We leverages synergies and expertise from within and outside of the hotel sector to deliver a distinctive platform based on
industry leading practices and innovations.

A seasoned hotelier and entrepreneur, Raymond Johnston is the visionary and founding partner of Las Brisas Hotel Group. His distinguished 50-year career began at the property-level with advancing leadership positions throughout the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean, which led to executive positions including President of Yellowstone National Park, President of Campbell Soup’s Restaurant Division, and Chairman of Best Western International Worldwide. Raymond’s success is evidenced through his storied career highlighted by significant development, turnarounds, and the restructuring of financially distressed hotels and companies.

 During an extended period abroad, Raymond spent ten years pioneering the major international resort destinations throughout Mexico and Aruba, while opening the first luxury hotels in Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, and Aruba N.A. Over the course of his career, Raymond has operated select and full-service hotels with 80 to 800 keys in city center and resort destinations, casinos, and free-standing restaurants. The operating model of Las Brisas Hotel Group is the culmination of best practices and a unique operating style that Raymond honed through his diverse operating background. Raymond is a graduate from Michigan State University with a BA in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management, as well as a BS in Business Administration from Oregon State University.

Michelle plays a pivotal leadership role in the strategic growth and operational execution of Las Brisas Hotel Group. She oversees financial planning and forecasting, revenue management, and the overall operating strategy and procedures, while fostering a performance-driven, service-oriented culture.

Michelle also leads all investment activities for the group, including underwriting, due diligence, and strategic planning for new development and acquisition opportunities. Her combined operational and investment oversight ensures a disciplined, value-driven approach to growth.

Before joining Las Brisas, Michelle held senior roles at Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, contributing to over $1.5 billion in real estate transactions across a diverse global portfolio. At Starwood, she managed a $1 billion international portfolio, directing real estate transactions, asset performance, and capital planning including new-build and redevelopment projects. At Marriott, she led dispositions and guided real estate strategy for joint venture hotels in Latin America, while managing key investment partnerships.

Michelle holds a BS from Boston University and an MS in Hospitality Industry Studies with a concentration in Hotel Investment from New York University. She brings a strategic, results-driven mindset to every project, with a strong focus on value creation and long-term growth.

Michael brings a unique combination of operational leadership, investment expertise, and design sensibility to Las Brisas Hotel Group. He has led full-service independent hotels, repositioned underperforming assets, and built high-performing teams rooted in culture, creativity, and guest experience — with a particular focus on elevated gastronomy and bar programs. Michael has overseen Michelin-level restaurants, destination bars, and experiential F&B concepts that serve as the heart of each property.

Michael is also the founder of The Aspen Company, a design-led hospitality investment and management firm that repositioned two iconic properties — Liss Ard Estate in Ireland and Abbaye de la Bussière in Burgundy — both members of Relais & Châteaux and recipients of top industry accolades for both service and cuisine.

Previously, Michael served as CEO of Regional Hotel Chain, one of Eastern Europe’s largest hotel investment platforms, where he expanded the portfolio from 3 to 9 hotels in nine cities and led the company through a successful exit at 22x EBITDA.

Michael’s background also includes strategy consulting and private equity. As Head of Private Equity and Director of Global Strategy for KPMG and Deloitte, Michael consulted leading global private equity firms on M&A, CDD, PMI, change management, and operational improvements. Michael was also an Investor Director at SigmaBleyzer, a top 5 PE firm in the CIS with over $500 million in committed capital and served on the board of the Four Seasons Lion Palace. He holds an MBA with a focus on international business, speaks Russian and Ukrainian, is learning Portuguese, and has lived in nine countries — experiences that shape his global perspective and collaborative leadership style.

Good enough is not enough.
It’s the motto Mark picked up in 1999 as the “dub guy” at TBWA\Chiat\Day, fresh out of USC film school—and it still guides his work today.

Mark is an award-winning Executive Producer with 25 years of experience across marketing, advertising, in-house tech companies, and independent film production. Known for calm under pressure and inventive problem-solving, he’s led global campaigns, documentaries, and large-scale experiential work across nearly every format and category.

He’s produced for Apple, Meta, Amazon, Airbnb, EA Sports, ALTO, TBWA\Chiat\Day, Ogilvy and collaborating with top-tier shops including Smuggler, Prettybird, Anonymous Content, Radical Media, Park Pictures, MPC, etc.

His client list includes Apple, Meta, Airbnb, EA, American Express, Martini, Bacardi, adidas, Verizon, Burger King, Sony, and more—spanning brand campaigns, content, live action, and award-winning longform.

Outside of production, Mark is an accomplished endurance athlete, with finishes in the Lanzarote Ironman, Vasaloppet, Baikal Ice Marathon, Stones 100K, and both The Grand Traverse and Audi Power of Four ski mountaineering races.