Jade Resort Residences & Beach Club has announced Agnelo Fernandes as president. Fernandes, a hospitality industry veteran with over 20 years of operational, finance and brand marketing experience, joins to take on responsibility of developing the new lifestyle development brand and overseeing its introduction through an upscale resort and residential project underway in Manuel Antonio on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast. Beyond Costa Rica, he will also be involved in extending the Jade brand to other international projects.
Adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park to one side and overlooking the Pacific Ocean to the other, Jade Resort Residences & Beach Club’s premier property will feature 240 designer resort-style residences as well as world-class hospitality services and resident and guest amenities. The property is situated five miles from Quepos, an international destination for sport fishing.
As president of Jade Resort Residences & Beach Club, Fernandes will oversee all operations, finance, sales and marketing of the brand and its projects. The opening of the first property in January 2011 marks his 13th resort-hotel launch.
Fernandes joins Jade from Canyon Ranch Miami Beach where he was part of a leadership team tasked with the pre-strategy and opening of the first Canyon Ranch Living and hotel concept. He led its integrated marketing including for an all-suite high-end hotel, 70,000 square feet wellness center, gourmet nutrition and beverage services, and retail. He also was instrumental in the successful marketing and sales of residences and hotel condominiums.
Fernandes was a former director of sales and marketing for Sonesta Hotel and Suites. He has held leadership roles with Ocean Point Resort and Spa in SunnyIslesBeach and Rex Resorts in the Caribbean. For Rex Resorts, he led the re-launch of the brand in the Americas, repositioning seven resorts and opening two new resorts.
Recognized with several industry accolades, Fernandes began his career with Starwood where he held various training and management positions. Among his accomplishments include being awarded Caribbean Hotel Association Sales Person of the Year 1995.
“My partners and I are thrilled to have Agnelo Fernandes join our team for his caliber of talent and the depth of experience he brings to build our brand and oversee the first development of its kind under that brand,” said lead developer Dan Dykgraaf. “Beyond his industry experience, we value his business acumen and immense passion for unique projects such as ours that are defined by their brand and exotic locations. We’re excited for what he brings to the launch of the first Jade project in Costa Rica and to future growth in other international destinations.”
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