John Gates is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Azul Hospitality Group. In this role, he oversees a diverse portfolio of properties and serves as a key liaison between brand partners, ownership groups, and on-site teams. John specializes in revitalizing underperforming assets, driving top-line revenue growth, elevating service standards, and enhancing physical property conditions.
Throughout his career, John has successfully launched numerous lifestyle and full-service hotels. Notably, he led the openings of the Sheraton Redding and the AC Hotel Biltmore, both of which earned “Opening of the Year” recognition from Marriott.
Since joining Azul in 2018, John has managed properties across a wide range of sizes and service levels. Prior to this, he served as General Manager at JC Resorts, where he led the repositioning of two luxury resorts: Surf & Sand Resort and Rancho Bernardo Inn. His deep background in luxury operations with Loews Hotels, combined with his expertise in revenue management at JC Resorts, makes him a well-rounded leader in both sales and service.
John is a graduate of Penn State University, where he earned his degree in Hospitality Management.