Sarah Spiegel recently assumed the role of CEO for Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels at the beginning of July. Prior to that, she held the position of President of US Retail and Chief Operating Officer for Caribou and Einstein’s. Sarah joined the organization as Einstein Bros. Brand President and Chief Concept Officer in April 2015. Sarah brings over 17 years of experience leading strategy and operations initiatives across restaurant, retail and CPG organizations, both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining Caribou and Einstein’s, Sarah served as EVP, Portfolio Group at Bain Capital, where she partnered with leadership teams at companies such as Bloomin’ Brands and Dunkin’ Brands to build and execute growth strategies across all functions of the business. Prior to Bain Capital, Sarah was Director of Strategy at LEGO Group. Sarah holds an MBA from Stanford and an undergraduate degree from Princeton. Sarah lives in Denver with her husband Sean, her children Connor (7) and Samantha (4), and their yellow Lab Roscoe.

Tyler Carlson is a Managing Principal, manages Evergreen’s Denver office and leads the acquisition and development of all commercial properties in Colorado. During his tenure with Evergreen, Tyler has been involved in all facets of real estate development from initial site identification and contract negotiation through construction close out and tenant opening across a multitude of projects throughout the country. Tyler has significant experience in structuring joint ventures and public private partnerships, the financial underwriting of complex real estate transactions and an extensive network of tenant, consultant, government, owner and brokerage relationships. He is a licensed and active real estate broker in Colorado and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Tyler graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brigham Young University with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Economics and earned a Master’s of Real Estate Development (MRED) from the University of Southern California, graduating at the top of his class. Tyler joined Evergreen in 2003.

As a 20-something bartender and waiter in the early 1990’s, Robert Thompson bounced from the US to the UK, gaining experience in restaurants and pubs where he sowed the seeds for his future passion. In 1997 at the age of 26, Robert opened his first restaurant, a dual concept called Buffalo Billiards & Havana Lounge in Nashville, launching what would become a lifelong career in hospitality.

Punch Bowl Social was imagined by Robert Thompson after an extensive career of conceptualizing and operating both large-format eatertainment brand and independent boutique restaurants. Following the successful openings of nine different restaurant concepts, Robert began to actualize his vision for Punch Bowl Social early 2010 but it took three years of real estate searches, design iterations and funding discussions before the first location opened in Denver’s historic Baker neighborhood in November 2012. With lines around the block starting on day one, it was clear that Punch Bowl Social had struck a chord with young diners and drinkers seeking something authentic and out-of-the-ordinary. Since then, Robert and his team have opened 10 additional locations across the US and employ more than 1,600 team members. Each new Punch Bowl Social is designed specifically for the local market with an atmosphere that perfectly aligns with its brand personality. By the end of 2018, Punch Bowl Social will open another six new locations, in cities including Dallas, San Diego, Washington, DC and Chicago.

In 2017, Ernst & Young recognized Robert’s contribution to the hospitality industry by naming him a recipient of the prestigious Entrepreneur of The Year® 2017 award in the Mountain Desert region. Punch Bowl Social has been honored by a number of awards and recognitions including Fast Company Magazine’s Most Innovative Companies in the World 2018, the 2017 Inc. 5000 list of fasting-growing private companies in America, and Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2017 Next 20 Brands to Watch and as one of their 2015 Breakout Brands.

Born in Mississippi, Robert still loves traveling to explore the roots of southern cuisine, adding to his collection of tweed vests, going for long, mind-clearing runs and spending every free moment with his wife, Mia and their sons.

With 12 years of management experience, an undergrad degree in hospitality and an MBA from the University of Denver, Nicole is a guru in hospitality business leadership. She formerly helped open award-winning luxury hotels in Vail, created service cultures from scratch, and increased revenues through pricing and marketing strategies as Senior Director of Revenue Management for Sage Hospitality. Now she's proud to be wearing the many hats of a entrepreneur, including full-time “restaurant Mom” to the Nocturne team and strategic planner for future growth of the company.

Josh Wolkon opened Vesta in 1997 in Lower Downtown, Denver. At age 25, he was driven by blind ambition to open his dream restaurant, eventually creating a “Vesta Vibe” of positive energy, genuine hospitality, philanthropy and fun that has paved a successful path for his restaurant group, Secret Sauce Food & Beverage. Vesta has consistently been recognized as one of Denver’s best restaurants and remains a staple for first dates, engagements and celebrations. Ten years after opening Vesta, the management team opened Steuben’s Food Service, named after a historic Boston restaurant owned by Josh’s great uncles and serving regional American cuisine from lobster rolls to green chili cheeseburgers to fried chicken. The Steuben’s Food Truck launched in 2009, helping to inspire the food truck phenomenon in Denver. In 2012, the team opened Ace Eat Serve, with 12 ping-pong tables, an outdoor patio, and a menu of bar food, noodles, soups and snacks inspired by the cuisine of Southeast Asia. In 2016, a second Steuben’s opened in Old Town Arvada, bringing the concept to the northwest side of town. Josh is a founding board member of EatDenver, a nonprofit organization of locally-owned independent restaurants on the Front Range. He is a recipient of Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Top Business Professionals award, as well as the Colorado Restaurant Association’s Outstanding Professional award. He and his wife, Jen, received the Business Honoree award at Urban Peak’s Maverick Thinkers Gala in 2014. Josh and Jen live in the foothills of Denver with their two sons.

Larry directs investment sales and real estate banking activities throughout

Transwestern's Mountain Region. In partnership with Brad Cohen, the team's

primary focus is originating, structuring and executing commercial investment sales

and capital market transactions for institutional, corporate, and private owners of

commercial real estate.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Larry has 15 years of commercial real estate experience in investment sales

brokerage, representing both private and institutional clients in the sale of over $1.5

Billion in aggregate value. Since joining Transwestern in 2010, he and his

business partner have quickly become one of the most formidable investment

sales teams in the market and have been consistently ranked among the top

five percent of Transwestern producers nationwide. In 2013, Larry and

Brad completed the largest office sale transaction (6.2 million square feet)

that had occurred in the U.S. since 2011.

