The Journey to Opening Pier Sixty-Six Resort: A Year of Vision, Leadership, and Legacy

When I first set foot on the Marina at Pier Sixty-Six, the resort was still a dream in motion — a tapestry of blueprints, renderings, and passion waiting to take form. I was honored to be the first General Manager hired to lead the Food & Beverage pre-opening team, overseeing what would become one of the most ambitious culinary portfolios in South Florida: 12 distinct outlets, each with its own soul, rhythm, and story.

It wasn’t just about building restaurants — it was about crafting experiences that would define the rebirth of an iconic destination.

A Year of Creation in the Marina

Our first year was lived in the hum of construction, surrounded by cranes, salt air, and visionaries who shared one goal: to bring Pier Sixty-Six back to life. Working from the Marina — the beating heart of Fort Lauderdale’s yachting community — meant that inspiration was constant.

Every sunrise over the docks reminded me that we were creating something that would soon welcome guests from around the world. From concept boards to coffee tastings, from mock service runs in temporary spaces to leadership meetings on folding tables — every step was driven by pride and purpose.

That pre-opening year was more than preparation. It was a year of becoming — a year where ideas turned into rituals and spaces into destinations.

The Art of Building Twelve Worlds

Each of the twelve outlets told its own story, and I was entrusted to ensure they spoke in harmony:

• Calusso, where coastal Europe meets the sunshine state in Mediterranean elegance.

• Sotogrande, alive with the spices and warmth of the Eastern Mediterranean.

• Nectar Room, a tropical sushi bar glowing beside the adult pool.

• Windows on 66, our sophisticated lobby bar bridging day and night.

• Elate, the refined grab-and-go café where the resort’s mornings come alive with handcrafted coffees, teas, and artisanal pastries.

• Saltbreeze Latin Cafe

• Pier Top, and countless other vibrant concepts that form the resort’s culinary heartbeat.

• In Room Dining & Mini Bar

• Sweet 66: Our Sweet Shop

From menu direction to service philosophy, each venue was designed not only to satisfy but to surprise — a celebration of diversity, craft, and connection.

Designing Identity: Uniforms, Linens, and Rituals

Being part of a true pre-opening meant touching every detail. I led the creation of uniform designs for all twelve outlets, blending functionality with resort-chic aesthetics that reflected the personality of each space — from crisp coastal tones to elegant evening silhouettes.

We curated restaurant linens, selected fine tea programs, and developed signature service sequences that married luxury with warmth. Every SOP, every training program, every curated sensory experience was written with intention — a reflection of Pier Sixty-Six’s spirit: elevated yet welcoming, timeless yet new.

Leadership and Legacy

Out of hundreds of applicants, I was proud to be among the top 1% selected and the 33rd leader hired for this legendary reopening. What I carried most was not a title, but a mission: to shape culture from the ground up.

I built teams, mentored rising leaders, and helped transform a construction site into a living, breathing resort ready to serve with purpose. It was a privilege to watch ideas become teams, and teams become families.

In the world of luxury hospitality, opening a resort is more than a job — it’s a calling. Pier Sixty-Six became a reflection of that calling: innovation anchored in tradition, excellence guided by empathy.

Looking Back — and Ahead

Today, as guests arrive to discover the reborn Pier Sixty-Six Resort, I see not just restaurants and bars, but chapters of a story we wrote together — a story of creativity, resilience, and heart.

The pre-opening year was one of the most defining chapters of my career — a testament to the beauty of collaboration and the art of vision in motion.

Pier Sixty-Six isn’t just a resort. It’s a revival — and I’m honored to have helped lay its foundation.