Key Team
At Bellstar, our corporate strength is derived from our team synergy. Our "Bellstars" bring diverse backgrounds, a wide range of expertise and a passion to perform that makes the organization what it is. We like to say "It's not the number of stars you have - it's how brightly you shine".
Ed Romanowski - Founder / President & Chief Executive Officer / Director / Executive Team
Bellstar Hotels & Resorts and Bellstar Developments Inc.
Ed's tourism and hospitality career spans over 30 years in government, management consulting, business start-ups, development, and operations. He founded Bellstar in 2003. Ed is an accomplished executive responsible for implementing hundreds of development, marketing, operations, financing, organization development, and planning projects for resorts, hotels and tourism projects principally in Alberta and British Columbia. Ed has guided and overseen Bellstar's growth from only one resort property under management in 2004 to 12 in 2010. All of these are condo resorts where consumers have purchased whole or fractional units and contract Bellstar to manage the property and operate them as a hotel resort. Read more...
Jon Zwickel - Executive Vice President / Director / Executive Team
Bellstar Hotels & Resorts and Bellstar Developments Inc.
Jon brings over 40 years of hospitality industry experience to the Bellstar management team. A third generation hotelier, he started his career in his family hospitality business “carrying suitcases and trays” at a very young age. He expanded the award-winning management company though the early 1980’s by structuring Wall Street-funded equity partnerships to acquire under-performing hotels. He then managed their turn-around through a disciplined program of renovation, re-positioning, re-branding and operational controls. After successfully repeating this model with 11 properties in New York, Vermont and Florida, the U.S. tax laws changed and the hotels were profitably sold. Read more...
Jason Pechet, Executive Vice President, Operations / Executive Team
Jason is a third generation hotelier, with extensive hands-on experience in the hospitality and entertainment industries. He is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. During his eight years with Mayfield Hospitality, Jason has overseen the development, opening, and management of successful operations in Alberta and British Columbia. Jason recently joined the Bellstar Team in 2007 as Executive Vice President, Operations.
Patti Smith - Chief Financial Officer
Patti joined Bellstar in the summer of 2009 after she had established her own consulting company, Polar Peaks Services. One of her key successes with Polar Peaks included creating process and results to have a multi-million dollar real estate venture establish procedures to collect on over $13 million in receivables and defaults. Her career also included working with resort development power-player Intrawest Corporation as the Vice President, Strategic Alliances. As a Chartered Accountant, Patti is responsible for working with the Executives to secure development and acquisition financing for both Bellstar Hotels & Resorts and Bellstar Developments. She also supports our key accounting team members to improve Bellstar’s bottom line results for all stakeholders. Her talents lay in focused financial leadership, process development and integration of resort real estate and operations. An avid downhill skier, coach and dedicated traveler, she volunteers with the Fernie Alpine Ski Team and Lake Louise Alpine World Cup Races in the Rockies, and spends summers with her family on the lake in Shuswap, BC.
Curt Jansen - Director of Resort Real Estate
A graduate of the SAIT Hospitality Management Program Curt spent the early years of his career working in large corporate Hotels including The Westin and Delta Hotels in both Edmonton & Calgary. Venturing on his own, Curt enjoyed over 25 years of experience in franchising, licensing and sales. Curt brings a wealth of experience and entrepreneurial thinking to Bellstar. His career has seen him own & develop; a chain of 6 franchise restaurants, a sign manufacturing franchise, a food processing company, 3 fuel distributorships and a 2 full service restaurants.
Since joining Bellstar in 2004, Curt has been responsible for more than $100 million in Resort Real Estate sales. His success is a tribute to his genuine desire to help people and his refreshing view on building long term relationships with honesty and integrity.
Hilary Moore - Director of Marketing & Sales: Operations & Development
Hilary's background is from the firm/agency environment, bringing a diversified portfolio of skills and talents to Bellstar. With a strong background in real estate and resort marketing as well as positioning, branding and launching resorts, Hilary offers a fresh marketing perspective, strong project management skills and an in-depth understanding of e-marketing. Hilary is responsible for overseeing the Sales and Central Reservations departments at Bellstar. She is currently completing her Masters degree at the University of Alberta as well as being a Director for a local breast cancer charity. Currently Hilary undertakes marketing efforts for Bellstar's operations and development departments.
Cathy Robinson - Operations Manager
Cathy’s extensive background in hospitality benefits Bellstar’s Operations Team greatly. Having spent many years in resort destinations from the Canadian Rockies to the Caribbean, Cathy has a wealth of experience leading and building teams; some comprised of associates from 22 countries. Her experience across the full spectrum of Hotel properties produces a unique understanding of owners and guests needs. Cathy creates the connection between existing and transitioning properties, and their support departments in Calgary ensuring consistency of operations. Her active lead in the areas of IT and People combines with her hands-on approach to truly satisfy the Bellstar vision of creating ‘exceptional resort experiences’.
