RESORT & HOTEL – DESTINATION KOHLER & DESTINATION ST. ANDREWS

Group President - Hospitality & Real Estate, Kohler Co.: Scott Anderson is responsible for the continued growth and award-winning status of the Group in its global operations. He is charged with ensuring that the service levels and physical properties reflect iconic leadership in the world’s luxury resort markets. Anderson serves as the General Chairperson for the 2010 PGA Championship.

Scott Anderson comes to Kohler Co. as Vice Chairman of Quintess, one of the largest resort destination clubs in the industry. He also has been President and CEO of High Country Hospitality - a hospitality management and technology company. From 1994 to 1996, he was a Managing Director of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia with responsibility for all ticket sales, accommodations, merchandise, food and beverage, sponsor hospitality and marketing.

From 1990 to 1994, he was President and CEO of Callaway Gardens and the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation in Pine Mountain, Georgia, a complex that included 770 rooms, 17 tennis courts, 63 holes of golf, 7 dining outlets, 9 lakes and 1200 acres of hunting preserve. The Foundation included a 2500 acre horticultural theme park. From 1979 to 1990, he was President of the world-class Hotel del Coronado near San Diego, California which received the Gold Key for 12 consecutive years.

Scott Anderson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Administration in 1972 from Washington State University. On its 75th anniversary, the Hotel School declared Mr. Anderson one of the 75 leaders of the industry over the prior 75 years.

Managing Director - The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St. Andrews: Debbie Taylor, Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Hotelier of the Year, is the new managing director. Recently named Hotel Review’s Scottish Hotel of the Year 2007 and again awarded the AA 5 Red Stars and the prestigious AA’s Inspectors Choice Award 2007, the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa will continue to add to its list of successes with Debbie managing the property.

Debbie Taylor is responsible for total operations at the five-star hotel as well as The Duke’s golf venue, Kohler Waters Spa and any future Kohler Co. developments in St. Andrews. 

Previously with Rocco Forte Hotels, Debbie has been General Manager at The Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh for the last three years, where she oversaw an extensive refurbishment and earned the prestigious award of 2006 RAC United Kingdom Hotelier of the Year. Prior appointments include general manager and sales & marketing director at St. David’s Hotel & Spa, Cardiff as well as a series of sales executive roles at Marriott hotels. Debbie is currently serving Councillor of the Institute of Hospitality and is Deputy Chair of the British Hospitality Association. She is also a Master Innholder and Freeman of the City of London and was most recently awarded Manager of the Year 2007 by Hotel and Caterer magazine. 

Taylor holds a general manager certificate from Cornell University in New York and a Master of Science degree with distinction in Hospitality Management from the International Management Centre Association in Buckingham.

Vice President - Lodging, Certified Wine Educator: Stephen Beaumont is responsible for the successful operation of all Kohler Co. lodging, including Riverbend, The American Club, Inn on Woodlake and Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland. Beaumont joined Kohler Co. in 2001 as General Manager of Riverbend.

Previously he was President and Partner of Immersive Communications, a company specializing in hotel and resort marketing. Prior to that, Beaumont served as General Manager-Keswick Hall in Charlottesville, Va. and Deputy General Manager-The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. He also managed several other luxury hotels in England.

Beaumont earned his diploma in hotel, catering, and institutional management from Westminster Technical College in London and received his hotel operations and management training through the Savoy Group in England and at the Lausanne Palace Hotel in Switzerland.

As a Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Wine Educator, he enjoys sharing his extensive wine knowledge with members, guests and associates

KOHLER WATERS SPA – KOHLER (Wisconsin), BURR RIDGE (Chicago), ST. ANDREWS (Scotland)

Director - Wellness Business and Product Development: Jean Kolb has been with Kohler Co. for more than 30 years. Kolb has held a number of positions within the corporate and hospitality businesses of Kohler Co. Focusing on the health and wellness industry for the past 15 years, Kolb has been instrumental in the planning, development and construction of the Kohler Waters Spa in Kohler, St. Andrews and the development of the Kohler Waters Spa at Burr Ridge. She continues to oversee Sports Core along with Kohler Waters Spa and spa operations at Riverbend, Destination Kohler’s Private Members-Only Club. In addition, Kolb is responsible for all future spa development.  She currently serves on the Board of Directors as Chairman of the International Spa Association (ISPA).

