Born in Coventry, England, Mr. Wood became interested in the hospitality industry at an early age. After receiving his degree in hospitality sciences from Henley College, he continued his formal training in luxury hotels in London and Paris.

In 1973, Mr. Wood moved to North America. After holding management positions in the Caribbean and Canada he became General Manager of the Edmonton Four Seasons Hotel in 1979. During his leadership, the hotel became the first Mobil Four Star city hotel in the Province of Alberta. He later managed the larger Calgary Four Seasons Hotel and adjoining Calgary Convention Centre.

In 1984, Mr. Wood became a senior partner and President of FMI Hospitality Systems, Atlanta, Georgia. FMI specialized in hotel operations’ consulting as well as supplying exclusive products to opening hotels. The company distributed internationally and maintained offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Atlanta. Clients included Walt Disney World, IBM, Nikko Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels, and Delta Hotels in Canada. He sold the firm in 1988.

Mr. Wood returned to resort management as Vice President of Resort Operations for Jack Nicklaus’ Golden Bear International, North Palm Beach, Florida. He oversaw all operations for the complex of Grand Cypress Golf Club, The Villas of Grand Cypress, and The Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf in Orlando, Florida. During his tenure, Golf Digest rated Grand Cypress as one of the top ten golf resorts in the USA.

In 1989, Mr. Wood accepted the position as the Managing Director of The Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas, a Rosewood property. At this time, The Mansion received the coveted Mobil Five Star Award and the AAA Five Diamond Award for both its hotel and restaurant operations and became a member of Relais & Chateaux.

The Mansion was then, one of only three hotels nationwide to hold these multiple awards. In 1991, under Mr. Wood’s leadership, The Mansion was voted by The Zagat Survey, as the #1 City Hotel in the United States. The hotel also consistently ranked in the top five in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Poll.

While with Rosewood, Mr. Wood was the senior executive responsible for the catering services for the G-7 Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations held in Houston in 1990, Queen Elizabeth’s Official Visit to Dallas in 1991, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s visit to Dallas in 1991. He also assumed additional responsibilities of managing The Hotel Bel Air, Los Angeles that was rated by The Zagat Survey as #1 City Hotel during his tenure. Mr. Wood was an active member of the development team for The Lanesborough, London.

In 1991, Mr. Wood accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer of North America for Orient Express Hotels. Responsibilities included Managing Director of The Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans, oversight of The Lodge at Vail, The Windermere Island Club on Eleuthera, and the overall development responsibility for North America including the acquisition process of The Charleston Place, Charleston, South Carolina. Under Mr. Wood’s guidance, The Windsor Court received the Mobil Five Star Award for its restaurant, the AAA Five Diamond Award for the hotel, and became the #1 City Hotel in the United States according to The Zagat Survey.

In 1994, London-based Forte Hotels’ division, Exclusive Hotels of the World, recruited Mr. Wood. The new division focused on refurbishing and dramatically improving the operations of its 18 luxury properties. Mr. Wood became Vice President of Operations/North America and began the task of improving the physical and operational standards of The Hotel Westbury and Plaza Athénée in New York, The Watergate in Washington, D.C., including the Watergate’s Mobil Five Star restaurant Jean-Louis, and The King Edward, Toronto. He was nominated for New York City Hotelier of The Year in 1997 by The Hotel Association of New York City.

He established and chaired the international committee to develop the physical and operational standards for Forte’s Exclusive Hotels of the World, a project that took more than a year to complete. Some of the Exclusive Hotels included: The Ritz Madrid, Plaza Athenee and George V, Paris, The Hyde Park Hotel and Browns Hotel, London and The Sandy Lane, Barbados. Later, after the Company was acquired in a takeover bid by London-based Granada, Mr. Wood assumed responsibility of divesting several of the Company’s North American assets.

Once that project was completed, he briefly joined London-based Chelsfield, LLC, with a view of developing a new luxury hotel group, starting with the renovations of The Westbury Hotels in New York and London. The properties in this venture were subsequently converted to luxury condominiums or leased out.

In January 1999, Mr. Wood joined long-time friends David and Christie Garrett as partner, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Garrett Hotel Group. The Company specialized in the development of small, historic “Super Luxury” properties. Based in Burlington, Vermont, Mr. Wood oversaw the Company’s four operating properties: The Point, Saranac Lake, New York, member of Relais & Châteaux and rated a Mobil 5 Star Hotel, Lake Placid Lodge, member of Relais & Chateaux, Lake Placid, New York, The Willcox, Aiken, South Carolina, and The Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe, New Mexico. He served as President and COO from 1999-2008.

Mr. Wood’s particular interests include developing staff training and retention programs, implementing marketing programs, such as the successful Guest Chef and Vintner Weekends, and elevating the operational and financial standards of super-luxury hotels. He also has extensive experience in the development of new properties and spearheading expansion into management services.

