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Meet The Team
Teddy Yang
CEO
Teddy Yang, CEO of Burgeon Hotel Group, has 20+ years of international operations experience. He began in film production before transitioning to hospitality in 2013, overseeing U.S. hotel and corporate operations. He led the Sheraton Gateway LAX renovation (2015–2017) and the preopening of Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel (2017), which won Best Opening Sheraton (2018) and Best Sheraton in North America (2019). Teddy holds a Master Series certificate in Advanced Hospitality Management from Cornell University.
Teddy Yang, CEO of Burgeon Hotel Group, has 20+ years of international operations experience. He began in film production before transitioning to hospitality in 2013, overseeing U.S. hotel and corporate operations. He led the Sheraton Gateway LAX renovation (2015–2017) and the preopening of Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel (2017), which won Best Opening Sheraton (2018) and Best Sheraton in North America (2019). Teddy holds a Master Series certificate in Advanced Hospitality Management from Cornell University.
Andy Tai
CFO
Andy has a strong background in finance and real estate. He previously held key financial roles at LuxSonor, Universal Paragon, and Burgeon’s parent company, managing acquisitions, budgeting, and corporate finance. He holds a Master’s in Economics and a B.S. in Business Administration from San Jose State University.
Andy has a strong background in finance and real estate. He previously held key financial roles at LuxSonor, Universal Paragon, and Burgeon’s parent company, managing acquisitions, budgeting, and corporate finance. He holds a Master’s in Economics and a B.S. in Business Administration from San Jose State University.
Robert Montes
Regional Director of Hotel Operation
Robert brings over 25 years of hospitality experience and has excelled in key leadership roles throughout his career. Starting as a Front Desk Clerk, he advanced into positions such as Front Office Manager, Director of Housekeeping, Revenue Manager, and Renovations Project Manager. His diverse background—including hotel maintenance—has shaped him into a well-rounded leader, now serving as Director of Hotel Operations.
Robert also has deep experience working with hotel unions, fostering strong partnerships between management and labor to support a fair, productive workplace. His skill in labor negotiations, contract compliance, and employee relations has been vital to maintaining smooth operations.
Robert brings over 25 years of hospitality experience and has excelled in key leadership roles throughout his career. Starting as a Front Desk Clerk, he advanced into positions such as Front Office Manager, Director of Housekeeping, Revenue Manager, and Renovations Project Manager. His diverse background—including hotel maintenance—has shaped him into a well-rounded leader, now serving as Director of Hotel Operations.
Robert also has deep experience working with hotel unions, fostering strong partnerships between management and labor to support a fair, productive workplace. His skill in labor negotiations, contract compliance, and employee relations has been vital to maintaining smooth operations.
Fred Kokash
Regional Director of Sales and Marketing
Fred Kokash is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 30 years of experience in hotel operations and sales. His career began as a Front Desk Agent in Southern California, where he quickly advanced into leadership roles with Starwood and Marriott, including General Manager and Director of Sales & Marketing. Throughout his career, Fred has successfully led pre-openings, developed high-performing teams, and implemented service-driven initiatives that enhance both guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
At Sheraton San Gabriel, Fred played a pivotal role in achieving prestigious accolades, including Marriott Opening Hotel of the Year and North America Sheraton of the Year. As a certified Sheraton Brand Culture Trainer and Six Sigma Black Belt, he specializes in optimizing processes, improving team collaboration, and fostering strong workplace cultures. His expertise in emotional intelligence training has been instrumental in coaching teams, enhancing leadership development, and creating dynamic, people-focused environments.
With a B.S. in Psychology from CSU Fullerton, Fred combines strategic business acumen with a deep understanding of human behavior, allowing him to drive performance, engagement, and long-term success in the hospitality industry.
