” to Jolene when she was his dinner partner at a New York Fashion Week event. And the word that best describes Jolene is: ham (not the kind one eats). 

As Director of Learning and Development for Columbia, Kristen designs and delivers training programs that bring out the best in the company’s team members. 

Kristen is an adult learning expert with experience in workplace curriculum development and implementation. 

Prior to joining Columbia, Kristen held learning and development positions with Imperative, PitchBook, and Point B. She has extensive experience in performance management, training, mentoring and leadership advancement. She is focused on aligning training opportunities with Columbia’s strategic business needs, including investing in our team members’ growth and assisting clients with customized training programs. 

Kristen is a Seattle University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a master’s degree in Creative Writing from Otis College of Art & Design. 

In her free time, Kristen enjoys painting, hiking, reading, and listening to true crime podcasts. She is a certified yoga instructor as well as a youth mentor at Year Up. Interesting fact about Kristen is that after college she worked as a private investigator… and yes, she has many stories from that chapter of her life. Kristen also has an uncanny ability: within 24 hours, she can convince any child to eat their broccoli – with a 100% success rate. The best word to describe Kristen is: scrappy. 

Within Columbia Hospitality, Lauren directly oversees marketing strategies in addition to running a department of more than 25 skilled marketing experts. 

Lauren came up through the ranks of Columbia, previously holding the title of Marketing Manager. She has a long and successful history in the marketing industry having worked for Tiger Oak Media as Director of Marketing and Events, where she oversaw magazine promotion of Seattle Business, Seattle Magazine, and five bridal event magazines. Lauren started her career as Special Events Coordinator and PR Assistant for Festivals Inc, assisting in the production and promotion of the Bite of Seattle and Taste of Tacoma. 

Lauren is a graduate of Washington State University with a B.A. in Communications and Advertising and lives in Seattle with her husband and son. 

Linda Jones is deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest, having grown up and built her life in the suburbs of Seattle. After graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Accounting, Linda returned to Seattle and embarked on a remarkable career that started in food manufacturing before transitioning into the world of hospitality. With over 27 years of experience in hotel and food and beverage management, Linda brings a diverse skill set to the table, contributing to business development, growth, and reorganization.

Outside of her professional life, Linda resides north of Seattle with her husband and son, where she enjoys hosting gatherings for family and friends, creating memorable moments, and doting on her Airedale Terriers, Rowdy and Angus. Her favorite destinations include the breathtaking shores of Kauai, the rugged beauty of the Washington Coast, and the serene vineyards of Sonoma, California.

Mark Andrew is the Regional Manager – Canada for Columbia Hospitality in which his duties include supporting the operational growth of amazing properties North of the border. He has worked at several top-tier Hotel & Resort properties in Canada and the US ranging from Hyatt Hotels & Resorts to Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to Semiahmoo Resort, Golf & Spa to Canyon Ranch Wellness Resorts. Prior to his current role, he was Senior Vice President, Tapestry, at Concert Properties where his background in hotel operations, marketing, sales, and transformational management were invaluable as Concert took over operations of its Seniors Housing company. He has a proven track record for enhancing property performance, team member engagement, and customer satisfaction. His leadership abilities have been recognized with a distinguished President’s Award by Meeting Professionals International.

When not enjoying life with the world of hospitality,  you can find Mark either enjoying time in the great outdoors…or in a gym.

As Director of IT, Matt drives the company-wide technology strategy and oversees the IT systems of hotels, restaurants, golf properties, residential communities, and distinctive venues. He also oversees the IT infrastructure of all new hotel developments within Columbia’s portfolio. 

Matt is a true IT and hospitality expert, including work with Coastal Hotels, where he applied best practices in technology to enhance guest and team member experiences. Prior to Coastal he worked as an IT consultant to various hospitality and property management companies. 

Matt is an Oregon State University graduate. He enjoys scuba diving and homebrewing in his free time. 

Matt oversees hotels and resorts, including all growth-related initiatives and ongoing operations. 

Matt’s background has been focused on opening and managing full service, independent, unique hotels and restaurants.    

A Seattle native, Matt is a University of Washington graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Foster School of Business. Matt is a past board member of the Seattle Hotel Association and teaches the certificate of commercial real estate at the University of Washington.  

Matt is a husband, father of two, a Husky alum, an avid cyclist (including a ride from Prague to Budapest), golfer, outdoor enthusiast, recreational surfer, and enjoys travel of all kinds. The best way to describe Matt is: eternal optimist, family guy, and enthusiastic.  

With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Matthew has held many leadership positions throughout his career. He spent over ten years in Las Vegas and the southern California coast with various roles at MGM Resorts International, Loews Hotels, and The Grand Del Mar.  Through decades of service, Matthew rose through the ranks to achieve his original career goal of becoming a General Manager. Matthew has since exceeded that goal and many others and now oversees multiple properties as Regional Vice President. Matthew wears many hats, but he truly thrives when he’s building great relationships with owners, nurturing leadership growth, and diving into exciting pre-opening projects for new construction ventures.

