Team

Andro Nodarse-Leon FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Over the course of a successful 20-year career, Andro Nodarse-Leon has completed acquisition, financing, and divestiture transactions totaling over $85 billion in value and has been involved with hundreds of transaction processes across multiple sectors, including hospitality, education, real estate, consumer products, media, entertainment, finance, business services, energy and infrastructure.

Additionally, Mr. Nodarse-Leon has had extensive operational and asset management experience in connection with companies and properties in the hospitality, education, financial, consumer products, media, entertainment, and infrastructure sectors.

Mr. Nodarse-Leon began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs & Co. and, subsequently, as a private equity professional at KKR in New York City

Immediately prior to founding LionGrove in 2018, Mr. Nodarse-Leon was Founder and Managing Partner for LEON, MAYER &Co. (LM) a successful Miami and New York City based investment banking and private equity firm, which Mr. Nodarse-Leon founded in 2005.

At LM, Mr. Nodarse-Leon led all of the firm’s principal investing, investment banking, asset management and operational activities. Over the course of 13 years LM completed dozens of investment banking transactions and led principal investments in the hospitality and education sector totaling approximately $200 million of equity and $400 million of debt.

From 2012 to 2018, Mr. Nodarse-Leon led LM's efforts in connection with the founding, ownership, financing, investment and operational oversight of its portfolio company, Endeavor Schools, a successful roll-up of pre-k to 12th grade private schools throughout the United States.

During LM’s ownership and Mr. Nodarse-Leon’s leadership of Endeavor Schools, the company completed the acquisition, financing, operational integration and optimization of 34 private schools and the development of three additional private schools, across 14 MSAs and 9 states.

By 2018, Endeavor Schools had become the 14th largest owner and operator of pre-k to 12th private schools in the US, leading LM to successfully selling Endeavor Schools and realizing an IRR in excess of 40% per annum for Endeavor's investor.

In 2015, under Mr. Nodarse-Leon's leadership, LM formed a joint venture to acquire El San Juan Hotel from Blackstone. Subsequently, LionGrove purchased the interests of LM in El San Juan Hotel.

Mr. Nodarse-Leon led an extensive, highly acclaimed, $65 million renovation of El San Juan Hotel between 2016 and 2017.

After a very damaging direct impact to the property from of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, Mr. Nodarse- Leon led a second restoration of the property, also totaling approximately $60 million, which was completed at the end of 2019 and led to the hotel's rebranding as the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel January of 2020.

Prior to founding LM, Mr. Nodarse-Leon was an investment professional at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts &Co.(KKR) in New York City. At KKR, Mr. Nodarse-Leon worked on the acquisition of companies in the hospitality, consumer products, media and energy sectors.

While at KKR, Mr. Nodarse-Leon completed the $1.5 billion acquisition of Sealy Corporation, the largest bedding manufacturer in the world, and was involved in the development and oversight of various operational initiatives that led to significant improvements to the company's performance and the eventual successful IPO of Sealy for more than 3x the original equity purchase price paid for the company in two years.

Mr. Nodarse-Leon was also involved in the asset management oversight and pursuit of add-on hotel acquisitions for KSL Holdings, a successful KKR portfolio company that owned and operated leading resort properties throughout the United States, including Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, CA, the Grand Wailea Maui Resort in Maui, HI, La Quinta Resort & Club in Palms Springs, CA, La Costa Resort & Spa in Carslbald, CA and the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, AZ, among others.

Prior to KKR, Mr. Nodarse-Leon was an investment banking professional at Goldman Sachs & Co. At Goldman Sachs, Mr. Nodarse-Leon advised media and entertainment clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, financings and strategic matters. Clients at Goldman Sachs included AT&T, Time Warner, Sony, Pulitzer and the Houston Astros, among others.

Mr. Nodarse-Leon has previously served on the Owners Advisory Council for Hilton Corporation and the Board of Trustees for the Oliver G. Scholars Program in New York City.

Mr. Nodarse-Leon is the co-author of Cuba: From Economic Take-off to Collapse Under Castro, published by Routledge's Transaction Publishers in 2015.

He currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Cuban American National Foundation, a non-profit that supports the development of democracy in Cuba.

Mr. Nodarse-Leon has made appearances and contributions in local, national and international television, radio and press in connection with various subjects, including investments, economics, hospitality and Cuba.