Fred Kokash is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 30 years of experience in hotel operations and sales. His career began as a Front Desk Agent in Southern California, where he quickly advanced into leadership roles with Starwood and Marriott, including General Manager and Director of Sales & Marketing. Throughout his career, Fred has successfully led pre-openings, developed high-performing teams, and implemented service-driven initiatives that enhance both guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
At Sheraton San Gabriel, Fred played a pivotal role in achieving prestigious accolades, including Marriott Opening Hotel of the Year and North America Sheraton of the Year. As a certified Sheraton Brand Culture Trainer and Six Sigma Black Belt, he specializes in optimizing processes, improving team collaboration, and fostering strong workplace cultures. His expertise in emotional intelligence training has been instrumental in coaching teams, enhancing leadership development, and creating dynamic, people-focused environments.
With a B.S. in Psychology from CSU Fullerton, Fred combines strategic business acumen with a deep understanding of human behavior, allowing him to drive performance, engagement, and long-term success in the hospitality industry.
Blanca Lopez
Regional Director of Human Capital
Blanca is a seasoned HR professional with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She brings a balanced focus on people and business operations across all HR functions. A USC graduate with a degree in Public Administration, her passion for hospitality began as an intern at Hotel Nikko Beverly Hills. Since then, she has worked with top hotel brands including Omni, Sheraton, and Westin. Her expertise includes employee relations, performance management, training, benefits administration, and collective bargaining agreements.
Blanca is a seasoned HR professional with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She brings a balanced focus on people and business operations across all HR functions. A USC graduate with a degree in Public Administration, her passion for hospitality began as an intern at Hotel Nikko Beverly Hills. Since then, she has worked with top hotel brands including Omni, Sheraton, and Westin. Her expertise includes employee relations, performance management, training, benefits administration, and collective bargaining agreements.
Xintao Ye
Director of Project Development
With a Master’s degree in Architecture from Politecnico di Milano, Italy, and dual Bachelor's degrees in Architecture and Economics from China, Xintao brings over 10 years of experience in architectural and interior design across the United States, Italy, and China. His design work has earned prestigious international awards, including the 23rd UIA Award, UNESCO Award, and AIPH Award.
With a Master’s degree in Architecture from Politecnico di Milano, Italy, and dual Bachelor's degrees in Architecture and Economics from China, Xintao brings over 10 years of experience in architectural and interior design across the United States, Italy, and China. His design work has earned prestigious international awards, including the 23rd UIA Award, UNESCO Award, and AIPH Award.
Carol Liu
Director of Capital Funding
Carol brings deep expertise in finance and capital funding, fortified by strong relationships with leading financial institutions. Her thorough command of financial regulations ensures our hotels are backed by a solid and strategic financial foundation.
Carol brings deep expertise in finance and capital funding, fortified by strong relationships with leading financial institutions. Her thorough command of financial regulations ensures our hotels are backed by a solid and strategic financial foundation.
Rita Xu
Public Relations Specialist
Armed with a degree in Hotel Management, Rita adeptly bridges the connection between our hotels and a network of vendors, service providers, and strategic business affiliates, ensuring seamless collaboration and operational excellence.
Armed with a degree in Hotel Management, Rita adeptly bridges the connection between our hotels and a network of vendors, service providers, and strategic business affiliates, ensuring seamless collaboration and operational excellence.
Dorothy Chao
Revenue Analytic Specialist
Dorothy holds a degree in Hotel Management and a One Yield Certificate, and has been formally recognized by Marriott for her outstanding performance. She consistently ensures that her properties achieve optimal yield, even in highly volatile market conditions.
Dorothy holds a degree in Hotel Management and a One Yield Certificate, and has been formally recognized by Marriott for her outstanding performance. She consistently ensures that her properties achieve optimal yield, even in highly volatile market conditions.
Flora Wu
Cost Control Specialist
With a master's degree in business management, Flora is dedicated to optimizing hotel operations for maximum efficiency and productivity.
With a master's degree in business management, Flora is dedicated to optimizing hotel operations for maximum efficiency and productivity.
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