John Berndt

Professional Background

John Berndt is a highly accomplished leader in the hospitality industry, renowned for his extensive experience in providing senior leadership to prestigious hotel brands such as Howard Hughes Corporation, Cipriani, Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood, Pan Pacific, Mantra, and Marco Polo International Hotel groups. With a remarkable career spanning several decades, John specializes in crucial areas of hotel management, including pre-opening processes, transitions, renovations, repositioning, and tackling challenging operational scenarios. His diverse skill set enables him to advise operators, owners, and developers on pivotal projects involving conceptual design, operations programming, branding, positioning, and identifying joint venture opportunities.

Throughout his career, John has played a vital role in the development, opening, and operational management of top-tier luxury branded and independent hotels, resorts, residences, clubs, restaurants, spas, and casinos. Notably, he successfully converted the historic Gettysburg Hotel into student housing for Gettysburg College, ensuring compliance with COVID protocols while managing construction aspects and establishing Board leadership for the Waiea development in Ward Village, Honolulu, Hawaii.

In addition to his operational expertise, John is well-versed in providing management and consultation services for regional management companies overseeing a diverse portfolio of Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and independently branded hotels. His experience extends beyond traditional hotel management to include significant contributions to the growth of the Finger Lakes wine country in New York. John promotes the local wine, craft beverage, and agriculture sector by partnering with local farmers, wineries, breweries, distilleries, artisans, and entrepreneurs through initiatives with The New York Wine & Culinary Center for prominent brands like Wegmans and Constellation Brands.

John's operational acumen is evidenced through his implementation of improvement programs which have enhanced the performance of iconic establishments including the Westin Great Southern Hotel, urban leaders of the Hyatt and Hilton brands in New York, Sakala Resort & Beach Club, and world-renowned properties such as Hanging Gardens Bali and Nirwana Bali Golf Resort.

Education and Achievements

John Berndt's educational journey took place at the esteemed Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management where he studied for his Bachelor of Science degree. This rigorous academic background equipped him with the foundational knowledge necessary for a successful career in hotel management and operations.

His professional trajectory has been decorated with numerous notable roles that reflect his dedication to excellence and leadership. Previously, John held the position of President at Cipriani Hotels, Resorts & Residences, where his vision and strategic guidance propelled the brand to new heights within the competitive hospitality landscape. Similarly, as Vice President of Operations and Development at Marco Polo Hotel Group, John was instrumental in elevating operational standards and delivering high-quality guest experiences across their properties.

John’s impressive resume also includes significant positions such as Senior Vice President of Operations in Food & Beverage at Caesars Entertainment Corporation, General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and Vice President and General Manager at Prism Hotels. His comprehensive understanding of multifaceted hotel operations is underscored by his role as Executive Assistant Manager/Regional Food & Beverage at Hyatt Hotels Corporation as well as his early experience in operations at Western International Hotels & Resorts.

Through these diverse roles, John demonstrated an exceptional ability to blend operational strategy with innovative hospitality solutions, setting industry benchmarks for service excellence.

Given his extensive background, John's expertise also encompasses operations, asset management, development, openings, task force transitions, renovations, property facilities management, and multi-unit operations. His multifarious skill set positions him as a leader well-acquainted with the challenges and opportunities present in the ever-evolving hospitality sector.

Achievements

John Berndt's numerous achievements within the hotel and resort sector underscore his commitment to innovation and excellence. Some of the most remarkable accomplishments include:

• Conversion of Gettysburg Hotel: Successfully transformed the historic Gettysburg Hotel into compliant student housing for Gettysburg College amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing his ability to adapt to unique operational challenges.
• Waiea Development Leadership: Played a pivotal role in establishing Board leadership and introducing infrastructure management practices at Waiea, enhancing the operational efficiency of Howard Hughes Corporation’s prestigious Ward Village project in Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Development of Iconic Properties: Instrumental in the development and operational performance of a range of world-renowned properties, including the transformation of Sakala Resort & Beach Club and the operational success of Hanging Gardens Bali from Orient Express.
• Finger Lakes Expansion: Actively contributed to the growth of New York’s Finger Lakes wine region by promoting local agriculture and establishing partnerships with local farmers and beverage producers, highlighting a commitment to community engagement and support.
• Strong Brand Development: Demonstrated success in enhancing brand positioning for luxurious establishments, which includes leading the operational excellence at properties such as The Regent Wall Street and Loews Beverly Hills.

Through his extensive experience and proven track record of success, John Berndt continues to be a key player in the hospitality sector, recognized for his leadership skills, operational knowledge, and unwavering commitment to service excellence. His dedication to the industry, coupled with his ability to navigate complex challenges, ensures that he remains a sought-after consultant and leader in the world of luxury hospitality.