Wendy Boulanger - Corporate Controller
Wendy brings a vast amount of senior level experience in accounting and senior management to Bellstar. Most recently, Wendy was Corporate Controller with Jayman Masterbuilt and had the responsibility of overseeing accounting functions for several operating divisions throughout significant operational changes and evolutions. Prior to that, Wendy was Corporate Controller with EECOL Electric, one of the largest electrical distributors and wholesalers in Canada with over 50 branches globally. With additional career experience in self employment as a consultant, public accountant and software trainer and installer, she brings a strong set of skills and talents to bring to Bellstar and to our exciting future of growth and expansion. Wendy is also Certified Professional Accountant and brings a significant amount of hands on experience in leading, managing and training teams and individuals throughout her career.
Mohamed Awad - General Manager, Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa
As a graduate from a hospitality management school in Vancouver, Mohamed started his career at the Intercontinental Hotel in Jordan with their food and beverage department. Upon his return to Vancouver he landed a position with Marriott Hotels focusing on food and beverage operations. His passion for wine resulted in the pursuit and achievement of his certification as a Wine Sommelier. His humble start as a busser to being the food and beverage manager of major hotels in Vancouver and Middle-East has made Mohamed a more diverse and experienced hotelier.
Barbara Van Der Vliet - Canmore Area General Manager
Barbara brings to Bellstar a strong service background from a variety of professional experiences in private asset, residence, and yacht management for high net worth owners in North America. Since joining Bellstar, Barbara has demonstrated the talents and skills necessary to successfully operate condo-resorts during her time at Bellasera. With a solutions-driven approach and a contagious positive attitude, Barb consistently delivers exceptional resort experiences to our guests, owners and employees alike. With a management background in private yachts and estate residences, she brings a significant amount of leadership and management experience to the table.
David A. MacKenzie - Pemberton Valley Lodge General Manager
Born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick David has over 19 years of experience in the tourism industry. He has opened four hotel properties in western Canada and operated his own Adventure Travel business in British Columbia and Alberta for 10 years. David was a founding Director of the Alberta Tourism Partnership and a founding Director of the Jasper Air Consortium which was responsible for bringing scheduled air service into Jasper National Park. David was elected to Council for the Village of Pemberton in 2005. He currently serves as a District Director, BC Chamber of Commerce, Director, Vancouver Coast & Mountains Tourism Region, the Chairman of Tourism Pemberton and the President of the Pemberton Regional Airport Authority. In his spare time he is a Volunteer Firefighter for the Pemberton Fire Rescue Department, and Executive Member – Pemberton Centennial Rotary Club.
Todd Mallen – Area General Manager Westbank
Todd joined Bellstar in the winter of 2009. A second generation Hotelier and graduate from the Hospitality Management program in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Todd has a strong background in condo resort / hotel management and passion for exceptional customer service. Since 2001, he was the Resort Manager of Kelowna’s Lake Okanagan Resort. Todd joined Lake Okanagan Resort in 1987, during this time he developed his knowledge and experience in all aspects of hotel / resort management including food and beverage, front desk, maintenance and housekeeping. Todd is very aware of the importance of property management and operations working together as a team to serve the needs of owners and guests.
Ian Hirji - Director of Purchasing
Ian brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry to the Bellstar management team. Throughout his hospitality career, Ian has held several key managerial positions. Most recently he has held positions as Regional Buyer with Avendra, the purchasing division of Fairmont, Delta, Marriott and Hyatt Hotels. Ian brings a great deal of experience with service contracts, procurement, contract negotiations, market baskets, and transactional purchasing. Ian holds a degree from Dartmouth College in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and is currently working towards his designation in Purchasing through the University Of Calgary.
Christina Cook - Owner Relations Manager
Chris has over 10 years experience as a Property Manager. Her previous experiences as a licensed Realtor and as an Estimator for a renovations company has added to her expertise as a Property Manager. Chris is passionate about Real Estate Investment and having an entrepreneurial spirit, she has been building and managing her own Real Estate Investment portfolio for the past 12 years. Prior to Property Management Chris was a manager for the City of Calgary. One of her proudest memories was managing the transportation services for the Canmore Nordic Centre during the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. Chris has also volunteered for numerous charities including The United Way, Canadian Mental Health Assoc., Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation, and The Mustard Seed. Chris is currently studying for her Alberta Real Estate Broker’s license.
Charmaine Richter - Executive Sales, Alberta
Charmaine brings a wide range of sales experience and skill to Bellstar. She has previously held positions as a Sales and Marketing Manager for the Quality Hotel and the International Hotel and Suites in Calgary. Charmaine holds a diploma in Marketing while she continues to pursue her degree in Management. Charmaine is also very active in the community. She was elected Vice President of the NW Ringette Association, coaches a fastball team, and is also a member of local ringette and fast pitch teams, among other involvements. Charmaine contributes to the success of Bellstar by increasing revenue through developing relationships and driving group sales business to all of our resorts.
