Felix L. Madera

About Me

I am a global hospitality leader with over three decades of senior level experience including luxury resorts, boutique hotels and condominium projects. I played a pivotal role in hotel development and construction of new facilities, as well as renovations throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. One of my strong suits includes navigating diverse cultural marketplaces and business opportunities to deliver a focused approach to growing bottom line profitability.

Critical Skills:

International/Regional Project Management
Multi-facility Operational Expertise
Strategic Planning for acquisitions & new development opportunities
Knowledge of all Areas of Hotel Operations
Development of Revenue Sources and P & L Forecasting
International Brand Ambassador with in-depth problem resolution skills

Professional Experience

Sonesta Hotels, Resorts & Cruises, Executive Vice President of International Operations

1982 – 2015 Miami, Florida

Responsible for management of twenty-nine upscale luxury company owned and franchised properties with over 5,000 rooms and 6,000+ employees
Directed International operations for a $300M portfolio of hotel & resort properties in the Caribbean, Egypt, Italy, Peru, Latin America and the United States, including cruise ships in Egypt
Strategic Planning and Financial responsibility for operations, acquisitions, real estate development, asset management and cost alignment
Recruited executive talent to ensure consistency with corporate vision and mission allowing for market superiority relating to guest satisfaction scores
Led design and startup programs for new projects, prioritized capital projects, and reviewed and approved pro formas, assumptions and due diligence reports for new developments
Lead role in the negotiations of management and franchise agreements
Worked with owners and operators to identify new revenue streams and determine P & L Forecasting
Identified and vetted out new real-estate ventures and opportunities for brand expansion & market growth

Additional Experience

General Manager (82-85) Sonesta Beach Resort Key Biscayne and promoted to Executive VP/ International while continuing to manage all property operations through 2006.

Previously managed properties located in Anguilla, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Israel, Sanibel Island and Orlando.

Opened and operated seven first-class properties in Peru, leading Sonesta to become the market leader.
Oversaw opening and subsequent repositioning of 486-room Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort, while maximizing efficiency and profitability of operations, and ensuring maximum guest and owner satisfaction.

Expanded market share in Egypt growing from one unit to thirteen destinations plus added a fleet of six luxury cruise ships operating on the Nile during tenure as Vice President.

1971 – 1982 (11 years)

Eleven years of hospitality management experience in New Orleans, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Mexico with AmFac Resorts, Princess Hotels, Rock Resorts and the independent Hawaiian Regent Waikiki Hotel.

Board Experience

Greater Miami & the Beaches Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Miami Science Museum
President of the Hotel Association, Big Island of Hawaii

Education

Inter-American University of Puerto Rico-Metropolitan Campus-Bachelor of Science/Hospitality Management
Cornell University School of Hotel Administration
6 Month Executive Education Curriculum designed to refresh management, revenue and operational skills