Meet the Team

Wurzak Hotel Group Leadership

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Howard Wurzak

Chairman & Co-CEO

Howard Wurzak

Chairman & Co-CEO

1. What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
From New York and started working at 14 in the catering business.

2. How do you want people to remember you?
Fair, demanding and hard working

3. What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
Dedication to my industry and job

Jake Wurzak

Co-CEO

Jake Wurzak

Co-CEO

1. What do you do Sunday Mornings?
On Sunday morings, you can usually find me playing tennis and hanging with the family at the beach!

2. If you could be anywhere else right now where would you be?
Paris or St. Barths with my family!

3. Do you have any talents most people don't know about?
I love extreme skiiing

Eric Davies

President

Eric Davies

President

Favorite Quote:
Success seems to be connected to action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit - Conrad Hilton

1. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…
I have two Sunday morning passions that depend on the time of year. In the Spring and Summer you can find me up early making breakfast watching a Formula 1 race. In the fall and winter, you can find me cooking breakfast and lunch for our tailgate crew as we prepare to cheer on my favorite team - the Philadelphia Eagles

2. What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
Loyalty, Passion, an Entrepenurial Spirit, and a Systematic Approach to problem solving

3. If you could be anywhere else right now, where would you be?
In Sicily sitting on a beach overlooking the Mediterranean Sea as the sun is setting

Charles Paloux

Chief Investment Officer

Charles Paloux

Chief Investment Officer

Favorite Quote:
Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck - Dalai Lama

1. What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
I grew up in Nice in the South of France which is a top tourist destination in the world so I certainly immersed pretty young. I fell in love with the industry with my first job - I was a pageboy at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes, a historic grand dame hotel

2. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…
You can usually find me running either on the boardwalk of Miami Beach FL or Asbury Park NJ

3. Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I'm pretty sure I wanted to be a surgeon - and I'm pretty sure I would be terrible at it considering my hands shake after 2 cups of coffee!

SENIOR TEAM

Ben Graupen

VP of Operations

Ben Graupen

VP of Operations

Favorite Quote:
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard

1. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…
On Sunday morning you will first find me at the gym getting a workout in while my family is asleep, so that I have the rest of the day to spend time with my wife and 2 children.

2. What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
I grew up in a small suburb south of Boston. My first job in Hospitality was as a dishwasher the summer before my Hotel & Restaurant Management studies at Drexel University began. Those early days of my career taught me so many lessons that I carry with me to this day.

3. What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
Exploring! Experiencing things that are new to me is a passion of mine- new restaurants, new beaches, new hotels, new cities.

Kelly Makino

VP of People & Culture

Kelly Makino

VP of People & Culture

Favorite Quote:
Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end. -Robin Sharma

1. What city are you from?
I was born in Philly and lived for a long time in Atlanta, New York City, and the beachy parts of Los Angeles - so all 4 of those cities feel like home.

2. How did you get started in the industry?
I got started in hospitality as a server and bartender as my side job while working as an MSW with kids and families in Title 1 schools. After working my way up as a clinical & training leader in the health space, I now use those skills as a full-time HR leader, making sure that WHG team members have a healthy professional home to thrive in!

3. What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?
Definitely eating! I adore the complexities of flavor and the companionship of shared meals. Cooking and baking are also something that my teenagers are passionate about, so culinary adventures bring us together as a family at home and away. We often plan our free time around our next meal, whether that is tromping around Little Osaka in LA, central Yucatán, or Reading Terminal Market in Philly

Mardi Morris

EVP of Finance & Accounting

Mardi Morris

EVP of Finance & Accounting

Favorite Quote:
You are never wrong for doing the right thing

1. What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
I grew up in the small mountain tourist town of Estes Park CO and moved to Aspen CO when I was in my early 20’s. Always living in towns that were tourist driven the hospitality industry was all I have ever worked in since I was 12 years old. I have work as an ice cream girl, housekeeper, all FB positions and everything inbetween then finally settling into hotel accounting with my start at a 5 start 5 diamond property in Aspen The Little Nell Hotel.

2. What is a cause you care about and why?
I am incredible passionate about family and kids. If I had 1 wish in this world it would be that all kids have a happy heathy safe home to go to bed in each night. I have 8 sons - 6 are adopted from the foster care system in Denver and 2 are from Haiti. They are all growing into incredible, successful young men that will no doubt will leave a very positive beautiful mark on the world in their own special way.

3. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…
Up early for a work out then in the kitchen cooking for a housefull of boys for the day and prepare meals for the week to come. Afternoons hanging in and around my pool and family time.

