A Hotel Management Company in San Diego

Anything but Expected

AZUL Hospitality Group was formed in 2007 with a vision to do things differently. To be anything but expected. What started as a four-person team in an Ocean Beach office has grown into the leading hotel management company in San Diego—with almost 4,000 people managing 53 open hotels and assets under development.

Our Leadership Team

Rick Mansur

Executive Chairman

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Rick Mansur

Executive Chairman

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. Long standing 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.

Alvaro Fraile

Chief Executive Officer

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Alvaro Fraile

Chief Executive Officer

In his role as Chief Executive 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.

Mark Crisci

President

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Mark Crisci

President

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.

Douglas Leiber

Chief Talent Officer | Principal

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Douglas Leiber

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 has 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.

Jeannie Porter

Chief Financial Officer

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Jeannie Porter

Chief Financial Officer

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.

Jason Durbin

Senior Vice President | Principal

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Jason Durbin

Senior Vice President | Principal

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.

Jeff Zogg

Senior Vice President | Principal

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Jeff Zogg

Senior Vice President | Principal

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.

Melissa Matthews

Senior Vice President | Sales

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Melissa Matthews

Senior Vice President | Sales

Melissa Matthews oversees sales and revenue for the company, maximizing top line revenues through a targeted analytic approach, premier talent acquisition, and strategic goal setting and planning. Additionally, she drives brand compliance and revenue management best practices across the portfolio for both existing and new build hotels.

Matthews has over 20 years’ experience in hospitality sales. Prior to joining AZUL Hospitality Group, she held various sales and event roles with Starwood, Hyatt, and Hilton managed properties, as well as Stanford Hotels and Evolution Hospitality. She holds a B.A. in International Relations and Affairs from Kennesaw State University

Stan Kaminski

Senior Vice President | Principal

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Stan Kaminski

Senior Vice President | Principal

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’s 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.

John Gates

Senior Vice President | Operations

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Mohsen Khaleghi

Vice President | Operations

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Mohsen Khaleghi

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 experience 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

Azure Tackert

Vice President | Marketing & eCommerce

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Azure Tackert

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.

Tackert has extensive experience in managing all aspects of hospitality marketing, increasing brand awareness through the development and implementation of cohesive marketing plans, and deployment of digital marketing, paid advertising, and public relations campaigns.

Prior to joining AZUL, Tackert founded and served for over ten years as the President and CEO of a boutique hospitality marketing firm, All Things Hospitality. Prior to her agency career, Tackert served in various hospitality positions including as an Area General Manager and Regional Director of Sales and Marketing.

Chris Draper

Vice President | Operations, Grand Pacific Resorts

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Chris Draper

Vice President | Operations, Grand Pacific Resorts

With 40 years operational experience in the hospitality industry, Chris truly finds it his passion. He has operational strengths in Food and Beverage with focus on large scale event planning, and execution depth of experience in Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management, driving top of market RevPar. He has a strong Food and Beverage acumen, with prominence in upscale as a Level II Register Sommelier with the Masters Court. He also has strength in leading teams with goal oriented results, being involved in 14 hotel openings and 8 acquisitions.

Tim Billing

Vice President | Operations

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Michael D’Amodio

Vice President | Operations

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Michael D’Amodio

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.

Adam Dahan

Vice President | Business Development

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Adam Dahan

Vice President | Business Development

As Vice President of Business Development, Adam is involved in all facets of the company’s growth including sourcing and executing new business opportunities, underwriting deals, management contracts, and client engagement. Additionally, he drives the budgeting process, forecasting, and special analysis across the portfolio. Prior to joining AZUL in 2015, Adam worked on restaurant development for concepts such as Umami Burger and 800 Degrees.

Adam is a graduate of the University of Redlands with a B.S. in Business Administration.