15 Things You Need to Know This Morning

Title: Founder/CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts
Photo: With son, Brett, in Bali. 
On the job: Over 10 years.
Organization: 3,000 employees; four resorts – Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Va., Innisbrook Resort in Tampa; Reunion Resort in Orlando, and Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Fla. Managing and developing two new projects: Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, Fla. (to open late spring 2016); and Tryon Resort in Tryon, NC. Properties collectively sit on over 5,000 acres. 
Memorable project: Opening Salamander in August 2013 after 11 years of planning, design, development, and construction. “True labor of love.”
Current project: Salamander selected as management company for 171-room luxury, beachfront resort in Destin, Fla., called The Henderson. Opening in late spring 2016. 
Grew up: Maywood, Ill. (Chicago suburb).
Current home: Middleburg – nation’s horse and hunt capital. 
Why DC: Job opportunities. Ended up teaching at Sidwell Friends. 
School: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
First job: Conducting orchestras for ASTA and teaching in five junior high schools in Woodbridge Township, NJ.
Daily habits: Walks with dog, Max, and meet with staff.
Favorite app: Camera+.
Favorite movie: The Butler (2013).
Favorite restaurant: Bombay Club. 
Favorite music: Earth, Wind & Fire.
Favorite vacation spot: Java & Bali (Indonesian islands).
Guilty pleasure: Eating anything chocolate.
Bucket list: Producing a feature film or documentary that receives an Oscar nomination. 
Family: Married 10 years to the Hon. William T. Newman Jr.; two adult children; and Max. 
Hobbies: Photography.
Startling fact: Previously worked as a theater actress.