top of page
hotel-cashiers-final-56.jpg

Meet the Team

Brett.png

D. Brett Stewart
Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Real Estate and Hospitality Investment, Development, Strategy & Finance

Brett has over 15 years of experience in real estate and hospitality investments worldwide. Brett’s experience includes leading strategy and corporate finance at a >$3bn top publicly traded Hotel REIT, serving as an SVP of Acquisitions & Development at the world’s leading third-party hotel management company, a stint at Hilton Worldwide and significant experience dealing with all the major brands as well as luxury and boutique hotels globally.

•    Columbia University, MBA (Finance, Real Estate)
•    University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, BA
•    US Fulbright Scholar
•    Named Top 15 Emerging Leaders in Hotels

Daniel.png

Daniel Fletcher
Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Head of Operations , Architecture & Design, Branding & Marketing, Media

Daniel leads the hotel operations as well as creative branding and marketing efforts for all properties. His background encompasses architecture & design with several high end international firms in NYC and DC, construction management, as well as branding and graphic design. Daniel has co- designed and overseen the construction of ultra-luxury residential projects as well as hotel and restaurant designs worldwide. Daniel chaired the Jackson County TDA for 2 years, and still serves on the TDA board, the Chamber of Commerce board and the Cashiers Planning Council committee. 

•    Pratt Institute, Bachelor of Architecture, Honors
•    Pratt Institute, Minor in Const. Management
•    VP - Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce
•    Jackson County Tourism Board 

Tay.png

Taylor Stewart
Managing Partner

Due Diligence, Construction & Development, Licensed General Contractor

Taylor is actively involved in evaluating investment opportunities, provides critical support for physical and site due diligence as well as all renovation and maintenance projects. Taylor leads Stewart Construction, a luxury residential and commercial (hospitality, retail, office, education) general contractor and developer with over 35 years experience in Western North Carolina. Taylor serves on several boars in Jackson County.

•    Extensive experience in the area’s most exclusive clubs
•    Fully-licensed Commercial General Contractor

Screenshot 2025-01-19 at 9.41.05 AM.png

Chef Kelly Barbato

Food & Beverage Operations

​

Chef Kelly, a local of Cashiers-Highlands Plateau, studied under Chef Nick Figel, who emphasized the exceptional food that results from cooking seasonal and local food in global styles. Kelly then spent time cooking at King + Duke in Atlanta, where traditional Southern meals moved from grandma’s kitchen to the best dining room in town. He is proud to serve the best mountain cookery and hopes to bring our region’s flavors to visitors and friends alike.

0E2A9139-2.jpg

Steve Powell

Hotel Operations Lead

Screenshot 2025-01-19 at 9.41.31 AM.png

Victor Venjohn

Front of House, Guest Services

Cheerful Waitress

Katharine Conner

Front of House, Food & Beverage

Screenshot 2025-01-19 at 9.41.22 AM.png

Jessica Edwards

Pastry Chef

Screenshot 2025-01-19 at 9.41.16 AM.png

Gabriel McCoy

Food & Beverage Lead,

Sommelier, Operations

0E2A9563.jpg

Riekert Smith

Construction & Project Management, Maintenance, Special Projects

0E2A9568.jpg

Ashley Stewart

Real Estate Sales & Acquisition,

Licensed Broker-In-Charge

Screenshot 2025-01-19 at 9.41.54 AM.png
Screenshot 2025-01-19 at 9.41.38 AM.png

Kaitlynne Schroeder

Evelyn Cotterman

Front of House, Food & Beverage

Front of House, Guest Services

Chef

Ian Waugh

Food & Beverage

0E2A9182.jpg

Holly Pruitt

Property Manager

bottom of page