Institutional Roots, Entrepreneurial Grit
Our Values
One Scoreboard: Investment Returns. And One Asset: Trust.
We are simply focused on doing what we said we were going to do. And being honest and straightforward in the twists and turns along the way.
Focus on What Really Matters and Dig Deeper.
Natural forces will not lead you here. This requires pattern recognition, commercial instincts and intellectual rigor.
Creating Value vs. Extracting Value.
The firms we admire and study create value in everything they do, bringing things into the world people want and need, rather than finding ways to extract value from the system.
Blitz When Everyone Else Breaks.
We play to win. This is a competitive edge and requires a team who shares a scrappy entrepreneurial spirit, a relentless hunger and a differentiated intensity.
Discipline, Discipline, Discipline.
Emotion is the enemy of winning investment decisions. Patience when things don’t make sense, aggressiveness when things do make sense, and self-awareness of what we know and don’t know are critical to our investment process.
Clarity is Power.
Every business naturally manufactures fog. We see it, we run towards it, understand the root cause, bring everyone together and do the hard work to create clarity for the team.
Always Think 10 Years Down the Road.
Our dedication to long-term decision frameworks pervades every corner of our business. We lead with a focus on outcomes ten years from now, not ten weeks or ten months.
Recruit and Invest in Top 5% Talent.
Great businesses simply give great people a chance. Never compromise on quality of people. Ever.
Be Humble. Be Curious. Be a Truth-Seeker.
We’ll never hide from a mistake, hide from what we don’t know, or hide from fundamental change. We are voracious truth-seekers in everything we evaluate: new assets, new hires, and ourselves. We embrace breaking, fixing, learning and constantly improving.
Help Others and Ask for Nothing in Return.
Our mentors taught us this simple, elegant formula that works in the ways you least expect.
Our Founders
Ben Weinberg
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Relevant prior experience:
Goldman Sachs, TPG, Sixth Street
Office location:
New York
Before founding Castle Peak and Trailborn, Ben spent his career investing in platforms and advising businesses at Goldman Sachs, TPG ($229 billion under management), and Sixth Street ($115 billion under management). He has worked on over $10 billion of transactions in commercial real estate, restructurings, private equity, and early stage equity investments. Ben is a graduate of Middlebury College. When Ben gets outside, you’ll find him hiking in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains with his wife Caroline and their son James, or fly fishing on the Eagle River. Ben is a member of the Investment Committee.
Mike Weiss
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Relevant prior experience:
Goldman Sachs, Compass
Office location:
New York
Before founding Castle Peak and Trailborn, Mike worked in investment banking and real estate private banking at Goldman Sachs before spending the next eight years building and operating real estate and hospitality businesses as a co-founder of Compass, co-founder of Rise, and a member of the early leadership team at Maple. Mike is a graduate of Cornell University and received an MBA from Stanford GSB. When Mike gets outside, you’ll find him hiking with his wife Sam searching for the highest peak, or on the golf course in search of his swing. Mike is a member of the Investment Committee.
Investment Firm & Development Company
David Better
Partner, Investments
Relevant prior experience:
GPC Partners, Benefit Street Partners, Cushman & Wakefield
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, David served in various real estate advisory and investment roles at Cushman & Wakefield, Benefit Street Partners Realty Trust and GPC Partners, a multi-strategy real estate investment firm, where he led new investment and capital markets activity. David is a graduate of Yale University. When David gets outside, you’ll find him waterskiing on Lake Waramaug or working off a night full of s’mores hiking the Litchfield Hills in Western Connecticut. David is a member of the Investment Committee.
Gregg Michel
Chief Financial Officer
Relevant prior experience:
Madison International Realty, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Gregg spent more than 15 years at Madison International Realty as a Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer, responsible for the fund accounting, financial reporting, and compliance functions. He also spent 7 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers as an audit manager in the Investment Management Group. Gregg is a graduate of James Madison University and a Certified Public Accountant. When Gregg gets outside, you’ll find him hiking in Maine with his wife Vanessa and their kids Evelyn, Bruce, and Jack or coaching them on the ballfields near their home on the Jersey Shore.
Eric Phillips
Managing Director, Capital Formation
Relevant prior experience:
Tishman Speyer
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Eric founded UpWind Real Estate Partners, a real estate placement firm. Before Upwind, Eric spent nine years at Tishman Speyer, where he worked in acquisitions, asset management, and development, ultimately co-managing the firm’s US Equity Capital Markets group. Eric is a graduate of Trinity College and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. When Eric gets outside, you’ll find him kiteboarding, skiing, or hiking all over the world.