Stephen Hauber

VP of Revenue Management

Stephen Hauber

VP of Revenue Management

Favorite Quote:
"I was taught a month ago, To bide my time and take it slow but then I learned just yesterday, To rush and never waste the day well I'm convinced the whole day long, That all I learn is always wrong and things are true that I forget, But no one taught that to me yet - Trey Anastasio"

1. What is a cause you care about and why?
Childhood Food Insecurity and underserved communities. Nearly 1 in 6 kids (>12Million) in the US lives in a food insecure household with all 50 states impacted in both rural and urban areas. Child food insecurity rates in the US are higher than the overall rate.

2. How do you want people to remember you?
As someone that tried their best to be empathetic and supportive towards family, friends and strangers all the same. As someone that helped everyone around them to have more access to opportunities, develop their talents and make their world slightly better.

3. What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
Born in the suburbs of Philadelphia and raised in and around the city. Technically my first hospitality job was busboy at a diner when I was 12 years old. But my first hotel position was as a part time seasonal reservationist at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel while in school and worked my way up to Revenue Manager.

Ryan Toro

VP of Sales

Ryan Toro

VP of Sales

Favorite Quote:
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” —Babe Ruth

1.What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
I grew up in a small town in the northern/central part of Louisiana, where terrific food and southern hospitality was abundant. Technically, my first hospitality job was in retail over one summer during high school. My discovery (and love) of the hospitality industry came while attending Texas A&M University and working as a Front Desk Agent at the only full-service hotel in the city at the time. The people I’ve had the opportunity to work along side with over the past 20 years have hands down been the best part of my career and is what makes our industry so special.

2.What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?
Spending time with my senior lab/pitbull mix always the happiest part of the day while not working. I'm passionate about traveling, whether it's exploring my own backyard, visiting new states in the US, or going abroad.

3.If you could be anywhere else right now, where would you be?
Italy

CORPORATE SUPPORT TEAM

People team

a woman wearing glasses and a green jacket

Jazmine Grundy

Corporate Talent & Culture Manager

Jazmine Grundy

Corporate Talent & Culture Manager

James Ferguson

Corporate Director of Culture

James Ferguson

Corporate Director of Culture

My Favorite Quote:
"What you do speaks so loudly, I cant hear what you say."

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
My unique attribute would be my passion for people. As a former hotel General Manager I always said Im not in the hotel business, Im in the people business. So my focus throughout my career has always been to inspire and motivate people to be better versions of themselves, to see and be the example, and if we are able to do that everything else we strive for will become a direct result.

What are you happiest doing, when you're not working?
Im a proud girl dad, so spending time with my 3 girls and my Wife are my most valued and happiest moments. Whether it's time spent at the park, visiting a favorite museum, catching an Eagles or Sixers game, or watching Bluey on our couch, any moments shared with my girls will always put the biggest smile on my face.

How do you want people to remember you?
As a recent cancer survivor the thought of leaving a legacy has continued to be at the forefront of my thinking. Through that experience I decided to not allow my circumstances to determine my direction but instead to be positive, seek the good, and celebrate the journey. My hope is that through sharing my positive perspective I leave a lasting impression with everyone I meet.

Revenue team

Ross Faber

Regional Director Of Revenue Management

Ross Faber

Regional Director Of Revenue Management

Favorite Quote:
I never lose. I either win or learn.

1. What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
I grew up just outside of Columbus, Ohio and moved to Cincinnati shortly after High School. I got a job working the front desk at Kingsgate Marriott a few blocks from my house. I fell in love with the industry in that job. Working with hotels has offered me so many ways to connect with my interests and passions. I look at hotels as much more than a place to sleep or host an event. They are portals to the cities we love. Being able to help others discover new things in new places has been a tremendously rewarding part of my career.

2. Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Music has always been a significant part of my life. When I was growing up, I wanted to make it as a touring musician. Today, I still try to make as much time to play guitar as I can and I am grateful that music has led me to many lifelong friendships.

3. If you could be anywhere else right now, where would you be?
A new destination with great food, rich history, culture, and ideally somewhere warm and sunny. Really anywhere to explore and make memories with my family.

Finance team

Doug Covell

Corporate Controller

Doug Covell

Corporate Controller

Favorite Quote:
"Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." - C.S. Lewis

1. Flashback to when you were ten years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I wanted to be either a writer or a chef. Turns out that English was not my strong subject in school and I acquired a knife phobia - stay far away from them.

2. How do you want people to remember you?
I want to be remembered as a humble man - one of the greatest qualities a person can possess. But I recognize that I'm human and work at it daily.