Prior to joining Transwestern, Larry was recognized as a top producer for both

Marcus & Millichap and Grubb & Ellis. In 2011, Larry was recognized nationally

within Transwestern, receiving the “Young Gun Award”. In 2013, Larry received the

honor of Chairman’s Club as a top 25 producer at Transwestern.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/RECOGNITION

Urban Land Institute (ULI)

International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)

Denver Metropolitan Commercial Association of Realtors (DMCAR)

Brokers Benefiting Kids (BBK) – 2007 Chair

CoStar Power Broker

DMCAR #5 Investment Sales Team

Transwestern National Champions Club

Transwestern National Transaction of the Year

Transwestern National Rising Star Award

Transwestern Denver Most Dispositions (multiple years)

Transwestern Denver Engagement of the Year

Grubb & Ellis Top Producer

Marcus & Millichap Top Producer

EDUCATION

Larry received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the

University of Kansas. Larry was named Academic All-Conference while playing

football for the University of Kansas. Larry holds a Juris Doctorate from the

University of Denver. He is a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker.

Edward Mace was named President and CEO of Silverwest in 2014. In 2013, Ed co-founded Silverwest Hotel Partners, LLC (“SWHP”), a privately owned hotel operating and development company. SWHP was formed to establish and sponsor investment partnerships aiming to develop, own and operate a successful portfolio of hotel investments for the benefit of SWHP’s investment partners. SWHP is one of the ownership entities of Silverwest

In 2006, Ed formed Mace Pacific Holding Company, LLC (“Mace Pacific”), working closely with investors in the acquisition and repositioning of branded and independent and luxury hotels and resorts. Prior to Mace Pacific, Ed had a successful career with some of the most iconic hotel brands in the industry.

From 2001 to 2006, Ed was President of RockResorts, the legendary hotel brand that grew out of a series of resorts originally developed by Laurance Rockefeller. Vail Resorts (NYSE:MTN) acquired RockResorts in 2001 and immediately appointed Ed to develop and operate the owned and managed hotels within the luxury brand as well as to lead the growth of the management company. He was also President of Vail Resorts Lodging Company, responsible for the portfolio of independent hotels, condominium rental programs, private clubs and the Grand Teton Lodge Company (operating hotels and facilities under agreement with the U.S. National Park Service).

Prior to Vail Resorts, Ed was President and CEO of Fairmont Hotels. After overseeing nearly $300 million in renovations to some of the brand’s most iconic hotels including The Plaza in New York and The Fairmont in San Francisco, Ed led a merger with Canadian Pacific Hotels (CP) to form the largest luxury hotel company in North America. Following the merger, he was appointed President of Fairmont’s U.S/Mexico Division. Ed’s career at Fairmont began in 1996 as EVP before becoming COO and later appointed CEO. In 2000, he was named Vice Chairman of the combined company and led the company’s global growth strategy and development.

As McWHINNEY’s lead marketing officer, Keo is responsible for developing the vision and executing a strategic, integrated marketing and public relations platform for the company and all of its initiatives. Keo also leads both the internal development of key marketing initiatives as well as activates and develops relationships with key partners.

Prior to joining McWHINNEY, Keo ran two successful marketing businesses in Colorado, using her expertise in media strategy, marketing campaign execution, research and data analysis and social media management to shape a variety of notable Colorado brands including United Airlines, Forest City Stapleton, Five Points Business District, the City and County of Denver, Xpedx, CU, DU and Shaw Construction.

As co-owner of Gravitas, Ryan strives to create projects that enhance communities, effect inspiration and act as platforms for members of the community to interact with each other and their city.

It’s with this spirit in mind that Ryan has created The Ramble Hotel, a 50-room boutique hotel in Denver’s River North Neighborhood. Set to open in early 2018, Ryan is currently spending his time bringing the brand, building and vision to life.

Gravitas has developed notable projects in many of Denver’s most sought-after urban neighborhoods including Ballpark, Berkeley, Lower Highland, RiNo, West Highland and Wash Park West. Gravitas has been recognized by the Urban Land Institute, as a finalist in the Impact Awards and the Downtown Denver Mayor’s Design Awards, as a winner in the Distinctive Denver category.

David Kaplan is the founder and co-owner of Death & Company, a New York City nightlife destination, as well as the founder and co-owner of Proprietors LLC, a full service hospitality consulting company, with Alex Day and Devon Tarby.

David has worked in the hospitality business since the age of 13. In the summer of 2006, he opened Death & Company, a cocktail bar in the Eat Village of Manhattan. At the 2010 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards Death & Co won American’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu. The Death & Co book, written by David, Alex and Nick Fauchald, hit shelves on October 7th 2015. The book was nominated for an IACP award in the Global Design category, for a James Beard award in the Beverage category, and for best new cocktail book at the 2015 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.

Shortly after opening Death & Co David formed a new company in partnership with Alex Day, Proprietors LLC, a consulting company with hospitality and cocktail focus. Proprietors has consulted on flavour profiles for new spirits, art directed spirit and product launches, created cocktail portfolios for new brands, and opened bars and restaurants all over the country and abroad. Most recently Proprietors partnered with Chef Alain Ducasse to launch Skyfall and Rivea, a lounge and restaurant on the top floor of the Delano Hotel in Las Vegas.

David co-owns bars Death & Co, and Nitecap in New York, and Honeycut, The Normandie Club, and The Walker Inn in LA.