MEET THE EVANS HOTELS Executive Leadership Team
The executive leadership team at Evans Hotels is comprised of accomplished hospitality veterans. The group oversees all business channels including operations, reservations, human resources, marketing, sales, finance and more.
Robert H. Gleason President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert H. Gleason President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert Gleason was appointed President and CEO of Evans Hotels in 2014, becoming the first executive outside of the Evans family to run the day-to-day operations of the company. Mr. Gleason oversees and directs all aspects of business strategy and performance growth for Evans Hotels, which includes The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla as well as the Bahia Resort Hotel and Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Mission Bay. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Gleason spent the previous 15 years as the Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel of Evans Hotels. Having dedicated more than half of his life to the company, he first joined Evans Hotels as a reservations agent at the age of 17 and gradually worked his way up to CFO prior to earning his law degree.
Outside of his work, Mr. Gleason serves on the Board of the California Travel and Tourism Commission, which does business as Visit California, developing and maintaining marketing programs that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. In addition, he is Chair of the World Trade Center San Diego, an appointed member of the California Film Commission, President of the San Diego County Lodging Association, Chair of the Arts Advisory Committee for San Diego International Airport, and a member of the Committee to Nominate Alumni Trustees at Princeton University. He serves on Advisory Board for the L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at San Diego State University, where he taught hospitality law and policy for many years, as well as on the California State University Hospitality & Tourism Alliance Council, the University of San Diego School of Law Board of Visitors, the Promises2Kids CEO Advisory Council, and the American Cancer Society’s CEOs Against Cancer San Diego Chapter.
Prior civic commitments include serving as Chair of the Los Angeles Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Chair of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Chair of Francis Parker School, Chair of the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, Director of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, Vice Chair of The Old Globe, Chair of the San Diego LGBT Community Center, and Executive Committee Member of the Alumni Council of Princeton University.
Mr. Gleason received an A.B. in Economics from Princeton University and a J.D. summa cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law. He is a licensed attorney and real estate broker in California as well as a Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive.
Matt Adams Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Matt Adams Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Matt Adams was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2022. Mr. Adams supervises all operations for Evans Hotels, comprised of The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla and the Bahia Resort Hotel and Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Mission Bay, as well as the Bahia Belle and William D. Evans sternwheelers, and Belmont Laundry, which provides laundry services for the properties.
Prior to joining Evans Hotels, Mr. Adams served as Chief Operating Officer for Windsor Hospitality, based in Santa Monica, and Executive Vice President of Operations for Omni Hotels.
Before that, he built an impressive 30-year career in the hospitality industry managing iconic hotels in the United States and Europe, including the Grand Hyatt New York, Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, Park Hyatt Paris, and Hotel Martinez in Cannes. During his long tenure at Hyatt, Adams rose to the level of Senior Vice President - Operations. For several years prior, he was Hyatt’s Global Vice President of Innovation.
Mr. Adams is an alumnus of California State University, Long Beach where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Economy.
Julia De Beers Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel
Julia De Beers Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel
Julia De Beers was named Chief Administrative Officer in March 2017. Ms. De Beers is responsible for overseeing the legal, risk management, human resources, and technology groups.
Since 2014, Ms. De Beers has served as Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel. Ms. De Beers joined the Evans Hotels family after 11 years with the Los Angeles (Century City) office of the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where she served as a member of the firm's litigation and labor and employment practices.
Ms. De Beers received her Bachelor's degree in business administration (cum laude) from the University of Southern California in 2000 and her J.D. (cum laude) in 2004 from the University of Michigan Law School, where she served as the Notes Editor of the Michigan Journal of International Law.
Ilsa Butler SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SALES AND MARKETING AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Ilsa Butler SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SALES AND MARKETING AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Ilsa Butler is the Chief Marketing Officer for Evans Hotels, overseeing all aspects of sales, marketing, public relations, community relations, and brand strategy for the company.
