San Diego Tourism & Hospitality Boom!

Ben Dollard is Constellation's President, Craft & Specialty Beer and a member of the beer leadership team. In this recently appointed role, Ben is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Constellation’s Craft & Specialty Beer business, including President of Ballast Point. Ben joined Constellation in 2001 as Senior Vice President marketing of Pacific Wine Partners (PWP), a joint venture between BRL Hardy of Australia and Constellation Brands. Ben was later appointed President of PWP where he played a key role in Constellation’s acquisition of Blackstone, Rex Goliath and Black Box, turning PWP into one of the fastest growing premium wine companies in the U.S. He later served as Senior Vice President of Constellation Brands International before being promoted to Chief Growth Officer. In this role, he was responsible for driving the growth agenda to include strengthening and aligning both resources and investments behind corporate strategy and business development. Most recently, Ben held the position of SVP – Chief Marketing Officer for the Wine & Spirits Division where he was responsible for developing brand strategies to stimulate consumer demand, create innovation and drive long-term revenue growth. Before joining Constellation Brands, Ben began his beverage career in Adelaide, Australia, with BRL Hardy Wine Company in international sales and marketing before moving to the company’s U.S. headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he assumed the position of company president.

Tiffany Cooper is the Senior Vice President, Development for the Americas for The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group. Tiffany is responsible for delivering growth to The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group by expanding the development pipeline and footprint for the Americas via quality hotel projects to include conversions, adaptive reuse and new build opportunities. Tiffany is a hospitality professional with over 20 years of experience, having begun her career working in sales & marketing/hotel operations for The Kimpton Group in early 1995. Tiffany joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 1999 and continued working in operations, leading sales teams for various Starwood properties until 2005 when she transitioned to the Real Estate Development Group for Starwood. During this time, Tiffany extensively grew Starwood’s portfolio, more than doubling the footprint throughout the Western Region. In September, 2016, following the Marriott acquisition of Starwood, Tiffany joined the Marriott International development team, focused on full service and luxury hotel development until moving to Kimpton in April 2018.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of The Robert Green Company, Mr. Green is responsible for managing all activities of the company. His responsibilities and areas of expertise include acquisition and feasibility analysis, transaction structuring, finance, development management, entitlement processing, design supervision, construction management, and operator interface and coordination. Formerly the Director of Development for Hillman Properties, his experience includes the design, construction and development of large-scale mixed-use, commercial office, and hospitality projects. Hotel and resort development have been the most notable project types that Mr. Green has developed or constructed throughout his career, and have been the focus of his activity. Mr. Green launched The Robert Green Company during the successful completion of the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad, (currently Park Hyatt Aviara), a 650,000 square foot resort complex with three restaurants and an 18-hole golf course. His other projects include the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley in Palo Alto, and the Four Seasons Resort, Jackson Hole. Projects currently under construction are the Pendry Hotel San Diego in the Gaslamp Quarter, the Kimpton Hotel in Hollywood, CA, Saggio Hills Resort & Residences in Healdsburg, CA and SilverRock Resort & Residences in La Quinta, CA. Projects currently in planning are the Fifth Avenue Landing Convention Center Hotel in San Diego, CA and Joie de Vivre Hotel in Mountain View, CA. Mr. Green has been a member of the Board of Management of the Magdalena Ecke YMCA in Encinitas for eight years, and served a two-year position as its Board Chairman. A husband and father of four children, Mr. Green also served for four years as member of the Nativity School Advisory Board in Rancho Santa Fe, and served for two years as its Board Chairman. Mr. Green graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He also received a Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California.

Mr. Wood’s key role is identifying new investment and development opportunities for Cisterra. His strategic and successful development oversight and years of experience structuring transactions is demonstrated through projects like the award-winning DiamondView Tower adjacent to Petco Park in downtown San Diego, the Sempra Energy Corporate Headquarters Building across from the ballpark, and the Gateway at Torrey Hills project in Del Mar. Mr. Wood’s other essential roles include overseeing leasing, financing and underwriting of all Cisterra projects. Prior to joining Cisterra in 2001, Mr. Wood was Director of Acquisitions and Development for Kilroy Realty Corporation where he participated in the acquisition and development of over $500 million in existing properties and new development opportunities. He also structured and negotiated over 1.5 million square feet of lease transactions. Mr. Wood’s experience also includes C.B. Richard Ellis where he underwrote real estate transactions, and Picus Associates in Princeton, New Jersey, where he helped develop and manage the 2,200 acre mixed-use Princeton Forrestal Center development. A 1993 graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Wood is also a former member of the United States National Rugby Team and former board member of the San Diego Downtown Partnership and National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) San Diego Chapter.

