DOUGLAS H. WELLES
Boca Raton
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at Welles Construction Inc., excelling in site analysis and master planning. Expert in financial modeling and analysis, I drive high-performance teams to deliver luxury resort projects on time and within budget, showcasing exceptional contractor management and strategic vision.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
President
Welles Construction Inc
Boca Raton
01.2013 - Current
- Luxury Resort Development - Houston, Texas - conceptual design, programming, budgeting for $1.8 billion resort
- Led site acquisition and mixed-use planning for 100 acres in Dulles, VA, aligning project goals with private owner objectives.
- St. Johns - USVI - National Park Service - RFQ - redevelopment of Caneel Bay - team leader for private dev.
- Consulted on development for Six Senses Resort at Deep Water Cay Island, facilitated post-Dorian recovery efforts.
Head of Development
Plaza Lotus Group
St. Petersburg
01.2010 - 12.2012
- Recruited to spearhead a five-star collection of landmark resort projects. Relocated to St. Petersburg, Russia to organize world-class teams to launch the startup of Plaza Lotus Group (PLG).
- Lead strategy and direct management on all facets of development, including planning and programming, design consultation, construction, hotel management agreements, club membership structure, design standards, marketing, and branding.
- Welles was Chairman of Design and Budget Review Committees - reported to owners.
- Restored One Field of Mars federal monument in St. Petersburg, Russia, integrating five-star branded 120-key hotel, 50 luxury residences, destination spa, and health club with Capella Hotels.
- Executed restoration of historic One Konyushennaya Square building in St. Petersburg, Russia, delivering 58 hotel-managed luxury residences, world-class spa, and fitness center.
- Developed St. Petersburg Country Club 205-hectare resort project with Belt Collins and SB Architects, featuring five-star branded lodge, 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse, and residential areas.
- St. Petersburg Yacht Club, St. Petersburg, Russia - 44-hectare resort project - planned by DPZ, including luxury marina hotel, marina village, waterfront residences.
- Sochi Resort - Restoration of Federal Monument - resort and residential - design concepts submitted to the Kremlin and approved by President Dmitry Medvedev, interior design by HBA.
- Sun Tower, Monte-Carlo, Monaco - super luxury private residence - design- Pierre Yves Rochon - Paris
President
Welles Construction Inc.
Boca Raton
01.2003 - 12.2010
- Assembled high-performance, cohesive teams to lead on-time/on-budget efforts and attain overall strategic business goals.
- Directed sustainable change and turnaround of construction projects, enhancing overall project delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Pinpointed and corrected inefficiencies, re-engineered operations, and devised strategies to strengthen construction plans, resulting in improved project execution.
- Interfaced with construction team and stakeholders to provide direction and resolve performance issues, ensuring project milestones were met on schedule.
- Park Hyatt & Grand Hyatt Hotels, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico - (preliminary planning) $300 million / 750,000sf project, including two spas, meeting space, residential villas, golf course.
- The Ritz-Carlton, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (formerly The St. Regis Resort) - $250 million, 24-story, 200-key luxury hotel successfully opened in 2008. Owners Representative consulting services.
- The Tides South Beach Hotel, Miami, Florida (part of The Kor Group) - $14 million renovation of historical structure, including 45 luxury suites.
- Bay Creek Resort and Club, Cape Charles, Virginia - $500 million / 1,900-acre resort project, including hotel, spa, clubs, condos, and Traditional Neighborhood Design community for 400 residential units on 80 acres.
Managing Director of Hotel Development and Construction
Caribbean Property Group
New York
01.2007 - 12.2008
- Directed acquisition, launch, and preconstruction of $300 million Ritz-Carlton Reserve project at Dorado Beach Resort and Club, including 120-key hotel, branded residential units, beach club, and golf clubhouse; managed RTJ Jr - East golf course renovation and $250 million Fairmont Hotel project with 400-key hotel, spa, and casino.
- Planned $62 million Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Spa and Casino project in San Juan, Puerto Rico (for Goldman Sachs), including proposed hotel condo tower and spa addition.
- Normandie Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico (W Hotel & Thompson Hotels) - $31 million renovation project.
- Led hotel and resort development as full-time consultant, reviewed project budgets for accuracy, incorporated last-minute changes, and tracked expenditures to ensure timely project delivery.
Vice President of Development and Construction
Reynolds Lodges LLC
Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee
01.2000 - 12.2003
- Managed design and construction of five-star luxury resort as part of executive committee, contributing to strategic master land planning and reorganization of Reynolds Construction.
- The Ritz-Carlton Lodge & Spa, Oconee Clubhouse - $145 million- 251-key lodge and 26,000sf spa - opened 2002.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning for development projects within the organization.
- Implemented strategic initiatives to elevate guest experience across Reynolds Lodges properties.
- Developed promotional campaigns for seasonal offerings in collaboration with marketing.
Executive Management
Linbeck Construction
Dallas
- Held executive management positions at Linbeck Construction, Dallas; Rosewood Hotels, Dallas; Takenaka International, Honolulu.
- Led key projects: Rosewood VP - Hotel Bel Air, Los Angeles; Rosewood VP - Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas; Rosewood VP - Remington Hotel, Houston; Palm Springs Marquis Hotel & Condos - Palm Springs; The Carlton, Residential, Vero Beach, Florida; L'Ermitage Hotel, Beverly Hills; Boca Raton Resort and Club, Florida; Grand Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa, Hawaii.
- Monitored progress towards meeting established goals set by executive management.
- Prepared presentations highlighting key findings from investigations for executive management team members.
- Assisted senior auditors in preparing presentations summarizing audit results for executive management meetings.
Education
B.S. - Construction Engineering
Montana State University
Bozeman, MTSkills
- Contractor management
- Owners Representative
- Risk Assessment
- Financial modeling
- Conceptual budgeting
- Design standards
- Site analysis
Projects
- Rosewood VP - Hotel Bel Air, Los Angeles
- Rosewood VP - Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
- Rosewood VP - Remington Hotel, Houston
- Palm Springs Marquis Hotel & Condos - Palm Springs
- The Carlton, Residential, Vero Beach, Florida
- L'Ermitage Hotel, Beverly Hills
- Boca Raton Resort and Club, Florida
- Grand Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa, Hawaii
Education And Licenses
- B.S. Construction Engineering, Montana State University
- Licensed General Contractor, Florida, North Carolina, California, Hawaii, Bahamas
Knowledge And Skills
- Site Analysis and Master Planning
- Design Standards & Technical Services
- Programming and Conceptual Budgeting
- Financial Modeling and Analysis
- Contractor Management and Coordination
- Owners Representative
Timeline
President
Welles Construction Inc
01.2013 - Current
Head of Development
Plaza Lotus Group
01.2010 - 12.2012
Managing Director of Hotel Development and Construction
Caribbean Property Group
01.2007 - 12.2008
President
Welles Construction Inc.
01.2003 - 12.2010
Vice President of Development and Construction
Reynolds Lodges LLC
01.2000 - 12.2003
Executive Management
Linbeck Construction
B.S. - Construction Engineering
Montana State University