In 2019, Ms. Butler was appointed the company's Chief Marketing Officer. Her previous positions include Vice President of Sales and Marketing Corporate Director of Sales, and she was part of the pre-opening sales team of its luxury brand, The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Ms. Butler began her tenure with the company in 1987 with the reopening of the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, where she held various positions in Sales and Conference Services and later led the sales teams in the strategic positioning and cross-selling of its Mission Bay hotels.
Ms. Butler earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York – Plattsburgh. She currently serves as a Board Director for the San Diego Tourism Marketing District. In addition, she is the Chair of the Brand and Content Committee and serves on the Marketing Advisory Committee for Visit California. Ms. Butler is a past recipient of the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association's and HSMAI's Gold Key Award for "Sales Person of the Year" and a finalist of San Diego Magazine's "Celebrating Women" Award.
Will Cherashore Chief Financial Officer, Evans Hotels
Will Cherashore Chief Financial Officer, Evans Hotels
Will Cherashore was named Chief Financial Officer of Evans Hotels in June 2022 and his responsibilities include reporting and compliance, strategizing and implementing plans concerning capital investments, and identification and execution of hospitality acquisitions. Previously, he was the General Manager of the Bahia Resort Hotel from 2020 – 2022 and he served as the Vice President of Acquisitions & Development from 2019 – 2020. Mr. Cherashore returned to Evans Hotels after beginning his career in the Corporate Marketing department in 2009 and subsequently worked as a Sales Manager for The Lodge at Torrey Pines from 2010 – 2013.
Prior to rejoining Evans Hotels, Mr. Cherashore was the Vice President of Finance for Kelly Slater Wave Company and its parent company, the World Surf League, working on the development and financing of wave systems. He has also worked in hospitality redevelopment, participating in hotel acquisitions and dispositions totaling more than $1.7B. Projects included the development and opening of the Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara and the Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Spa, both named on Condé Nast's Hot List and Travel + Leisure's It List for the best new hotel openings in 2018. Simultaneously, Mr. Cherashore served as the Asset Manager of a portfolio of branded and independent luxury hotels totaling more than 3,750 rooms and annual revenues in excess of $550M.
Mr. Cherashore received his Bachelor of Science from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, where he was also a varsity letterman in water polo and 2008 NCAA Division I National Champion. He also holds a Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management Certificate from Cornell University. He and his wife Gina, an adjunct faculty member at the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences and Doctor of Education candidate at the University of Southern California, are raising two young children.
Anthony Belef Chief Human Resources Officer
Anthony Belef Chief Human Resources Officer
Anthony Belef was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer in 2022. He oversees the human resources function for Evans Hotels, which includes The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, and the Bahia Resort Hotel and Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Mission Bay.
Prior to joining Evans Hotels, Mr. Belef spent the previous 25 years in the hospitality industry with experience in both operations and human resources. He previously worked for Omni Hotels and Resorts as a Director and Area Director of Human Resources. From 2017-2021, he led the Human Resources team at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, and also supported a portfolio of Omni properties, including locations in Texas and all of Omni’s California properties.
Mr. Belef began his human resources career as a Training Manager at the Omni San Francisco Hotel, and shortly thereafter, was promoted to Assistant Director of Human Resources. Before moving into human resources, he served in operations leadership roles, including Front Office Manager, Night Manager, and Guest Services Manager positions for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts (Park Hyatt) and Ian Schrager Hotels (now Morgans Hotel Group), as well as Omni Hotels.
Mr. Belef received a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Communication from San Francisco State University.
Scott Ward Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
Scott Ward Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
Scott Ward was appointed Vice President, Finance and Treasurer in March, 2014. He is responsible for the management and oversight of all aspects of the Finance Department, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and all internal and external financial reporting of the Evans Hotels' properties.
Mr. Ward spent the last nine years as the Corporate Controller for Evans Hotels. He first joined Evans Hotels in November 1995 as Staff Accountant. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Assistant Controller followed by Property Controller for Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa and The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
Mr. Ward holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from San Diego State University. He has been a member of Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals since 1998.