Manager - Kohler Waters Spa at Burr Ridge: Miriam Huntley joined the Kohler Co. in February 2008 to manage the company's third Kohler Waters Spa location and first Day Spa. The Kohler Waters Spa at Burr Ridge is located in Burr Ridge, Illinois, 20 miles southwest of downtown Chicago.  Huntley is responsible for overseeing the daily operations as well as the long term vision of the Spa.Miriam comes to Kohler via the Wintergreen Resort in Virginia where she served as Spa Director for the 12,000 square- foot spa and salon.  Prior to that she was Spa Director at the Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa in Birmingham, Alabama where she oversaw the construction and completion of a new 12,000-square-foot, 10 treatment room spa and salon.  Her Spa career began in Colorado, where she was the Spa/Recreation Director for Cordillera Resort located in the Vail Valley.  A native of Wisconsin, Huntley holds a Master of Science degree in Recreation Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Programming from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

CULINARY – KITCHENS OF KOHLER

Group Director - Culinary Arts for Destination Kohler and Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa: Chef Ulrich Koberstein joined the Kohler Co. in December 2004 as the executive chef managing all the culinary operations at the Midwest’s only AAA Five-Diamond resort-hotel The American Club. Koberstein was promoted to Group Director Culinary Arts in 2006, assuming the additional responsibilities of front-of-house food and beverage operations at Destination Kohler in Kohler, Wis., and at The Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in St. Andrews, Scotland. As a national spokesperson for the Kitchens of Kohler restaurants and for the Kohler Kitchen & Bath Plumbing Group, Koberstein provides insight into culinary artistry, entertaining, product features and kitchen design. Koberstein frequently appears on regional and national television, headlines at culinary events such as the James Beard House in New York City and the annual Kohler Food & Wine Experience, and presents at national kitchen and builder tradeshows among other accolades. 

“It is important to keep the flavors pure, clean and intense. I want my customer to taste what they order and not have their palate overwhelmed by a myriad of confusing flavors or spices. Food combinations should complement each other and enhance the main ingredient to create culinary memories. I believe that passion for food is infectious I want all of my cooks to feel that same passion,” said Koberstein.

Koberstein was born in Namibia, Africa, and has lived in eight different countries, traveling extensively and exposing him to various cultures and exciting food. His passion for cooking started at a young age. “My mother is an excellent cook. I assumed that everybody ate the way we did. Roast goose, veal Schnitzel, and steak tartar were regulars for dinner. A hot breakfast an absolute necessity to start the day right and plenty of fresh fish was needed to feed a growing brain. What a shock it was to find out that there were people out there who could not cook and did not eat the way we did. The only negative thing was trying to find somebody to swap my school lunch with on chicken liver pate days. I knew from a young age that food would one day become my career.”

Receiving an accounting degree at the Technical University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, he found himself working as a cost management accountant in the manufacturing industry. He soon realized that this was not his ideal career choice and that it was time to follow his dream. 

In 1994 he attended the Cordon Bleu culinary school in London where he earned a scholarship to complete his studies. This meant assisting the chefs in teaching as well as being a student. Upon graduation he started in the kitchen of Nico Ladenis’ three Michelin star Chez Nico @ Ninety Park Lane Restaurant. 

Three years later Koberstein came to America to join the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company with stints at the Boston and Boston Common properties. He quickly moved up the ladder from cook tournant to chef, taking over as Executive Chef after only eight years of professional cooking. During his tenure his restaurant received Conde Nast Traveler’s Top Fifty New Restaurants in the World award as well as four star reviews by the Boston Herald. The hotel received Travel + Leisure’s top 100 Hotels in the World Award.  

Executive Sous Chef of The American Club - Chef Ryan Anderson joined The American Club as the Executive Sous Chef in March 2005. Chef Anderson lived in Kalamazoo, Mich., giving him the opportunity to appreciate the indigenous foods from the Midwest’s fresh gardens, local farms, and wild game. During his studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Chef Anderson gained his initial culinary experience in local restaurants. After graduating in 1997 with a double major in Biology and Philosophy he decided to proceed with his calling for food.

He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in 2000. Armed with passion, Chef Anderson moved to New York City to develop his culinary talent with an opportunity to work for famed Chef Jean-Jacque Rochou at La Cote Basque. Chef Anderson later relocated to Boston at Todd English’s Olives restaurant, eventually making his home at the Ritz-Carlton Boston and opening the Ritz-Carlton Boston Common.  It is here at the Ritz-Carlton that he met with now Executive Chef of The American Club Ulrich Koberstein and trained directly with him for five years, serving as Restaurant Chef. Since Spring 2005, Chef Anderson has been charged with overseeing the culinary operations and employing imaginative culinary offerings alongside Executive Chef Ulrich Koberstein at The American Club, the Midwest’s only AAA Five-Diamond resort-hotel.    

GOLF – BLACKWOLF RUN, WHISTLING STRAITS, THE DUKE’S

Group Director of Golf: Jim Richerson joined Kohler Co. in February 2007.  His responsibilities include managing of all aspects of the golf businesses for the Kohler Co.  These golf properties include world-renowned Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run golf venues in Kohler, Wisconsin, and The Duke’s St. Andrews, part of the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in St. Andrews, Scotland.  He is responsible for ensuring the global golf business leads the industry in terms of service levels, course aesthetics, guest experience, recognition, and profitability. Richerson has more than 20 years of experience in the golf industry. He is a proven professional with noteworthy results in fiscal management, sales and marketing, food and beverage, golf course maintenance, strategic planning and new business development.