As the president of the newest addition to the MFG consortium, Manchester Texas Financial Group, Douglas W. Manchester represents Manchester Financial Group and all Texas holdings in the capital city of Austin, Texas. Manchester earned his BA in Political Science with a minor in Business from Wake Forest University. Following graduation, he has applied his business knowledge in all aspects of the hotel, insurance and real estate industries. This career path has led him to Austin to engage the firm in commercial real estate ventures and hotel development.

Adrienne Jubb joins Aimbridge Hospitality as Senior Vice President, Business Development leading a team to further drive growth in the Select Service and Enhanced Select Service Divisions and product categories throughout the Western US. Adrienne has an extensive background in hospitality real estate and a strong analytical thought process focused on strategic partnerships and growth. With a combined 10 years of success including as VP, Lodging Development with Marriott International and West Coast Managed Development at Starwood Hotels and Resorts, she excels at structuring complex transactions and using her vast network of industry connections to support hotel owners and prospective owners. Adrienne also has owner/operator, acquisitions, and operations experience and aligns with the Aimbridge value to “Think Like A Guest, Act Like an Owner” and welcomes the opportunity to review potential hotel opportunities utilizing her deep knowledge of the potential impact, brand growth, and investment opportunity. Adrienne enjoys serving the industry through her work on various industry panels, She Has a Deal (SHaD), the Women’s Hotel Investment Network (WHIN) and the Aloft Franchise Council. She received a Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration focused on Hotel Real Estate Finance, as well as a Bachelor of Arts with Honors degree in Sociology and German from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Derek Davis is President and shareholder of davisREED Construction. In 2002 Derek realized that he could do even more for the construction industry. Taking the best parts of what he gained from his first 20 years in the industry, he decided to start davisREED Construction with EE Reed and founded the company with a strong emphasis in hospitality construction. His general contracting experience is unmatched in the field regarding the breadth and scope of project experience from historical renovations to five start resorts. This graduate in Building Construction from University of Florida now has more than 35 years of experience leading teams from pre-construction through completion on numerous projects throughout the United States. Recently Derek has concentrated his energies on luxury projects, such as Vista Collina in Napa, The Pendry in San Diego and, Kimpton’s La Peer and Everly in Hollywood as well as various multi-family and mixed-use projects– dedicated to delivering the best. He sits on the Board for Ecke Family YMCA and is a strong supporter of many local events and charities. Derek is also a dedicated family man. Married to his wife Leesa for 23 years, they enjoy traveling and exploring with their two sons. He is also an avid fly fisherman, golfer and, we have to mention, a huge Star Wars fan.

A.J. Crane is a Regional Director at Sonder, overseeing growth across the Western Region of North America. In that capacity, A.J. leads a team of real estate professionals in the various Sonder markets throughout the region to help source and execute on new master lease opportunities for the company. With over 8,000 live units and 18,000 signed units in roughly 40 markets, Sonder is revolutionizing hospitality through design and technology, making a world of better stays open to all.

Robert J. Gdowski, AIA is a Design Principal and Managing Director with JCJ Architecture. As a versatile Architect and Planner, who excels within the cross-functional environments of Luxury Hospitality, Casino Gaming, and Mixed-Use Development, Bob is a guest experience-driven designer. He maintains a rich appreciation for the relationship between a destination’s brand, program and aesthetic and the importance of leveraging synergies between macro- and micro- environments. Before joining JCJ, Bob spent the previous six years living and working in Shanghai where he focused on the unparalleled growth of the hotel market throughout China. Prior to this, Bob practiced in Las Vegas, where his focus and passion for hospitality design originated. Throughout his career he has collaborated with a diverse range of international hotel and casino operators including: Four Seasons, Marriott, Hilton, Carlson, Wyndham, sbe Entertainment, Atlantis, Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts and Caesar’s Entertainment. From integrated resorts and mixed-use developments, to standalone hotels and brand development, Bob is a professional who combines exceptional leadership skills and a drive for collective success. Bob is a graduate of the University of Southern California where he received his Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Planning. About JCJ Architecture Founded in 1936, JCJ Architecture provides comprehensive architecture, planning and interior design services from offices across the nation, including 2 locations in California (Los Angeles and San Diego) where their roots date back to 1947. The firm specializes in hospitality design and has built a robust portfolio comprised of both independent and branded properties. An employee-owned firm, JCJ has consistently been ranked as a top design firm within the industry and has been recognized for consistent commitment to client service, attention to detail and effective project delivery.