Stonebridge, an internationally recognized, privately-owned hotel management company based in Denver, has announced the appointment of Rich Cortese to the position of Special Advisor for the Caribbean Region. Cortese will be working with Stonebridge as a strategic advisor, bringing his hands-on expertise in Caribbean operations, development and asset management.
Cortese, over the course of his professional career, has managed some of Caribbean’s most successful resorts. He was Executive Vice-President at Caribbean Property Group where he managed a $750million property portfolio including the RitzCarlton San Juan as well as Marriott Aruba and Radisson San Juan. In his early career, he was the operations manager at premier Puerto Rico resorts, including El San Juan and El Conquistador.
Rob Smith, Stonebridge CEO said, “Rich has a wealth of knowledge in the Caribbean hospitality industry and he is a great resource for our team.” Rich’s relationships and insight will be a great asset to our owners who are looking for regional expertise and operational excellence. Marco Selva is leading our luxury resort platform and I have over 20 years of Caribbean hotel experience.
Cortese reflects Stonebridge’s commitment to the Caribbean region and LATAM in general. The company recently opened a Miami office led by Marco Selva, Senior Vice President of Business Development & Operations, Luxury & Lifestyle.
“I’m excited to collaborate with Rich as we continue to expand Stonebridge’s presence in the Caribbean,” said Marco Selva, Senior Vice President of Business Development & Operations, Luxury & Lifestyle. His extensive experience and deep connections in the region perfectly complement our strategy. Together, we will be able provide owners with an incredibly well-rounded and hands-on approach, blending strategic insight, operational expertise, and regional knowledge.
Rich Cortese is Special Advisor at Stonebridge. “I have worked with many hotel companies and Stonebridge stands apart for its entrepreneurial spirit, hands-on approach, and tailored to each property owner and property,” he said. “The Caribbean is an exciting, evolving market—and I’m thrilled to be working with Rob, Marco, and the team as they bring Stonebridge’s capabilities to a broader set of owners and investors in the region.”
Stonebridge is currently involved in five Caribbean development projects. The firm’s resort and lifestyle portfolio is being actively expanded across high-growth market with its flexible platform, experienced leadership and strong owner alignment.