Rancho Valenica Resort & Spa recently welcomed three new hires to its executive sales and marketing team. David Shipman took over the role of general manager; Mark Phillips joined the team as director of leisure sales, while Alan Palmer is serving as director of group sales.
Shipman comes to the position with more than 25 years of luxury hotel experience, including management positions at the Auberge Du Soleil in Rutherford, CA and the Ritz-Carlton in Aspen, CO. His new responsibilities will include overseeing the day-to-day management of the resort’s operations team and upholding the highest level of guest-services at the resort.
“David’s vast experience with a collection of likeminded luxury properties, in addition to his keen understanding of the Rancho Valencia guest, are beneficial attributes to maintaining the high level of excellence that has been set as our standard,” says Jeff Jacobs, owner of Rancho Valencia.
Phillips will oversee the coordination, sale and execution of special events and programs at Rancho Valencia, which include yoga, tennis and cycling. Phillips has more than two decades of luxury golf and marketing experience, and over his career has led sales teams, managed day-to-day operations, and implemented successful international wholesale programs at various properties.
Palmer is now responsible for directing the overall sales efforts for revenue producing outlets and business segments at the resort, as well as directly overseeing the group sales and catering departments. Prior to joining the Ranchero Valencia team, Palmer held a variety of positions including Director of Sales for The Peaks Resort and Spa in Telluride, CO; the Regional Director of Sales for the Grand Heritage Hotel Group; and the Senior International Sales and Marketing Manager at Vail Resorts Management Company.
