Highgate Hawaii Appoints James Karabelas as Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Highgate, a leading real estate and hospitality management company, announced that James Karabelas has been appointed as Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Karabelas will lead Highgate's sales and marketing team across its 10 properties and expanding portfolio in Hawaii. He reports to Kelly Sanders, executive vice president of operations for the Hawaii region.
A seasoned sales and marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience, Karabelas joins Highgate from Aqua-Aston Hospitality, a business division of Marriott Vacations Worldwide where he served as the Vice President of Marketing for seven years, leading the company's brand marketing, media, digital, ecommerce and marketing technology strategy for more than 30 properties. During his tenure, he oversaw the openings and rebrands of 10 independent and franchise properties managed by Aqua-Aston. Prior, Karabelas led the strategic development and management of e-commerce and digital marketing programs at Castle Hospitality. He also served as a Senior Strategist at Saatchi & Saatchi, a global advertising agency in New York. He currently serves on the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau marketing committee and is on the Board of Directors for Volcano Art Center.
Karabelas holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and Communications from Boston University. He resides in Hawaii with his family.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