Mr. Nodarse-Leon received a B.S., cum laude, from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S.E.cum laude, from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences of the University of Pennsylvania.


INSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUNDS

Chris Sariego SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Chris Sariego has 30 years of experience leading and developing leading hotels and resorts in iconic city centers as well as resort destinations throughout the US, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe.

Mr. Sariego has consistently led hotels to growth, creating high-value experiences and profitable revenue centers at internationally recognized hotels and resort companies such as Sbe, Atlantis, The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, and Starwood.

Mr. Sariego's has played a key role in managing everything from boutique hotels to mega-complex resorts.

Prior to joining LionGrove, Mr. Sariego served as Chief Operating Officer for Virgin Trains USA, a multi-billion-dollar company that seeks to revolutionize train travel in the US through hospitality and luxury experiences.

Prior to Virgin Trains USA, Mr. Sariego served as the Vice President and General Manager for Sbe, an international lifestyle hospitality company that develops and operates hotels, residences, restaurants, and night clubs such as Delano, SLS, Hyde, and Mondrian. Opened the SLS resort in the Bahamas and repositioned the Delano in South Beach.

Previously, Mr. Sariego was the Senior Vice President and General Manager for Atlantis overseeing the luxury areas of the mega-resort including two hotels adding to about 1,100 rooms, the privately-owned residences, three theme parks, spa and fitness areas, cruise ship and preservation programs. Atlantis is near a 1-billion-dollar operation with approximate 8,000 employees.

Before Atlantis, Mr. Sariego served successfully as general manager for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company at the Ritz-Carton in Santiago de Chile and The Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman.

Prior to Ritz-Carlton, Mr. Sariego held General Manager positions with Marriott International and Intercontinental Hotels Group as well senior management positions with Starwood Hotels and Resorts and other independent hotels.

Over his career, Mr. Sariego has been involved in management of hotels, resorts and luxury residences with a combined real estate value greater than $5 billions.

Mr. Sariego’s experience includes capital improvement projects totaling over $600M across urban hotels, destination resorts, restaurants, nightclubs, spas, and other hospitality venues.

Mr. Sariego holds high service marks on all assignments including three consecutive AAA 5 Diamonds Resort, Spa and Fine Dining Awards as well as Forbes Star rating.

Mr. Sariego has created educational programs and has been a keynote speaker in many forums to support education, travel, and hospitality business. He has also spearheaded several initiatives to preserve the natural ecosystem in the communities he serves through scientific research, reef and marine life rehabilitation, and energy conservation.

Mr. Sariego holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile; a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management from Florida International University in Miami, FL; an International Business Certification from Florida International University in Miami, FL; a General Manager certification and a Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management certification from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

Mr. Sariego is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.


INSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUNDS

Sophia Chan Senior Vice President of Development

Sophia Chan brings over 25 years of global expertise in luxury hospitality, branded residential, and large-scale mixed-use development to her role as Senior Vice President of Development. A recognized leader in the industry, Sophia has overseen the full development lifecycle — from feasibility and entitlement through construction and grand opening — for some of the world's most celebrated properties and brands.

Most recently, Sophia served as Executive Director of Development at Red Sea Global in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she spearheaded the master plan development and financial feasibility for over 20,000 luxury resort units across the Amaala and Red Sea Global destinations, partnering with world-class operators including Four Seasons, Rosewood, Six Senses, Raffles, and Mandarin Oriental.

Prior to that, Sophia held senior leadership roles at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in Shanghai, where she directed the development of more than 20 luxury properties across the Kimpton, InterContinental, Regent, and Six Senses brands, and at Ian Schrager Company in New York, where she led the development and expansion of the PUBLIC Hotels brand across the U.S. and internationally. Earlier in her career, she served as Vice President of Design and Architecture at Crescent Heights, guiding entitlement and development for luxury high-rise towers across San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle.

Sophia's design sensibility and innovative thinking have earned her wide industry recognition, including the Radical Innovation Award Best of Category, features in Forbes, Interior Design Magazine, and Boutique Design, and recognition as one of Boutique Design's Women Leaders Success Strategists.