David Goldstein
Managing Director, Strategic Operations
Relevant prior experience:
KSL Capital Partners, Peregrine Hospitality
Office location:
New York
Dave Goldstein, Managing Director, Strategic Operations. Prior to joining Castle Peak, Dave was Head of North America Hospitality for KSL Capital Partners where he led asset management, strategic execution, and operational performance for a multi-billion dollar portfolio of iconic resorts, hotels, and portfolio company platforms. Prior to KSL, he held various executive roles with Peregrine Hospitality (formerly KSL Resorts), B. F. Saul Company, and PKF Consulting (now CBRE Hotels Advisory). Dave is a graduate of The George Washington University School of Business where he received both BBA and Master of Tourism Administration degrees. He is a member of ULI and its Recreation Development Council. When Dave gets outside, you’ll find him with his family hiking, snowshoeing, cold plunging, at outdoor concerts, or napping on the beach while his kids build elaborate sand structures.
Laron Turley
Principal, Development & Construction
Relevant prior experience:
LOGE Camps, Replay Destinations, Soho House
Office location:
Park City
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Laron served as the Chief Development Officer at LOGE Camps, where he led their development and construction discipline. He previously led hospitality and residential developments in destination markets for Replay Destinations, Soho House, and others. Laron is a graduate of Arizona State University and received his Master’s, with Honors, from the University of Southern California. When Laron gets outside, you’ll find him wakesurfing with his wife, Rachel and three daughters Londyn, Riley, and Maddie on lakes and reservoirs near their home in Utah or skiing Powder Monkey at Park City Mountain.
Nikko Sansone
Principal, Business Development
Relevant prior experience:
Colliers
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Nikko specialized in sourcing niche acquisition and development opportunities as a Senior Associate at Colliers, a global commercial real estate brokerage. He is a graduate of DePauw University where he was captain of the football team. When Nikko gets outside, you’ll find him biking in Percy Priest Park, or running the Capitol steps in Nashville.
Shannon Turbidy
Vice President, Investments
Relevant prior experience:
KSL Capital Partners, UBS
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Shannon served in various investment and advisory roles at KSL Capital Partners, a leading travel and leisure investment firm, Acme Marinas, a marina focused investment platform, and UBS Investment Bank. Shannon is a graduate of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. When Shannon gets outside, you’ll find her skiing in Colorado or kiteboarding in the Caribbean.
Michael Cerepak
Vice President, Fund Finance & Operations
Relevant prior experience:
Brookfield Asset Management
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Michael spent three years at Brookfield as a Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis. Michael started his career at KPMG, in the audit practice, with clients in real estate, banking, and private equity. Michael has two undergraduate degrees from the University of Richmond in Business Administration and Leadership Studies. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. When Michael gets outside, you’ll find him skiing in Jackson Hole, working on his golf game, or scuba diving shipwrecks and reefs.
Sophie Aurelio
Director, Development & Construction
Relevant prior experience:
Bunkhouse Hotels
Office location:
Park City
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Sophie served as the Director of New Projects at Bunk House Group. Throughout her career she focused on streamlining development and construction projects around operations, design and brand goals to create unique hospitality experiences. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with an accredited degree in Interior Design. When Sophie gets outside, you can find her at Barton Springs or sitting fireside in the Texas Hill Country.
Jonah Deich
Associate, Investments
Relevant prior experience:
Goldman Sachs, JLL, Cape Resorts
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Jonah worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, where he was involved in more than $2.5 billion of commercial real estate transactions. He also spent time at JLL and Cape Resorts. Jonah graduated summa cum laude from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. When Jonah gets outside, you’ll find him roasting oysters on the barrier islands along the coast of Georgia, or sitting someplace scenic with his dog and guitar.
Preet Bhaidaswala
Associate, Investments
Relevant prior experience:
MCR Hotels
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Preet worked in Investments at Global Hospitality Investment Group, where she was responsible for the evaluation and execution of all U.S. Domestic hospitality transactions. She began her real estate career at MCR, the 3rd largest hotel owner-operator in the US, contributing to over $230 million in hotel acquisitions. Preet holds a degree in Economics from New York University. When Preet gets outside, you’ll find her skiing out West, running with the New York Road Runners, or diving in the tropics.
Liam Doyle
Manager, Development & Construction
Relevant prior experience:
ISEC
Office location:
Park City
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Liam was a Project Manager on various large commercial projects with ISEC, including the Salt Lake City International Airport Redevelopment Program and the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. Liam earned a Bachelor of Political Science from Abilene Christian University. When Liam gets outside, you’ll find him skiing, mountain biking or trail running with his dog Waffle in the Wasatch Mountains.