Laura Arnold - Executive Sales, British Columbia
Laura started her career in the travel industry as a Certified Travel Consultant working for UNIGLOBE Travel and the Alberta Motor Association for 13 years. Her transition to hotels started in Edmonton where she was the Senior Sales Manager for Courtyard Marriott (formerly Thornton Court Hotel). Laura then moved to Vancouver to join the Marriott Vancouver Airport Sales Team as a Corporate Sales Manager. In 2006, Laura became the Area Director of Sales & Marketing for three hotels in the Sea to Sky Region, including Pemberton Valley Lodge. In April 2009, Laura became part of the Bellstar team. Laura has secured group business from the film industry and has been involved in events such as the 2002 Grey Cup, Heritage Classic, the Junos, Pemberton Festival and the 2010 Olympics. Laura loves to travel and has visited many exciting destinations such as China, Turkey and the Czech Republic.
Jessica Harcombe Fleming - Communications Manager
Jessica brings a broad range of tourism-related experience to Bellstar with over fifteen years experience working in tourism. Originally from Victoria, BC, she has worked as a rafting guide and ecotourism hiking guide, before helping launch Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa in Victoria. Since joining Bellstar, Jessica has created the PR and Media Relations department, and worked to expand the organizations Communications Strategy, helping put Bellstar’s exceptional condo-resort experiences on the map. Jessica holds a BA in Resource-based Tourism and a minor in First Nations Studies from UNBC, a Graduate Certificate in Tourism Leadership from Royal Roads University and a Public Relations Management Certificate from the University of Calgary. Jessica is the Provincial Chapter Chair with the Travel Media Association of Canada - Alberta Chapter, the Chair of Tourism Canmore, and is Director of Marketing/PR for NK'MIP Resort in Osoyoos, BC.
Raina Wall - Project Manager
Raina has been involved with Bellstar since its early beginnings and has played a key role in the growth and development of the organization. With over ten years of experience in the hospitality business focused on growth, people, operations and strategy and armed with an MBA, she brings a high level of skill and talent to Bellstar. Currently, she is undertaking senior project based work as Project Manager for both the resort operations and the resort development divisions.
Velma Baker - Development and Real Estate Accountant.
Velma oversees all development, construction and real estate accounting activities undertaken by Bellstar Developments Inc. Velma has over ten years of Senior Accounting experience in the development and construction industry including a role as Senior Accountant with S2 Architecture and accountant with Cana Construction. Velma has been working on various educational endeavours including her CGA and a variety of management courses at Mount Royal College (maintaining a 4.0 average!) while also raising a family.
There are many more "Bellstars" who work at our Resorts and at Bellstar's main office - and each one plays an essential role in our efforts to deliver exceptional resort experiences.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dale Hodgson - Chairman of the Board / Director
Dale is a successful entrepreneur who, over the past 20 years, has developed extensive practical hands-on expertise in building successful businesses. In addition to his involvement in Bellstar, Dale has also owned and been involved in businesses related to the technology industry and the manufacturing and service industry. Dale is President, principal shareholder and key overall visionary for the Kokanee Springs Resort Club in Crawford Bay, B.C., a comprehensive destination resort community to be developed over the next 10 to 15 years around the Kokanee Springs Golf Course, which was established in 1968. The first phase of over 125 units including a new clubhouse started in 2008.
Since 2004, Dale has been a Director and major Shareholder of Bellstar Hotels & Resorts Ltd. and Bellstar Developments Inc. Dale's key business initiatives with Bellstar have included:
- Investment in and ongoing direction and financing of Bellstar
- Directing the restructuring of Bellstar's operations into two legal entities: one for management of resorts and the other for development
- Leadership in securing the financing for three resort developments and one major resort acquisition
- Coaching of Bellstar's President & CEO including guidance through explosive growth and dramatic changes
Through family land interests in Springbank, west of Calgary, Dale has been involved in two successful residential land developments, Country Estates and Allandale Estates.
In addition to being actively involved in the community, Dale serves on several other boards including Insight Limited Partnership and is currently Canadian Chairman of Christian Business Ministries Canada and Corpath Business Forums.
Howard Pechet - Director
Howard has been involved in the development and operation of numerous hotels including Mayfield Inn in Edmonton, Medicine Hat Lodge in Medicine Hat, Alberta and Toronto's International Plaza Hotel and Stage West All-Suite Hotel. Howard and his father built the original Stage West Theatre Restaurant in Edmonton, and he remains active as the Executive Producer of numerous plays. His family founded the Canadian Western Bank, where Howard continues as a Founding Director. Howard is a Shareholder & Director of Bellstar Hotels & Resorts Ltd. and Bellstar Developments Inc.
Donald J. Douglas - Director
Don's involvement in the real estate development and investment industry spans well over 20 years, including his current role at United Inc. (and its predecessor companies), where he has been serving as President for ten years. Don has been and continues to be, a director of numerous investment and management companies in Alberta, including Alsten Holdings Ltd., Trafina Energy, Titan Digital Corporation, and now Bellstar. He has an MBA from the IMEDE Management Development Institute in Lausanne, Switzerland, in addition to his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta. Don is Past Chairman of the Board of the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, and is also a member of the World President's' Organization in Alberta. Don is a Shareholder and Director of Bellstar Hotels & Resorts Ltd. and Bellstar Developments Inc.