Mr. Wood has always been an active leader in the hotel industry. In Edmonton, he served as President of the Edmonton Convention and Tourism Authority and while in Calgary, Mr. Wood served on the boards of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Advisory Board for Tourism for the Government of Alberta.

He served on the board of Relais & Chateaux North America from 1989-1991, the board of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide from 1991-1994 where he was Chairperson of the Public Relations Committee in 1992 and Nominating Committee in 1993 and 1994. He served on the Marketing Advisory Board for Leading Hotels of the World from 1992-1995. In 1998, he became a trustee of the Hotel Association of New York’s Pension Fund and a member of its Strategic Planning Committee. He is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux.

Philip Anthony Wood has also completed several executive management courses at Harvard Business School, Harvard University, and the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University where his picture appeared on the cover of the Hotel School’s promotional piece for executive management continuing education.

A career hospitality industry professional, Gayle Schwartz Swain guides senior level sales and marketing initiatives with the insight, vision and intrinsic dedication necessary to inspire, motivate and deliver poignant results. A career spanning over 25 years, Gayle began her illustrious career in New Orleans as the Regional Director of Sales at the Fairmont Hotel.

Extensive personnel training, management and strategy building in key hospitality sales positions has elevated Gayle’s success to notable heights. Significantly maximizing revenue and profitability, surpassing sales goals between 10%-30% yearly, Gayle has continually left her recognizable stamp on each and every distinguished hotel in her portfolio.

Gayle brought her extensive knowledge and know-how to Windsor Court Hotel, in 1989, as Director of Sales Development. There, Gayle assumed a leadership role in the management and training of an exceptionally effective sales team. Case in point, Gayle achieved the highest ADR within the local hotel community and nationally for a AAA five diamond hotel, the Windsor Court, which was awarded Conde Nast Traveler Magazine's award for the Top Ten of the Best Hotels of the World consistently during her tenure. 

As her career moved positively forward, Gayle further developed her skills and delivered ongoing results as Director of Product Marketing for Quikbook.com/Travel Planners.  Utilizing her expertise for marketing on third-party Internet sites, direct marketing and revenue management, Gayle effectively increased market-share with the signature style of sales and development that previous properties had experienced. Her passion for setting shared goals and meeting them in the most significant manner possible is what helps set Gayle apart.

By 1997 Gayle had joined Ambassadors Performance Group as Director of Sales planning citywide conventions for National Associations and Corporations throughout the US.  She diligently negotiated hotel contracts, planned site inspections, developed working relationships between the hotel communities, and aptly managed on-site housing during conventions.

Coming full circle, Gayle brings her extensive hospitality experiences, seasoned expertise and superior  problem-solving skills to Arden Grove Hospitality by way of forward-thinking sales and marketing leadership. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Arden Grove, Gayle is destined to take the luxury properties under the Arden Grove name and defy ordinary expectations; instead, she’ll reach beyond.

While pursuing a fine art education, Melisa came to the hospitality industry by chance, but found a niche that has served her well. In 1983, she became the head trainer and Captain for a popular restaurant in Des Moines, Iowa. Upon moving back to New York State, she entered the world of banking, once again taking on the task of preparing new employees for their job responsibilities.

Missing the customer interaction one finds in hospitality, Melisa found an opportunity to become a partner and assist in the managing of an Adirondack establishment called High Peaks Base Camp, a restaurant, theatre, music venue and bar. Here Melisa was able to combine her love of the arts and her passion for service.

In 1991, Melisa accepted the position of General Manager of the Depot Theatre, a professional theatre company also located in the Adirondacks. Here she became heavily involved in union negotiation, systems development, historic building preservation, marketing and fundraising. One of her greatest achievements was the development of the Volunteer Guild, which brought retirees into the organization allowing them to feel productive and the Theatre to remain solvent. She was also heavily involved in student outreach programs, bringing disadvantaged area youth to the arts through a variety of apprenticeship programs, which culminate in an annual Apprentice Show, produced and staged by apprentices for the public.

As non-profit economics required more and more fund raising each year and therefore more of Melisa’s attention, she was forced to spend less time with the students and volunteers. She realized her true passion lay in the field of Human Resources so she went back to school and enrolled in Plattsburgh State University’s internationally accredited business program where she achieved a Business Management degree.

Shortly after graduating with honors, she joined the prestigious Garrett Hotel Group. It was here that she proved what she long suspected, great hotels are like great theatre; the customer never sees what is happening behind the curtain.