Julia Armani
Associate, Platform Finance & Operations
Relevant prior experience:
HFR
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Julia held various positions in finance, accounting and operations at HFR. Julia is a graduate of DePaul University. When Julia gets outside, you’ll find her running on trails around the city, visiting local farmers markets, or camping at state parks in Northern Minnesota.
Jaclyn Anderson
Platform Administration & Operations
Relevant prior experience:
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Castle Peak, Jaclyn was an Administrative Assistant at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She has over ten years of experience in healthcare administration. Jaclyn is a graduate of Rowan University. When Jaclyn gets outside, you’ll find her running through Liberty State Park or walking along the beach at the Jersey Shore.
Brand & Operating Company
Matt Werner
Chief Financial Officer
Relevant prior experience:
hotelAVE
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Matt was an Assistant Vice President at hotelAVE, a leading independent hospitality and real estate investment manager. He focused on the asset management of both branded and non-branded hotels. Prior to hotelAVE, Matt worked at a New York-based family office, where he started as a GM and ultimately oversaw their hospitality portfolio. Matt is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received an MBA from the Zicklin School of Business. When Matt gets outside, you’ll find him running and spending time on Lake George with his dog Red.
Greg Hathaway
Executive Creative Director, Design & Creative
Relevant prior experience:
MoMA, Zocdoc, ClassPass
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Greg held Creative Director positions at Zocdoc, ClassPass, and Maple. Prior to joining Maple, he was an Associate Creative Director at MoMA in the Museum’s department of Advertising and Graphic Design. In addition to in-house roles, Greg has worked at branding and advertising agencies such as VSA Partners, Eleven Inc. and Berlin Cameron United. Greg is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. When Greg gets outside, you’ll find him running in Prospect Park, or hiking in the Poconos with his wife Aimee and their daughters, Tilda and Rei.
Jennifer McCarthy
Senior Vice President, Marketing
Relevant prior experience:
Aparium Hotel Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Jennifer was the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Aparium Hotel Group, where she led the marketing discipline, including performance marketing, brand management, PR, and digital strategy. Jennifer previously spent over 20 years in three different marketing roles across Starwood Hotels & Resorts, ITT Sheraton and Hyatt Hotels. Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree from Lake Forest College. When Jennifer gets outside, you’ll find her hiking or cycling in the back woods of Connecticut, fly fishing on the ponds of Maine, or snowboarding with her husband and their three daughters.
Margalit Kohanim
Vice President, Property & Experience Development
Relevant prior experience:
Ace Hotels, MCR Hotels, Highgate Hotels
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Margalit served as the Senior Director of Openings and Project Management for Atelier Ace / Ace Hotels, where she led all new hotel openings for the brand globally. Throughout her career, she has overseen hotel renovations and new development projects for owners, operators, and brands, with a focus on boutique and lifestyle properties. She previously held project management roles at MCR Investors and Highgate Hotels. Margalit is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. When Margalit gets outside, you’ll find her hiking new trails, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea near where she grew up, or eating her way through a new city.
Seth Schreiner
Vice President, Marketing
Relevant prior experience:
Ribbon
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Seth led marketing at Ribbon, where he oversaw Performance Marketing, Product Marketing, Lifecycle/CRM, Content/SEO and Brand. His previous experience ranged across marketing roles at early and late-stage businesses. Seth is a graduate of the University of Vermont. When Seth gets outside, you’ll find him skiing in the Green Mountains or the Sierra Nevadas, mountain biking in Vermont.
Jonathan Sigler
Vice President, Finance & Accounting
Relevant prior experience:
Highgate Hotels
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Jonathan led the Finance & Accounting functions for C3’s food halls. He previously worked at Highgate Hotels for 10 years. Jonathan is a graduate of Susquehanna University with a degree in Mathematics & Actuarial Science. When Jonathan gets outside, you’ll find him driving through a national or state park to take photos or walking his dog along local trails.
Sean Johnston
Vice President, Operations
Relevant prior experience:
Magna Hospitality, Moxy Hotels, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Sean worked at Tishman Speyer, managing 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, and 620 5th Ave. Before to joining Tishman, Sean spent 18 years in hotel management, managing hotels along the East Coast. More recently, Sean was the Opening Hotel Manager and General Manager of the Moxy Chelsea. Sean earned a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech. When Sean gets outside, you’ll find him skiing in Vermont at Mad River Glen and playing on his ice hockey team at Chelsea Piers.