Richerson comes to Kohler from the PGA of America having served as Senior Director of PGA Golf Properties. During the first 18 years of his career, Richerson was affiliated with the Marriott & Ritz-Carlton Hotel Corporation, holding various executive and management positions at several of the corporation’s upscale golf properties, including Director of Golf Operations at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida as well as General Manager & Golf Professional positions at courses in Georgia, Hawaii, California, Arizona and Missouri. He has been a PGA Member since 1995 and serves as a member of the 2010 PGA Championship Executive Committee.

Manager of Golf Operations & Retail Merchandise - Whistling Straits & Blackwolf Run: Dirk Willis is the Manager of Operations & Merchandising for both Destination Kohler golf venues – Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run in the Village of Kohler, Wisconsin. Dirk assumed his position in November 2006. Dirk is responsible for ensuring the golf, retail and on-course Food and Beverage operations lead the industry in terms of service levels, guest experience, recognition, and profitability. Willis is a former PGA National Award winner receiving the Resort-Merchandiser of the Year Award in 2007. He joined the Kohler Co. Hospitality & Real Estate Division in 1994 serving in several golf positions. A native of Platteville, Wisconsin, he holds an MBA from Marquette University and a certificate of Food and Beverage Management from Cornell University and a certificate in Executive Management from Kellogg School of Management. Dirk has been a PGA member since 1999 and serves on the Executive Committee for the 2010 PGA Championship and has been an integral part of all Kohler Championships.

Head Golf Professional: Michael O’Reilly is the Head Golf Professional at Whistling Straits. He has been with Blackwolf Run & Whistling Straits since 1996 when he was hired as an Assistant Golf Professional. A class “A” PGA Member, he is responsible for leading the golf operations team at Whistling Straits. O'Reilly is also a Lead Instructor for the Kohler Golf Academy with over 7 years of experience teaching the game and serves as the Executive Vice-Chair of the Administration Committees for the 2010 PGA Championship. A native of Darien, Illinois, he holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from Augustana College and a MBA from Cardinal Stritch University.

Head Golf Professional: David Albrecht is the Head Golf Professional at Blackwolf Run.  A PGA member since 1998, he joined the Blackwolf Run staff in 1992 as an assistant golf professional and has also served as tournament division coordinator, outside services supervisor and assistant head professional for the Kohler golf course.  He is  responsible for ensuring the golf business at Blackwolf Run leads the industry in terms of service levels, guest experience, and profitability. David is also a Lead Instructor for the Kohler Golf Academy which is rated in the Top 50 Golf Schools ranked by Golf Magazine.   

Manager - The Duke’s Course: David Scott joined The Duke’s in August 2008 after serving as the Director of Golf at Kingsbarns Golf Links since 1999. He was previously Head Professional at Balbirnie Park Golf Club in Fife (1996-1999); Letham Grange Golf Resort in Arbroath (1987-1996); and Assistant Golf Professional at Blairgowrie Golf Club in Perthshire (1982-1987). Scott is currently the Vice Chairman, Scottish Region of the PGA and has been a Committee Member since 1997. David was born and raised in the St Andrews area and is renowned for his local knowledge and golfing contacts, having built up strong relationships with the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews Links Trust, European Tour, the British PGA, The Scottish Golf Union and leading golf tour operators. He has also assisted with major golfing tournaments, including the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Manager - Golf Course Maintenance:  Michael Lee joined Kohler Co. as Blackwolf Run Golf Course Superintendent in 1993.  He supervised the course conditioning during the 1998 U.S. Women’s Open held at Blackwolf Run.  In 1999, he was promoted to oversee golf course maintenance at both Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits.  He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a degree in plant sciences, specializing in turf and grounds management.  His golf course experience includes five years as assistant superintendent for Blue Mound Golf and Country Club in Wauwatosa, Wis., and five years with Blackhawk Country Club in Madison, Wis.  He also worked for the U.W.-Madison plant pathology department.

Manager of Kohler Golf Academy: Todd Wagner manages the daily operations of the Kohler Golf Academy. Serving as lead instructor, Wagner trains all Kohler Golf Academy instructors ensuring the quality of instruction, and growing Kohler Golf Academy through lesson programs and golf schools. Wagner began his career at Kohler as a golf professional in April 1996, and was active in the development of the Kohler Golf Academy.  In 2008, Wagner became the Manager with his primary focus on the promotion, selling and management of Kohler Golf Academy’s daily operations.

Merchandise Manager - Blackwolf Run & Whistling Straits: Josue Reyes ensures the retail business at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits leads the industry in terms of service levels, aesthetics, product offerings, guest experience, recognition and profitability.  Reyes has over 8 years experience in the golf industry.  As a Class “A” golf professional, he is a proven professional with noteworthy results in revenue growth and visual merchandising.  He was previously with The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Sarasota, Florida, where he served them as Head PGA Golf Professional. Prior to his position as Head Professional, he served as the Golf Shop Manager for the club and was instrumental in the initial design and layout of their golf shop. Josue's professionalism and attention to detail helped the club become the only AAA Five Diamond Ritz Carlton Golf Club Resort in the US.