Originally from Washington state, Matthew now lives in Bozeman, Montana which gives him a convenient excuse to hike, bike, and ski as many days as possible each year. Matthew is an active member of his community, having served as an advisory board member of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, the Downtown Bozeman Partnership, and his current role as Board Chair of Visit Bozeman, the city’s convention and visitors bureau.

After graduating from Highline College, majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Matthew attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Go Rebs!

The best word to describe Matthew is: Sincere.

As Director of Sales, Meredith provides strategic sales leadership and development of company-wide sales initiatives and related programs to drive results in the group business and catering segments for Columbia’s various properties, while expanding and developing her sales team’s knowledge through a diverse use of practical applications and creative ideas. 

Meredith has held various leadership roles including VP of Sales at Coastal Hotels, supporting the properties within their portfolio with a special focus on strategy, business development and total profitability. 

Meredith is a native Washingtonian currently residing in Renton. A proud mother to her son, Meredith is an adrenaline junkie, enjoying everything from scuba diving to skydiving and a lot of fun stuff in between, including traveling, cooking and enjoying the great outdoors. The word that best describes Meredith is: effervescent. 

As President of CH Residential, Michael oversees a diverse, mixed-use residential property portfolio. He leads a field team of general managers, community association managers and operational leaders in Columbia Hospitality’s growing residential collection while implementing business development strategies. Michael is tasked to improve operational efficiencies, reinforce a culture of exceptional customer service and a collaborative work environment. 

Michael has held management, operations, sales and marketing positions with Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty, Marriott and Hyatt Vacation Ownership, and Lowe Enterprises. His project management experience includes residential properties across multiple states as well as residential projects internationally in Japan, China and Indonesia. 

Michael is a graduate of the University of Washington. He loves spending time with his two adult daughters who live in the Seattle area. Michael finds that traveling brings new experiences to life, and the fact that, “around every corner there can be a memory made” (including being chased by a 9 foot long/200 kg Komodo Dragon on a remote island in Indonesia). He enjoys skiing, golf, hiking and scuba diving, where he once jumped out of a helicopter from 40 feet into the waters off Hawaii to begin a dive on four separate wrecks with an ex-Navy seal. It will come as no surprise that the best word to describe Michael is: passionate! 

Mike has direct oversight and responsibility for the experience, operation, and results of a set of properties within the Columbia Hospitality portfolio. Additionally, he has responsibilities in the company’s Columbia Cares committee, Facilities Workgroup, and Sustainability Workgroup. Mike brings more than a decade of hotel experience to Columbia Hospitality, with a majority of his time in management roles at Kimpton Hotels in Seattle. Prior to his positions with Kimpton, Mike worked for a health and wellness organization overseeing guest and facility operations experience.

Originally from Minneapolis, Mike now lives in Seattle which has opened the gates for adventure, and he enjoys spending any of his free time outdoors. Mike loves to cycle (gravel, trail, or Peloton – any will do), camp, hike, and snowboard. Mike is a husband, father of two, seeks memorable experiences, loves a good joke or prank, and always has music on his mind.

As Vice President of People and Culture, Patti plays a pivotal role in our organization, overseeing the People Operations function. In her multifaceted role, Patti serves as the People and Culture Project Manager for all property openings and transitions, ensuring a seamless integration of our company’s values and culture into every aspect of our expanding organization. Additionally, she acts as a trusted People and Culture Business Partner for multiple properties, fostering a harmonious relationship between our workforce and the company’s core values. Patti is also a valuable source for HR guidance, providing expertise to our P&C Directors, Managers, Business Partners, and Coordinators while maintaining a strong focus on legal compliance and ethical practices.

Patti’s journey with Columbia Hospitality began in 1998, a time when our company comprised of just four properties. Her significant role in shaping our company’s values many years ago fills her with pride, as these values remain steadfastly upheld to this day.

Outside of her professional life, Patti has a passion for travel, gardening, and spending quality time with her family on their farm. She also enjoys antiquing adventures. Patti holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Business and Foreign Language and Literature, both earned from Washington State University (go Cougs!). As a native of Washington State, Patti currently resides in Poulsbo and is a devoted parent to two daughters.

As Senior Director, Revenue Management, Peter works with the property, marketing, and group sales teams to ensure that each property has the right strategies in place to maximize profitably.  

Peter has a broad background in revenue strategy from a diverse set of properties and companies. In addition to leading pricing strategy, he has managed sales teams, rebranded a major Northwest spa, and has been the General Manager of a four-star hotel in the Bay Area. He brings a data driven approach to both revenue management and marketing. 

Prior to joining Columbia Hospitality, he led the revenue efforts for Coastal Hotels, Destination Hotels at Suncadia, Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle, Salish Lodge & Spa, Hotel Los Gatos, and The Cypress. 

