San Diego Hospitality Development Takeoff

Thomas is responsible for maximizing operating results and investment returns of a portfolio of hotel and mixed-use assets as well as assessing new hotel development opportunities in North America. He has over 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including extensive multi-unit hotel operating experience, and has worked for the world’s top two hotel companies—Hilton Hotels Corporation and InterContinental Hotels Group. Prior to joining Portman, Thomas was Vice President of Sales and Operations at F & F Realty Ltd., where he was responsible for the operational growth, and management of day-to-day operations of all hospitality properties. He earned a B.S. in Hospitality Management from East Stroudsburg University and is a current member of the IHG Owners Organization. He was past Chairman of the Board of the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association, and a recipient of the Silver Life Achievement award from the New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolent Association. Thomas is also an Eagle Scout recipient.

A highly energetic, highly spirited, innovative professional with 25 years of executive management experience who enjoys the challenge of working in an exciting, entrepreneurial-focused organization with a team environment. Excellent leadership, marketing, organization and communication skills. Perceptive problem-solver able to evaluate trends quickly and respond promptly. Able to provide the strategic vision and tactical ability to maximize shareholder value, enhance P&L scenario, build dedicated teams, and penetrate competitive markets. Through experience and educational pursuits, recognized as a leader in sales, marketing, general management as well as resort and hotel development.

Joe Terzi began his hospitality career with ITT Sheraton Corporation in 1972. During his tenure with the company, he distinguished himself as General Manager for a diverse set of hotels from coast-to-coast. Shortly after the acquisition of ITT Sheraton by Starwood in 1998, Terzi was promoted to Vice President of Operations with responsibility for all Starwood brands in California and Nevada. In 2002, he was promoted to Senior Vice President for Starwood Hotels & Resorts where he remained until his retirement in January, 2009. In recognition of his performance and leadership, Terzi received numerous awards during his tenure in hotel management, including twice helming Sheraton Corporation’s Hotel of the Year at the Sheraton Seattle and Sheraton San Diego. In addition, he was honored with the ITT Ring of Quality, the highest award given for exceptional leadership. Terzi was recruited to fill the role of President and CEO for the San Diego Tourism Authority in March 2009. Under his stewardship, the San Diego Tourism Authority has received numerous industry recognitions and the destination has been recognized by such notable organizations as National Geographic, Money Magazine, and Worth. The San Diego Tourism Authority is recognized as one of the best in the business and continues to set the standard for Destination Marketing Organizations. Terzi was a founding member of the San Diego Tourism Marketing District and serves on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Travel Association, California Travel Association, Visit California and several other local organizations. Joe Terzi and his family have resided in Poway, CA for 25 years.

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. Turman is Senior Vice President, Lodging Development for the Western United States Region. He is located in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Turman joined Marriott International in 1986 and has 29 years of service with the company in a wide range of hotel, regional, and corporate-based positions in operations and sales.

Bob serves as CEO of RAR Hospitality. He is an internationally recognized hotelier with over 40 years of hospitality-related management experience. Recognized by his "hotel guru," moniker, Bob shares insights and industry trends at www.hotelguru.com. He has held nearly every position in the hotel business including General Manager of full-service four Diamond hotels for Hilton and Embassy Suites. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration from Western International University and a master’s degree in Tourism Administration from Arizona State University. He is a Certified Hotel Administrator and has served as chairman of numerous tourism organizations nationally and locally (San Diego and Phoenix) and is editorial advisor and board member for CCR-Magazine and Destination Elite. Bob has been directly involved in developing several hotels including the Del Mar Marriott, Hilton Hotel Gaslamp Plaza, Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad, Hilton Hotel Santa Clara and several Marriott resort hotels. In addition to being the "Hotel Guru" he publishes Hospitality Innsights, an electronic newsletter and is a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University where he teaches Hospitality Entrepreneurship.

A graduate of Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, David formed McCullough Landscape Architecture as a sole proprietorship in 1999 while consulting for another firm. After wife and partner, Catherine joined the business in 2001 and became Chief Executive Officer and President in 2002; the firm became a woman-owned corporation and a certified Small Business by the State of California. With offices in San Diego and the Bay Area, McCullough creates spaces for hospitality, retail, mixed-use and institutional properties around the world. As principal landscape architect, David oversees all aspects of the design and production of firm projects at McCullough. He serves as head designer on all projects and maintains quality control on all work completed. Previous projects have earned awards and recognition in several national publications. David finds time in his schedule to take leadership in creative organizations such as the the San Diego Architecture Foundation (SDAF) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) local Urban Design Committee. He currently serves as Chair of the Pecha Kucha Night program, which is on its sixth successful year. He finds it inspiring to take part in such a diverse mix of creative minds while bringing them together to share with the public their wild ideas. In addition, recently David was appointed by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer to serve on the Historical Resources Board as Chair, which governs the identification, protection, retention and preservation of historical sites in San Diego. Concurrently, he has been invited to serve on the city’s Code Monitoring Team (CMT). David’s design philosophy is centered around merging context and creative passion with grit, soul, and style. The firm takes every project with a uniquely creative approach that centers around diversity, discovery and conservation. David feels it’s important to engage the human spirit with nature, while expressing empathy. Recent projects include a large waterfront development in Shanghai, China, Seaport San Diego redevelopment, several multifamily projects in Calgary and Vancouver, along with other notable hospitality, entertainment, and mixed-use collaborations in the Western US and Canada.

Terry is a 34-year construction veteran who has a solid reputation built on integrity and a track record of success. He has completed projects for developers and end users such as Four Seasons Resorts, Omni Hotel, Embassy Suites, Marriott, The Ivy Hotel (now Andaz San Diego), and Barona Resort & Casino. He has overseen over 25 million square feet of construction combined, which includes hospitality, historical renovations, restaurants, medical, and office projects. Terry has been on the Board of Directors for Downtown San Diego Partnership for 18 years. Terry’s knowledge and experience combined with his dedication to achieving the highest standards of excellence and total client satisfaction from project start to finish has made TSA Contracting a progressive leader in construction.

As the principal of her eponymous design firm, Nadia Geller has curated the design experiences of sales galleries, show houses, community areas and model homes across the country. In addition to her work with the country’s top builders and developers, Geller has designed offices, private residences and luxury events for a discerning clientele. Known as an industry “shape-shifter”; Nadia Geller has the broad design chops to create a range of gorgeously finished interiors that are specific to their inhabitants. Born in Chicago, Geller honed her design pedigree in New York City. With her first position out of university at ABC Carpet and Home in Manhattan, she helmed the mecca’s team of creative all stars in the Visual Merchandising Department. As her reputation for fashioning trendsetting vignettes and homes grew, so did her clientele. In 2003, she formed Nadia Geller Designs. The award winning firm is the home to a team of talented designers, project managers and skilled craftsmen. Having worked on over 100 episodes of television, Geller is also nationally recognized and respected as a host and designer on Emmy nominated programs such as ‘Trading Spaces’, and ‘While You Were Out’ for TLC. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.