Sandrine Sai Vice President, Revenue Management
Sandrine Sai Vice President, Revenue Management
Sandrine Sai joined Evans Hotels in November 2023 and was promoted to Vice President, Revenue Management in September 2024. In this position, she leads the strategy for overall strategy for driving revenue growth in alignment with the company's financial goals and long-term vision. Additionally, Sandrine oversees reservations and switchboard operations as well as cultivates key relationships with external distribution partners, including online travel agencies (OTAs).
With more than 20 years in the industry, Sandrine previously held senior revenue management roles at diverse hospitality brands including Viceroy Hotel Group, Hilton Worldwide, Thompson Hotels, and Sofitel Los Angeles, where she honed her skills in sales strategies, market analysis, and distribution management.
Sandrine holds a bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Scranton and several continuing education credentials, including a Marketing Certificate from Cornell University and CRME certification. Outside work, she enjoys hiking at the beach with her cocker spaniel.
General Managers
Meet our experienced General Managers that lead the day-to-day operations at each of the Evans Hotels properties: The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Bahia Resort Hotel, and Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa.
Jakub Skyvara General Manager, The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Jakub Skyvara General Manager, The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Mr. Skyvara brings a wealth of experience in luxury hospitality leadership from renowned properties across multiple continents. Most recently, he served as Executive Assistant Manager at The Resort at Pelican Hill where he oversaw daily operations and led a 700-employee team. Previously, he served as the F&B Director at Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas in West Hollywood as well as at Viceroy Hotels and Resorts in Santa Monica. He has also held various F&B roles at Four Seasons properties across the country and was the Michelin Stars Restaurants Director at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong.
Mr. Skyvara speaks English, Czech, Italian, and German, and earned his degree in Tourism from Charles University in Prague. He has completed Cornell University's General Manager Program and Florida Atlantic University's Hospitality & Tourism Program.
Jayne Aston General Manager, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Jayne Aston General Manager, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Jayne Aston was named the General Manager of Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa in May 2024. From 2022 to 2024, she served as the General Manager at the Bahia Resort Hotel, the Catamaran's sister property on Mission Bay. She previously worked for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts where, for the last 25 years, she held a number of progressively responsible leadership positions at seven properties in six states. Most recently, Jayne was the Director of Operations for the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas, a sprawling, full-service resort, after serving as the Director of Food and Beverage at the same property from 2019 to 2021.
Jayne has extensive experience in San Diego, where she was the Director of Operations at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla from 2016 to 2019 and Director of Food and Beverage for eight years prior to that. Earlier in her career, she was the Director of Food and Beverage at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina. In addition, she has held Executive Committee positions over the years in a number of other destinations, including Baltimore, Maryland; Fairfax, Virginia; Lake Las Vegas, Nevada; and Orlando, Florida.
Jayne holds a B.S. in Hotel Management from Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, England, as well as an M.A. degree in Business Administration from Florida Metropolitan University in Orlando, Florida. When she is not at work, Jayne enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, two sons, and her rescue dog “Mochi.”
Stefan Peroutka General Manager, Bahia Resort Hotel
Stefan Peroutka General Manager, Bahia Resort Hotel
Prior to joining Evans Hotels, Peroutka worked for the Hotel del Coronado, where for the past eight years he successfully led the culinary department as Executive Chef, overseeing 11 food & beverage outlets and 22 culinary and stewarding leaders. Prior to The Del, he was based in Las Vegas, directing banquet culinary operations at The Venetian in Las Vegas from 2010-2017 and working with famed Chef Charlie Palmer at his Michelin Star restaurant Aureole from 2007-2010.
Peroutka’s earlier culinary career spanned the globe, including roles at one of Portugal’s finest luxury hotels, Vila Vita Parc, Hotel Almhof in Austria, The Ranier’s Club in Seattle, and Erna’s Elderberry House in Oakhurst, CA.
Peroutka holds a degree from the Salzburg Hospitality and Culinary School in Austria. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife, stepson, and their dog George, and pursuing a variety of hobbies and outdoor sports such as running, road biking, hiking, and scuba diving. His family shares his love for travel and exploration.