Peter is both a Purdue University graduate with a B.S. in Hospitality Management and a University of Washington, Foster School of Business grad with an MBA in Marketing and Pricing. He enjoys cooking new and creative recipes, particularly fresh fish he has caught. He has summited four 14,000’+ mountains in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado and started playing the acoustic guitar during the first part of the pandemic. The word that best describes Peter is: compassionate. 

Phil, originally hailing from Louisiana but having moved to the San Francisco Bay Area at a young age, embarked on a journey that led to a thriving career in the hospitality industry and a loving, 34-year partnership with his wife, whom he met during their enrollment in the Hotel & Restaurant Management Program at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, CA. After graduating from the program, Phil honed his culinary skills at a bed and breakfast inn, marking the beginning of his adventure in the industry.

His passion for hospitality evolved over the years as he took on various roles in the restaurant sector, transitioning from the kitchen to the front desk and eventually excelling in accounting at a Hilton property. Phil mastered diverse facets of hotel operations, from banquets to night audit, food and beverage control to director of finance, and the role of Assistant General Manager.

Seeking new horizons, Phil relocated to Southern California while working for Windsor Hospitality, where he served as a regional controller for an impressive 11-year tenure. Subsequently, his journey led him to Seattle, where he briefly contributed his financial expertise at Tully’s Coffee Headquarters before returning to his true passion – hotel operations – at the Heathman Hotel Kirkland. Eventually, Phil found a home at Coastal Hotels as a Corporate Controller before becoming an integral part of Columbia Hospitality, where he has dedicated the last seven years to furthering the company’s success.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Phil’s love for travel has taken him to Germany and Vancouver, Canada. Phil once indulged in the thrill of paintball, fostering teamwork and outdoor adventures. Nowadays, Phil dedicates his spring and summer months to youth baseball as a devoted board member and umpire for his local little league, considering it his personal stress-reliever.

Off the field, Phil cherishes moments with his family, exploring new destinations, attending Seattle Mariners games, and cooking. He’s known for his generous spirit, often sharing extra food with neighbors, friends, and family simply because it brings him joy.

As VP of Food and Beverage, Roy is responsible for integrating internal systems that achieve measurable fiscal success while focusing on quality recruitment and responsible environmental practices that create inspired and profitable food and beverage business units.  

Roy brings an enormous depth of food and beverage leadership throughout Europe and the U.S., including Michelin starred hotels and past culinary director for Coastal Hotels. 

PBS named Roy one of America’s Rising Star Chefs; John Mariani of Esquire Magazine named him a “Chef to Keep Your Eyes On,” and Bon Appétit magazine named him one of 13 “Top Hotel Chefs in America.” Roy’s most recent endeavors include competing on the Food Network Show “Beat Bobby Flay,” where he successfully brought back a win to the Seattle area. He also authored Wine Country Chefs Table, a regional cookbook centered on the world premier wine making region of Napa and Sonoma valleys. Roy is a member of the James Beard Foundation and presently sits on the Board of Food Lifeline, Washington State’s largest hunger relief agency. 

He resides in North Bend, WA with his wife Pam. Roy is a true outdoorsman, having summited both Mt. Rainer and Mt. Baker in the same year, juxtaposed to growing up surfing and loving it to this day! The word that best describes Roy is: committed. 

As Senior Vice President of CH Golf, Shawn oversees the overall performance and growth of the golf portfolio for Columbia Hospitality, focusing on business development including valuation and appraisal of golf course projects, feasibility consulting, market analysis and evaluation as well as the operation of golf, food & beverage, and event facilities. 

Shawn brings a great depth of experience in private, semi-private and public clubs, resort and municipal course sectors.  

He is active in the local community and serves as a current city council member for the City of Port Orchard, where he also serves on the City’s Finance and Land Use Committee. Shawn also served on the national advisory committee for The First Tee, and as president of the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau and the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Shawn is a Methodist University graduate, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Professional Golf Management. 

Shawn lives in Port Orchard with his wife and two children and loves to cook and entertain at his house. Shawn also enjoys fishing, playing acoustic guitar with friends and, of course, golfing. 

Shawn has the unique ability to connect with people by listening first and being compassionate. The best word to describe Shawn is: jack-of-all-trades. 

As Vice Chair, Yogi focuses on Columbia’s growth in larger-scale and branded hotel and resort properties. 

Yogi’s background includes President and CEO of Coastal Hotels and COO at Noble House. There, he created a “culture of excellence”. Yogi also held senior management positions with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and ITT Sheraton, including Vice President of Operations – Washington and Oregon and General Manager of the Seattle Sheraton and the Sheraton Tucson El Conquistador Resort. 

Yogi is a former Executive Committee member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Visit Seattle board member, Chairman of the Downtown Seattle Association, Board of Governors for King County Boys and Girls Club, and past President of the 101 Club of the Washington Athletic Club. 

Yogi is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Urban and Regional Development. He is married to his wife of 39 years. They have three sons and four grandchildren. He loves to fish and golf, both taking him on global adventures. Yogi has a supernatural ability to relate to all people and the best word to describe Yogi is: knowledgeable.