Ricardo Vazquez Vice president of Talent & Culture

Ricardo Vazquez brings over 18 years of progressive Human Resources leadership within Marriott International's most prestigious brands, including The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott Hotels and Resorts and JW Marriott. Throughout his career, Ricardo has built a reputation as a strategic HR partner who transforms workplace culture into a measurable competitive advantage, consistently delivering some of the highest employee engagement results in the industry.

Ricardo began his career in Human Resources with Marriott in Cancun, where he held a series of increasingly senior roles — from Training Manager to Performance Optimization Manager, Human Resources Manager, and ultimately Director of Human Resources Operations — overseeing a combined workforce of more than 1,100 employees across two flagship properties. During this period, he contributed to three consecutive Great Place to Work national recognitions in Mexico, reaching 3rd place in 2010.

He was subsequently appointed Director of Human Resources at the JW Marriott Mexico City, where he led one of the most significant cultural turnarounds in the property's history, driving the Employee Satisfaction Index from 83% to 93% — the largest single increase in over a decade — and advancing the hotel to 11th place in the Great Place to Work national ranking. From there, Ricardo expanded his international footprint as Assistant Director of Human Resources at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico, one of the most exclusive Forbes 5-Star properties in the world.

In 2017, Ricardo was appointed Director of Human Resources at Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Los Cabos, where he joined the property's founding team and led the recruitment and development of the entire workforce from the ground up, culminating in a successful opening in October 2019. Under his leadership, Zadun achieved a 97% Engagement Survey score in 2021, a remarkable result given the global challenges of that period.

Ricardo joined The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón as Director of Human Resources & Business Support, where he led the engagement index from 88% in 2022 to a high of 96% in 2023.

In February 2026, Ricardo joined LionGrove as Vice President of Talent & Culture, where he oversees all Human Resources functions across LionGrove's portfolio of properties. He holds a Master of Business Administration and Human Resources with Excellence Honors from TecMilenio University, a Bachelor's Degree in Communications, graduated with Honors from the University of Chihuahua, and completed a Certificate in US Employment Law and Policy from eCornell University. Ricardo is a two-time recipient of Marriott International's Human Resources Excellence Award and he is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Evy Garcia VICE PRESIDENT SALES

Ms. Garcia currently serves as Vice President of Sales at LionGrove, designing strategies for Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest, Beach & Golf Resort and Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort.

Ms. Garcia has had a vibrant career in the resort, and luxury hospitality spaces spanning over 25 years with a successful track record in building sales teams and business development strategies.

Prior to LionGrove, she was the Director of Sales & Marketing for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Corporate, overseeing the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort.

Previously, Ms. Garcia served as the Director of Sales & Marketing for El Conquistador Resort & Las Casitas Village, A Waldorf Astoria Resort.

Prior to her position at El Conquistador, she was the Director of Sales & Marketing for Gran Melia Golf Resort Puerto Rico.

Before Gran Melia, Ms. Garcia was Director of Sales for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, based in Mexico.

Prior to Fairmont, she was Area Director of Marketing & Public Relations for Tishman Hotels & Resorts.

Ms. Garcia embarked on a career in hospitality as Area Director of Sales for InterContinental Hotel Group after a successful career in the Marketing arena in the Greater New Orleans area.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Marquette University, Mass Communication/Media Studies and is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Michael MacDonnell VICE PRESIDENT Food & Beverage

Michael MacDonnell currently serves as the Vice President of Food & Beverage for LionGrove.

With over 30 years of hospitality experience, Mr. MacDonnell oversees all food and beverage operations including enhancing the culinary vision, elevating entertainment offerings, and curating dynamic activations at each property to position them as vibrant destinations for both resort guests and the surrounding community.

Before joining LionGrove, Mr. MacDonnell served as Vice President of Food & Beverage at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, leading the pre-opening strategy and execution of the resort’s dining and beverage concepts. He previously spent five years as Vice President of Food & Beverage at Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, where he oversaw the property’s expansive and diverse culinary portfolio. His earlier career includes senior leadership roles at notable properties such as The Raleigh Hotel, Chicago Athletic Hotel, Thompson Miami Beach, and several iconic venues along the Las Vegas Strip. MacDonnell was recognized as one of the top five most influential professionals in Las Vegas for his expertise in cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine, and he is a certified Level 1 sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.