3. What are you happiest doing, when you're not working?
Spending time at the beach with family and friends.

Riva Rhodes

Treasury Manager

Riva Rhodes

Treasury Manager

Favorite Quote:
"Those that don't got it, can't show it. Those that got it, can't hide it" ~ Zora Neal Hurston

1. Do you have any skills or talents that most people don't know about
Photography is a secret passion of mine

2. Flashback to when you were 10. What do you want to be when you grow up
I am supposed to be a lawyer (LOL)

3. If you could be anywhere else right now, where would you be
South of France

Inna Gushchina

Staff Accountant

Inna Gushchina

Staff Accountant

Favorite Quote:
Stay strong, stay positive, and never give up!

1. If you could be anywhere else right now, where would you be?
With my mom in Russia, I miss her a lot!

2. Do you have any skills or talents that most people don't know about?
I play piano and really enjoy playing and listening classical music. I love dancing and zumba is my passion. I even got license and now I am a zumba instructor

3. What do you think the best skills that you bring to your job?
Team work and collaboration; positive attitude and organized. Focusing on reaching the goal . Good asset - years of M3 experience and generally in accounting role.

Roy Dela Calzada

Accounts Payable Manager

Roy Dela Calzada

Accounts Payable Manager

Development team

Terra Chang

Development & Project Management

Terra Chang

Development & Project Management

Favorite Quote:
Please identify & share a favorite quote of yours that you enjoy or live by.

1. What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
I was born and raised in Santa Fe, NM. My background is in Architecture and Construction Management which ultimately led me to hospitality development and construction management.

2. What is a cause you care about and why?
Crime has a direct correlation to low quality education. I believe every child deserves a high quality education in effort to develop positive contributors to our communities.

3. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…
Sunday brunch is a big deal in our house. You can find me, my husband and our kids in the kitchen preparing food, or at our favorite brunch spots. "

Amanda Nanakorn

Sr Analyst

Amanda Nanakorn

Sr Analyst

Favorite Quote:
I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples - Mother Teresa

1. What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
L.A. - born and raised. Post-college I wanted to move to France and become a pastry chef. My mom didn't approve of the idea or the job offers I received so I secretly tutored kids at the local library while pretending to study for the nursing program, saved $700 and left home to pursue a life of long nights and hard labor - questionable decision. A sample of hospitality positions I've held - sushi chef, hotel front desk, B&C sever, bartender.

2. How do you want people to remember you?
Though my footsteps will be lost in the stream of time, I wish to leave a trail of kindness upon which others can build a path of hope.

3. What is a cause you care about and why?
Underserved communities - this is where I come from and whom I aim to impact. I will have a profitable business in the next 10 years to hire disadvanted people to make great products/services and raise the standard of living in communites across the globe.

Admin team

Meaghan Little

Executive Assistant, Office of the CEO

Meaghan Little

Executive Assistant, Office of the CEO

Favorite Quote:
“Nothing is better than going home to family and eating good food and relaxing.” –Irina Shayk

1. What are you happiest doing, when you're not working
Any time I am with my husband Simon, regardless of what we are doing or where we are, are my happiest times. But cooking dinner with him and traveling are my top favorites to make lasting memories. Add in when I am spending time with my 3 dogs and 1 year old niece, I am the happiest I can be. Family time is my favorite time.

2. If you could be anywhere else right now, where would you be?
On the hotel balcony in Napa where our wedding was, sipping on a really good Cab with Simon, Roxy, Malé and Honey (the 3 Amigo Little Puppies)

3. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me.....
Watching Formula 1 or NewCastle United soccer with Simon on our couch with the puppers, I have no remote control access on Sundays, but love every minute of it.

Clare Feraer

Executive Coordinator

Clare Feraer

Executive Coordinator

Favorite Quote:
"Ang palay ay parisan, habang nagkakalaman ay lalong nagpugpugay." - Filpino Proverbs
Be like a rice stalk, the more grains it bears, the lower it bows.

1. What city are you from and how did you get started in the industry?
I'm born and raised in the Philippines - the "Pearl of the Orient". I was a Tourism and Resort Management graduate, and pursued hospitality in the year of 2016. I used to work in casinos on the VIP marketing and games department, and was a front desk and reservations officer in a luxury hotel in the Philippines.

2. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…
I wanted to believe I'm a traveler, but I'm actually not! I spend my Sundays mostly at home, though when I have the extra energy you'll find me in the grocery store, or at the vet or somewhere in one of the 7,641 islands of the Philippines!

3. Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I wanted to become a flight attendant, I love traveling!