The Resort at Pelican Hill
Keith Thompson, Vice President of Facilities
Beni Vines, Director of Catering and Conference Services
Beni Vines is Director of Catering and Conference Services for The Resort at Pelican Hill. Ms. Vines directs all catering and event logistics at the exclusive venue, from pre-planning to final execution for corporate and social groups, ranging from board meetings to Bar Mitzvahs. Prior to joining the resort, she served as director of convention services and catering at The Phoenician, a AAA Five Diamond resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. Ms. Vines also served as Director of Convention Services for
The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, also in Scottsdale.
Giuseppe Lama, Managing Director
Giuseppe Lama is Managing Director of The Resort at Pelican Hill. Mr. Lama has served in executive positions at some of the world’s finest boutique hotels, including Villa D’Este in Como, Italy. Before joining The Resort, Mr. Lama served as general manager of Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, where he directed the property’s opening. As managing director of The Resort at Pelican Hill, Mr. Lama oversees all aspect of the resorts operations.
Steve Friedlander, General Manager of Golf Operations
Steve Friedlander is General Manager of Golf Operations for The Resort at Pelican Hill. He has been a PGA Professional for more than 30 years and has been involved in the golf resort world for 20 of those years. Mr. Friedlander’s management experience includes the Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run golf courses in Kohler, Wisconsin, and The Duke's golf course in St. Andrews, Scotland. He managed the 2004 PGA Championship and multiple PGA tour events at Doral in Miami, as well as
a number of “made for television” events featuring PGA and LPGA tour players.
a number of “made for television” events featuring PGA and LPGA tour players.
Keith Thompson, Vice President of Facilities
Keith Thompson is Vice President of Facilities at The Resort at Pelican Hill. Mr. Thompson has more than 30 years’ experience as an electrician, having began his career with the Disneyland Hotel. Most recently, he served in director positions at Montage Laguna Beach and the former
Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach.
Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach.
Berna Leone, Director of Human Resources
Berna Leone is Director of Human Resources at The Resort at Pelican Hill. Originally, Ms. Leone worked in human resources in the health care industry. Later, she switched to the hospitality field, working for six years at Sutton Place Hotel in Newport Beach. In 2004, she joined the Irvine Company in 2004 in the Resorts Division, supporting Pelican Hill Golf Club and Oak Creek Golf Club.
Berna Leone is Director of Human Resources at The Resort at Pelican Hill. Originally, Ms. Leone worked in human resources in the health care industry. Later, she switched to the hospitality field, working for six years at Sutton Place Hotel in Newport Beach. In 2004, she joined the Irvine Company in 2004 in the Resorts Division, supporting Pelican Hill Golf Club and Oak Creek Golf Club.
Khalid Mirza, Director of Food and Beverage
Khalid Mirza is Director of Food and Beverage at The Resort at Pelican Hill. He has 30 years experience in the hospitality field. Khalid has a B.A. in mechanical engineering.
George Nickels, Director of Weddings
George Nickels serves as Director of Weddings for The Resort at Pelican Hill. He has more than 20 years’ experience in food & beverage and marketing. Most recently, Mr. Nickels worked at the Four Seasons Hotel, Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto, where he was Director of Catering
and Convention Services.
and Convention Services.
Jean-Pierre Dubray, Executive Chef
Jean-Pierre Dubray is Executive Chef at The Resort at Pelican Hill. He has more than three decades of experience in the culinary field, serving for 20 years as an Executive Chef in San Francisco. Most recently, Mr. Dubray was Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.
Beni Vines, Director of Catering and Conference Services
Beni Vines is Director of Catering and Conference Services for The Resort at Pelican Hill. Ms. Vines directs all catering and event logistics at the exclusive venue, from pre-planning to final execution for corporate and social groups, ranging from board meetings to Bar Mitzvahs. Prior to joining the resort, she served as director of convention services and catering at The Phoenician, a AAA Five Diamond resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. Ms. Vines also served as Director of Convention Services for
The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, also in Scottsdale.