James Karabelas Vice President of Marketing

Mr. James Karabelas currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing for LionGrove.

James is a results-oriented brand marketing, digital, and communications executive with a robust background in strategy, branding, and digital media.

Prior to joining our team, James was serving as the Regional Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Highgate Hotels in Honolulu, Hawaii. Oversaw brand planning, digital media strategy, and communications for a portfolio encompassing 15 properties and 5000 guest rooms. His leadership has been pivotal in achieving significant revenue growth and surpassing budget targets, particularly through optimized digital strategies and comprehensive media approaches.

Prior to his role at Highgate Hotels, James held the position of Vice President of Brand Marketing & eCommerce at Aqua-Aston Hospitality, where he orchestrated global marketing strategies across 40 hotels, resulting in substantial revenue increases and the successful launch of key loyalty programs. His expertise also includes directing digital marketing initiatives at Castle Hospitality Group, where he achieved notable revenue growth through enhanced digital strategies and optimized online booking systems.

With a Bachelor of Science from Boston University in Hospitality Administration and Communications, James combines strategic vision with hands-on leadership to drive growth, performance, and revenue in competitive markets. He is adept at fostering strong stakeholder relationships and leading high-performing teams through clear communication and collaboration.

Juan Rivera Vice President of Finance

With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Rivera has been awarded multiple accolades; they include, but are not limited to 2004 Nominated Manager of the Year Award, 2016 Nominated CFO Experience Award, 2016 Marriott Special Achievement Award, etc.

Prior to joining LionGrove, Mr. Rivera served as the Director of Finance for Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort

Previously, Mr. Rivera served as the Director of Finance for Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino

Prior to his position at Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, Mr. Rivera was the Director of Finance at St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort – the only 5 diamond resort in Puerto Rico

Before St. Regis, he served as the General Manager for Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino. He also served as the Director of Finance prior to this

Previously, Mr. Rivera was the Assistant Director of Financial Services for El Conquistador Golf Resort & Casino

Prior to El Conquistador, Mr. Rivera served as the Assistant Director of Financial Services for Wyndham Old San Juan Hotel & Casino

Mr. Rivera earned his bachelor’s degree from El Colegio Universitario del Este in Carolina, Puerto Rico

Mr. Rivera is fluent in English and Spanish

Ernesto Velázquez Vice President of Revenue Management

With over 20 years of Revenue Management experience, Mr. Velázquez currently serves as Vice President of Revenue Management for Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort and has been in Rio Mar’s team since 2011.

The strong skills performed at this industry include the responsibility for the resorts’ total revenue management initiatives while identifying and maximizing all potential revenue opportunities for the property. Proven track record of exceeding budgeted total revenues and growing RevPAR Index year after year while achieving a consistent forecast accuracy.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Platinum Circle Award Winner in 2018, 2019, and 2020

He held a prior experience in Revenue Management in Benchmark Global Hospitality, Hotel Contessa, Luxury Suites on Riverwalk and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, where he also had experience in Housekeeping & Front Office.

Mr. Velazquez also have experience as Director of Rooms at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Omni Hotel & Resorts.

His professional background includes Hospitality & Tourism Management from Florida Atlantic University and is a Certified Revenue Management Executive from HSMAI with a previous BS in Business Administration from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, PR

Marilin Rosario Area Director Of Communications & Public Relations

Ms. Marilin Rosario currently serves as the Area Director of Communications and Public Relations for LionGrove.

With over 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ms. Rosario develops strategic communication and public relations plans to enhance organizational reputation, market position, stakeholder relations, and consumer awareness.

She has successfully managed high-profile PR campaigns, resulting in increased investor interest and media coverage as well as navigated government, hospitality, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and non-profit sectors, becoming an expert in handling controversies and implementing effective damage control strategies.

Prior to joining LionGrove, Ms. Rosario lead the marketing and communications team of St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, driving innovative strategies and cohesive brand messaging.

Before St Regis, she was the Public Relations/Communications Director at Alliacom, Inc, leading strategic planning for 35+ leading companies across a variety of sectors.

Prior to Alliacom, Ms. Rosario was the Sales & Marketing Director for Mundo Travel and directed general management, marketing, negotiations, and public relations within a conglomerate of six travel agencies in Puerto Rico.

Previously, she served as the Revenue Sales Manager for the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino.

