At Grand Pacific Resorts, we believe in celebrating the people who bring our vision to life—our incredible team members. This year, we proudly recognized our 2024 BE EPIC Champions at the highly anticipated 2025 Best of the Best Gala, an evening dedicated to honoring the exceptional individuals who make our resorts truly special.
A Night of Recognition and Celebration
The Best of the Best Gala is more than just an awards ceremony; it’s a moment to spotlight the heart and soul of Grand Pacific Resorts—our dedicated team members. This year’s event welcomed esteemed Board Members, industry leaders, and special guests, including Jason Gamel, President and CEO of ARDA, as well as representatives from Fidelity National Timeshare and RCI. Their presence underscored the significance of our honorees’ contributions to the hospitality industry.
What It Means to BE EPIC
At Grand Pacific Resorts, our culture is built on our core values: Balance, Empowerment, Enthusiasm, Passion, Integrity, and Consistency—what we call BE EPIC. Our Best of the Best honorees exemplify these principles through their outstanding service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to creating unforgettable vacation experiences for our Owners and Guests.
“Our team members are the heart of Grand Pacific Resorts, and the Best of the Best Celebration is our opportunity to recognize their passion and commitment,” said David Brown, Co-owner and Co-President. “To have industry leaders join us in honoring these individuals highlights just how impactful their contributions are—not only within Grand Pacific Resorts but across the hospitality industry.”
Honoring Our 2024 BE EPIC Champions
This year, we proudly celebrated a remarkable group of team members whose dedication and hard work continue to shape Grand Pacific Resorts.
Congratulations to:
- Martha Hutchins (Capistrano SurfSide Inn) – Housekeeping Room Attendant
- Joseph Manligas (Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort) – Houseman
- Miriam Trujillo (Carlsbad Seapointe Resort) – Front Desk Supervisor
- Jesus Gonzalez (Channel Island Shores) – Maintenance Tech
- Rogie Reyes (Casitas Del Monte) – House Attendant
- Daniel Medina (Coronado Beach Resort) – House Attendant
- Joy Ramos (Grand Pacific Palisades) – Guest Service Agent
- Jackie Hawelu (Makai Club Resort) – Guest Services Manager
- Esmeralda Negrete (Olympic Village Inn) – Administrative Assistant
- Mari Mejia (Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge) – Housekeeping Room Attendant
- Cameron Yancey (Red Wolf Lodge at Olympic Valley) – Front Desk Manager
- Cecilia Gonzalez (RiverPointe Napa Valley) – Housekeeping Room Attendant
- Frank Villalvazo (San Clemente Cove) – Maintenance Manager
- Denise Gonzales (San Clemente Inn) – Operations Manager – Sales & Admin
- Elisa Perez (Southern California Beach Club) – Housekeeping Room Attendant
- Araceli Cobian (San Diego Country Estates) – Housekeeping Supervisor
- Manny Bribriesca (Tahoe Sands Resort) – Housekeeping Supervisor
- Eva Almeria (Vista Mirage Resort) – Guest Services Associate
- Gene Reyes (Wave Crest Resort) – Maintenance Supervisor
- Lucille Tillotson (Legacy Sales) – Legacy Resorts Resales Agent
- Jude Hogan (Grand Pacific Vacation Services) – Call Center Lead
- Isabel Cruz DeGuzman (Hilton Grand Vacations Club at MarBrisa) – Housekeeping of Public Areas
- Ophelia Parada (Indian Palms Vacation Club) – Lead Housekeeping Room Attendant
- Nestor Dumayas (Hanalei Bay Resort) – Maintenance Tech
Special Recognitions
In addition to our BE EPIC Champions, we honored those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and impact:
BE EPIC Spirit Award Winners:
- Kendal Dean (Vista Mirage Resort, General Manager)
- Grand Pacific Resorts’ Marketing & Communications Team – Celebrating 10 years of “Time Together,” a publication that has inspired over 100,000 Owner families with engaging stories and insights.
General Managers of the Year:
- Shannon Kucharski (San Clemente Cove)
- Wilbert Tai Hook (Makai Club Resort)
Resort of the Year:
Join the Celebration!
We invite you to celebrate these incredible team members with us! Follow Grand Pacific Resorts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to see highlights from the 2025 Best of the Best Celebration. Missed the event? Watch the full Livestream replay!
At Grand Pacific Resorts, we believe that heartfelt hospitality makes all the difference. Congratulations again to our 2024 BE EPIC Champions—your dedication, enthusiasm, and passion inspire us all!