Amanda Kusek
Senior Director, Brand Operations
Relevant prior experience:
Ace Hotels, Highgate Hotels
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Amanda served as the Director of OS&E for Atelier Ace / Ace Hotels. Throughout her career, Amanda has managed product development and branding initiatives for hotels, airlines, and cruise lines with her primary focus in boutique and independent hotel properties. Amanda is a graduate of the University of Iowa. When Amanda gets outside, you’ll find her swimming in the icy, Atlantic waters of New England or exploring nearby hiking trails.
Megan Albright
Corporate Director, Transitions & Special Projects
Relevant prior experience:
Deloitte
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Megan was a consultant at Deloitte, where she managed cross-functional client projects and led internal strategic initiatives. Megan is a graduate of Virginia Tech. When Megan gets outside, you’ll find her boating on the Intracoastal in Charleston with her family.
Imogen Arnold
Design Director, Design & Creative
Relevant prior experience:
L&L
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Imogen was a brand and digital designer at Brooklyn-based studio L+L. Imogen is a graduate of Curtin University. When Imogen gets outside, you’ll find her strolling the Brooklyn Bridge Parks or taking an early morning swim at the beach.
Andrew Sherman
Corporate Director, Food & Beverage
Relevant prior experience:
Union Square Hospitality Group, Major Food Group
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Andrew worked at Baxtrom Hospitality Group, Union Square Hospitality Group and Major Food Group in Culinary, Front of House Management and Director roles. Andrew is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, and New York University with degrees in Culinary Arts, Mathematics and Psychology. When Andrew gets outside, you’ll find him camping and hiking with friends or stuck in a sand trap.
Eston Miles
Corporate Director, Information Technology
Relevant prior experience:
MCR Hotels, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Eston worked at MCR Hotels where he led technology innovation for their portfolio of 150 hotels. Prior to MCR, Eston spent 15 years across various technology leadership roles in hospitality, including Equinox Hotels, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott International. When Eston gets outside, you’ll find him hiking and lakeside camping with his husband and dog.
Mariana Hristopoulos
Corporate Director, Human Resources
Relevant prior experience:
Eataly
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Mariana was the Director of Human Resources at QC Terme. Prior to that, she spent 10 years across various operational and human resources leadership roles in hospitality, including Eataly. She is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice and holds a Master’s Degree from Adelphi University. When Mariana gets outside, you’ll find her practicing photography in scenic locations or playing soccer with her son, Giovanni.
Kyle Hall
Corporate Director, Revenue Management
Relevant prior experience:
MCR Hotels
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Kyle worked for MCR Hotels. Previously, Kyle was a Regional Director of Revenue Management with M&R Hotels, Crescent Hotels, Kimpton Hotels and TPG Hotels & Resorts. Kyle is a graduate of The University at Albany and is a HSMAI Certified Revenue Management Executive. When Kyle gets outside, you’ll find him traveling and exploring new places with his wife Jen and two kids, Mason and Madison.
Brian Cooke
Corporate Director, Sales
Relevant prior experience:
YOTEL, Freehand Hotels
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Brian served as Senior Director of Global Sales at YOTEL. Brian began his career with Ritz-Carlton before moving into boutique lifestyle hotels with The James brand in Miami and New York. He later led group sales and business travel partnerships at GrandLife Hotels, and in 2020, built a global sales team for Generator Hotels, including the Freehand brand. When Brian gets outside, you’ll find him golfing, followed by a day at the beach with his wife and two kids.
Cameron Pierce
Associate, Financial Planning & Analysis
Relevant prior experience:
Highgate Hotels, Life House
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Cameron served in various operational and asset management roles at Highgate Hotels, Life House, and Tishman Hotels & Realty. Cameron is a graduate from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. When Cameron gets outside, you’ll find him going for long runs or water skiing out in Long Island.
Megan Shelton
Manager, Social Media & Brand Marketing
Relevant prior experience:
StuntmanPR
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Megan was a publicist and social media strategist at StuntmanPR, a New York-based communications agency specializing in hospitality. Megan is a graduate of Syracuse University. When Megan gets outside, you’ll find her walking her dog Pandi through Domino Park, or swimming along Long Beach Island.
Nancy Hu
Visual Designer, Design & Creative
Relevant prior experience:
2×4
Office location:
New York
Prior to joining Trailborn, Nancy was a brand designer at New York-based studio 2×4. Nancy is a graduate of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. When Nancy gets outside, you’ll find her biking or strolling around the city.