In order to have a world-class hotel, one needs a world-class staff with the right attitude, that is fully trained to perform their job and is compensated fairly for their efforts. To achieve this, Melisa traveled throughout the United States and Europe looking for the right attitude, she assisted in the procurement of visas. She also helped the properties define their quality standards and assisted them in developing and achieving the systems necessary to achieve those goals. As a Certified Trainer she was solely responsible for the globally cultural guest service training and management skills training. She also implemented a comprehensive, affordable benefit package.

Melisa’s favorite moment in the work place is when an employee not only gets it, but implements their passion for service and creates exceptional experiences for the customer.

Stan Bromley's substantial hospitality career has garnered him the insight and natural instincts responsible for his relentless pursuit of unparalleled customer service and exacting attention to detail. Any attempt to construct a narrative around Stan's illustrious career would best start after his successful attendance at the highly influential Swiss Hotel School in Lausanne.

Soon after graduation, Stan returned to America where he joined Sonesta Hotels in Food and Beverage management positions in Washington, Boston, Nassau and Key Biscayne. Building on those successes, he then opened the Stanford Court Hotel in San Francisco in 1971 as its Food and Beverage Director.

Stan worked through senior management positions having later joined the Hyatt Corporation acting as Food and Beverage Director, opening General Manager, Corporate Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations and, finally, Regional Vice President and General Manager for assorted Hyatt properties.

By 1982, Mr. Bromley's unprecedented reach and success enabled a perfect future career fit when he joined Four Seasons Hotels as Regional Vice President and General Manager at the Four Seasons Clift in San Francisco. Simultaneously, Stan managed regional duties including overseeing properties in Seattle, Newport Beach and Santa Barbara.

Stan parlayed his successful mechanism for converting performance-charged management and pragmatic oversight into becoming Regional Vice President and General Manager at the Four Seasons in Washington, D.C. in 1989 where his regional duties included oversight of properties in Boston, The Pierre Hotel in New York, Four Seasons New York and Palm Beach.

2001 saw Bromley managing the much anticipated opening of the Four Seasons' new hotel in San Francisco. Additionally, Stan maintained regional responsibilities over the Four Seasons properties in Las Vegas, Scottsdale and Jackson Hole.

Within its first year, the San Francisco hotel quickly earned widespread acclaim. The hotel's accolades included:

2005 Mobil Five-Star Award (first ever earned in the first year of the hotel)
#1 Hotel in San Francisco, 2004 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards
#1 Hotel in San Francisco, 2004 Zagat Survey
Gold List, 2004 Conde Nast Traveler
Top 20 U.S. City Hotels, 2004 Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report
#4 Big City Hotel in North America, 2004 Departures Reader's Favorites Survey

Now with Arden Grove Hospitality Group, Stan remains perched on his relentless pursuit of exacting management and attention to detail for success-based outcomes. Stan's early successes grew into career-long personal and business achievements that will benefit each individual property. Helping spot momentum beyond individual contributions, Mr. Bromley will consult on opportunities that will find individual property success is the result of the sum of collective parts.

Brianne culminates 10 years of development experience with measurable drive and ability to reach long term, shared resort and community goals.

Between 2005 until 2008, Ms. Parham served as Director of Development with Intrawest Resorts Inc.; which included condo, hotel, and fractional hospitality properties in Mammoth Lakes, CA and Napa, CA.  (Starwood Hotels).  Prior to joining Intrawest, she served as an associate with EDAW, focusing on master planning of premium resort, residential, and mixed-use opportunities largely across the Western half of the United States.  Ms. Parham holds an undergraduate degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and a Masters in Business Administration from Daniels College of Business, University of Denver.

Brianne's primary responsibilities with Intrawest included management of all phases of the development process from inception to delivery.  Facilitation and coordination of all internal and external team members as well as being primary respondent for project financial and schedule performance certainly brought successes, but through feasibility analyses, investment analyses, approvals, design, construction, marketing and sales, and operations revenue recognition, a well-rounded immersion in the position showed results beyond expectation.  In 2006, as a result of Ms. Parham's commitment to the team and enactment of core values, Intrawest bestowed upon her the reward of “Employee of the Year” for the Southwest Region.

Successful experiences have led to strong integration of financial, valuation, and market analyses meeting set directives unique to each experience. In doing so, Ms. Parham delivers results based on fowward-thinking final strategies and recommendations for holding, selling, or redevelopment.  Her industry-sought confidence leads and communicates on all levels, both within and external to the respected organizations she has graced.  More importantly, knowing when and how to participate with a team, not just leading, Brianne finds to be  absolutely necessary in pushing a project forward with performance-driven expectations in mind.

Ms. Parham is currently the Director of Development with Arden Grove Hospitality and Terroir Capital, LLC.  She is responsible for the management of hospitality development opportunities within the portfolio and continues to use her dedication to the industry to take each task and goal to the highest levels of performance.