Marilin holds a Master of Science in Corporate Public Relations from Purdue University; a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from University of the Sacred Heart, San Juan, PR, and is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

Zach Garcia Vice President Acquisitions & Asset Management

Zach Garcia joins LionGrove with two years of experience investing in hotels and resorts across the capital stack, chain scales, product types, and geographies. Furthermore, Zach has over two years of experience as a management consultant for the Hospitality and Leisure industry.

Before joining the LionGrove team, Zach was an Associate on The Buccini/Pollin Group’s Hotel Acquisitions and Development team. Zach assisted with all aspects of the deal process from deal sourcing through asset disposition. Zach led underwriting and financial modeling processes for a variety of hospitality real estate investment opportunities, oversaw the due diligence process across all aspects of the transaction, and prepared investment memorandum for the firm’s investment committee.

Additionally, Zach coordinated the firm’s biannual hotel investment strategy update and presented the output to the firm’s Executive Team and Board of Directors. Over the course of two years, Zach completed disposition, refinancing, preferred equity, and mezzanine loan transactions in excess of $350 million.

Zach has completed transactions in the following markets: New York City, NY (Manhattan and Brooklyn); Palm Springs, CA; Raleigh, NC; Minneapolis, MN; Milwaukee, WI; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles, CA; Dallas, TX; Baltimore, MD; Portland, OR; Nashville, TN; Wilmington, DE; and Philadelphia, PA. Zach also assisted with the initial stages of the development process for a 400-key soft-branded, lifestyle hotel in Austin, TX, and a 400-key lifestyle hotel and 50,000 square foot live entertainment venue in Orlando, FL.

Prior to joining the Buccini/Pollin Group, Zach was an Experienced Associate in PwC’s Real Estate, Hospitality, and Leisure Advisory practice. Zach provided strategic advisory, valuation, transaction due diligence, and litigation support services to an assortment of clients across the hospitality and leisure industry in the United States, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Zach’s depth and breadth of experience includes working with owners, investors, operators, brands, furniture suppliers, sports teams, convention centers, destination marketing organizations, and industry trade associations.

Zach’s engagements included everything from conducting due diligence for brand, portfolio, and single asset transactions, to helping large hotel companies and third-party operators develop and implement growth and operational strategies. Zach was also a contributing writer for the following thought leadership publications: Hospitality Directions, Convention Center Report, Sports Outlook, Super Bowl Economic Impact Study. Zach was also part of the Financial Markets Group’s Diversity & Inclusion Task Force and a founding member of the Financial Markets Latino Inclusion Group.

Zach received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and serves as a member of the Cornell Latino Alumni Association board, a member of the Cornell Alumni Admission Ambassador Network, and a member of Christopher Columbus High School’s Alumni Association.

Luis Acevedo Acquisition & Asset Associate

Mr. Luis Acevedo is an Analyst on the LionGrove Investments and Asset Management team. Luis joins LionGrove with one year of experience investing in real assets across the entire process, from acquisition to asset sale in Mexico. Furthermore, Luis has over 5 years of experience in financial analysis and market research.

Before joining LionGrove, Luis was an Analyst at O’Donnell Capital Management. He played an active role in all aspects of the deal process, from deal sourcing through asset disposition. Luis led underwriting and financial modeling for a variety of industrial and retail investment opportunities, oversaw the due diligence process, and prepared investment memorandum for the firm’s investment committee. Over the course of one year, Luis completed the acquisition, development, fundraising, and financing for 2 projects totaling over $180 million and completed the financing for 4 additional projects totaling $130 million.

Before joining O’Donnell Capital Management, Mr. Acevedo was an Associate at AMEXCAP. He managed market research and relations with general partners over 8 private capital strategies, including VC, growth and LBO, real estate, infrastructure and energy, debt, fund of funds, search funds, and family offices, where he published more than 8 market studies. Prior to joining AMEXCAP, Luis was an IR coordinator at Grupo Herdez, a consumer staples company where he played an active role in fundraising for a total of $200M in debt for debt refinancing and managed the relations with the buy and sell-side analysts. Luis’s experience includes working with owners, investors, general partners, and business leaders.

Mr. Acevedo received his MBA degree from UDLAP University in Mexico and will obtain a Master in Science from the University of Houston in 2024.