Cap Juluca Names Gary S. Thulander General Manager
Anguilla, British West Indies, June 30, 2008 - In yet another milestone in its progress under new ownership, the renowned Caribbean resort Cap Juluca announced it is naming Gary S. Thulander as its new General Manager to be effective on July 10, 2008. The announcement was made by Hansjoerg Maissen, Cap Juluca’s Miami-based Asset Manager.
Thulander’s appointment follows the withdrawal of John Vasatka as the potential General Manager of Cap Juluca, owing solely to insurmountable challenges in securing suitable schooling on Anguilla for Vasatka’s young children.
Commenting on the announcement, Hansjoerg Maissen said, “Gary Thulander’s long and immensely successful hospitality career demonstrates his passion and flair for the best in resort operations, and gives him a depth of experience assuring our success at Cap Juluca. We are extremely excited to have Gary Thulander leading Cap Juluca.”
Gary Thulander added, “It is hard not to be captivated by the natural beauty of Cap Juluca and be impressed by its outstanding reputation in the world of fine resorts. I am looking forward to joining such an accomplished team of professionals and anticipate continued success in achieving the Julucan vision. In particular, I feel especially fortunate joining and leading the extraordinary employee group of Cap Juluca. Historically, it has been the staff of Cap Juluca who have truly made the resort shine.”
Thulander has Caribbean experience which extends beyond his current St. Lucia resort hotel, having been Food and Beverage Manager at Little Dix in Virgin Gorda. He has five star experience as Resort Manager of the magnificent Boulders Resort in Scottsdale, Assistant Manager of The Williamsburg Inn, and Room Service Manager of the Ritz-Carlton Boston.
Given Cap Juluca’s position as a premier Caribbean property in the prestigious collection of The Small Leading Hotels of the World, it is helpful Thulander knows Leading Hotels well. He was previously General Manager for six years of a charming and historic Leading property, The Equinox Resort and Spa of Vermont.
Also relevant for his coming time at Cap Juluca, Thulander has construction/opening experience (St. Lucia), and has experience with resort hotels with a residential villa component (Boulders, Equinox and St Lucia). Many of his hotels have had Spa, Golf and Tennis facilities. He also spent seven years at seaside hotels and restaurants on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, so he is used to vacationers seeking a sun and beach vacation.
An American, Thulander received his college degree in Hotel Administration from the University of New Hampshire. He has received numerous hospitality awards, honors and recognitions, and is a member of a broad array of hospitality and culinary associations.
Adam Aron, Cap Juluca Properties Ltd’s Chairman and CEO, and new lead owner of Cap Juluca, also praised the hiring of Thulander, “What a happy and satisfying day it is for us to find such a talented individual as Gary Thulander to become General Manager of Cap Juluca. We know Cap Juluca will make enormous strides with Gary in charge and on the ground. Cap Juluca’s guests expect their stay will meet the high standards found at the finest resorts in the world, and with Gary Thulander as our General Manager, both Hans Maissen and I are incredibly confident that our resort will offer the absolute best in quality service and attention to detail.”
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About Hansjoerg Maissen. Hansjoerg Maissen served as General Manager of Cap Juluca on an interim basis over the past eighteen months during its sale process, has relocated to Miami and has been promoted to become Asset Manager of the hotel. Maissen also has had a distinguished hospitality career, including having been the longtime General Manager of the top ranked hotel in the world, Orient Express’ Windsor Court in New Orleans. In addition, he was General Manager for seven years of the world renowned Grand Hotel du Cap in St. Jean de Cap Ferrat, France, where during his tenure he was responsible for the renovation of the hotel. The Swiss-born Maissen was also previously Vice President of Food and Beverage worldwide for Trust House Forte and Regional Director Middle East for Marriott International.
About Adam Aron. Noted as an innovative travel industry leader for many years, Aron has served as Senior Vice President of Marketing of Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Senior Vice President of Marketing of United Airlines, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, Chairman and CEO of Vail Resorts (including its RockResorts luxury hotel subsidiary) and Chairman and CEO of World Leisure Partners. In this latter role, Aron is affiliated with Apollo Management LP, the leading private equity firm, and helped engineer Apollo’s controlling investments in Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Aron sits on the Board of Directors of the three cruise lines as well as of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. In December 2007, Travel Weekly magazine named him a member of “Club 33,” the 33 most influential travel and tourism executives in the world. In January 2008, in addition to his Apollo and Board of Director duties, Aron formed Cap Juluca Properties Ltd., becoming its Chairman and CEO. Shortly thereafter, on April 9, 2008, he led an investor syndicate that acquired the Cap Juluca resort.
About Cap Juluca. Insulated from the outside world, yet only minutes by air or motor launch from St. Maarten, Cap Juluca resort is a private self-contained enclave on Anguilla in the British West Indies along two miles of the best pristine white-sand beaches in the Caribbean. At Cap Juluca, spacious Moorish villas with 98 luxurious suites and bedrooms, five-star restaurants, exotic landscaped tropical gardens, and friendly and gracious service professionals provide an unparalleled level of luxury. Currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, for years Cap Juluca has been at the top of every list of the best hotels and resorts in the Caribbean and in the world.
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Adam Aron 305-807-5077
Hansjoerg Maissen 264-476-6352
Hi-res Photo of Gary Thulander