Founders
ROBERT SPECK
Robert Speck is a trusted industry leader with extensive experience in multi-property management, international sales and marketing, and hotel development. As Hilton’s Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing he was responsible for the commercial activities for 60 full-service hotels and resorts in the Western US and Mexico.
Known for his breadth of experience and expertise in revenue optimization, Robert transitioned to Hilton's development team in 2017, focusing on new hotel development and brand transitions for managed hotels. He was instrumental in adding 50 full-service and luxury hotels to Hilton's managed portfolio in the America’s.
A native Texan, he started in the industry as a busboy at the Waco Hilton while attending Baylor University. Robert continued his career with Hilton in northern California, rising to Regional Director of Sales & Marketing. Robert and his wife Melinda relocated to Hilton's corporate headquarters in Beverly Hills where he oversaw commercial activities for Hilton's full service and luxury brands in Southern California and Mexico.
Robert and family continued their move south when he was recruited to open the Hilton San Diego Bayfront and run the San Diego sales complex. There he directed the opening activities for this new build 1,200 room hotel, as well as the commercial activities for 25 other managed full service, luxury and resort hotels in Southern California and Mexico.
Robert enjoys golf and scuba diving. Ask him about his catamaran vacations in the BVI. He and Melinda have two sons.
MELINDA SPECK
Melinda Speck is an accomplished hospitality professional with a proven track record in brand development and marketing, known for her innovative strategies and ability to achieve financial results while maximizing team potential and motivation. Her depth of experience with both industry groundbreaking brands, like the launch of W Hotels, and fully independent hotels and resorts is well respected.
As Corporate Director of Marketing for JC Resorts in Southern California, Melinda led the marketing and leisure sales team of twenty-five professionals at an independent, family-owned hospitality company encompassing three acclaimed resorts; Rancho Bernardo Inn, Surf & Sand Resort, and Temecula Creek Inn. During Speck’s tenure from 2009 through 2019, the team consistently grew year on year market share, gained national recognition with the #1 Spa in North America as awarded by Conde Nast Traveler, garnered Top Resorts in Southern California awards from US News & World Report and grew share of voice amongst competitors.
Melinda was recruited to join the initial opening teams during the birth of W Hotels and charged with the pre-opening, launch, and stabilization of the first W Hotels' new build, located in San Francisco. The property recouped its $90M build price tag in just three years. As W Hotels’ Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing, she was instrumental in opening 17 hotels throughout North America. This included all aspects of brand stewardship, pre-opening lead-up and opening functions, partnership relationships, and sales team development.
After graduating with a degree in hospitality from Oregon State University, Melinda began her career at the 1,249 room Atlanta Hilton and 3,446 room Flamingo Hilton Las Vegas. She moved on to hold Director of Sales & Marketing positions with Red Lion Hotels across the West Coast, transitioned Pan Pacific Shapery Center to the Wyndham Emerald Plaza San Diego, and established Wyndham Hotel's first National Sales office in Northern California.
In a consultant capacity, Melinda has been instrumental in branding and marketing of 21c Museum Hotel, Louisville; The Keating, San Diego; Hotel Lulu, Anaheim and Pantai Inn, La Jolla; as well as J Street Space and Anagram Ventures out of San Diego.
Melinda enjoys yoga, scuba diving, and those magical times when all four Specks are engaged - together - in any activity.