Head Influencers

Results Don't Happen By Coincidence

You create them through the efforts of finding great people who are committed to working together as one.

Brian Sparacino

President & CEO

The Coach

Brian Sparacino

President & CEO

The Coach

Founder and former Managing Director of INTRIGUE by Interstate Hotels & Resorts. Past experience also includes senior leadership positions overseeing Blackstone owned portfolios with annual revenues in excess of $1B per year. Most of which were in gateway markets & consisted of extremely diverse asset classes - hotels, resorts, golf courses, and marinas.

Outside of keeping a very fast pace in his work life, Brian’s passions is coaching youth sports for his kids’ teams. He believes teaching teamwork in a competitive environment is a key ingredient with developing a successful workgroup that carries forward for many years to come.

Gary J. Thomas

Chief Operating Officer

Gary J. Thomas

Chief Operating Officer

Thomas brings decades of leadership experience across premier lifestyle and luxury brands. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President at Aimbridge Hospitality, where he oversaw the Evolution vertical, a diverse portfolio of lifestyle/luxury properties across the U.S. and Canada. Thomas previously oversaw and led operations for Makeready Hotels. Earlier in his career, Thomas held senior leadership roles with Ian Schrager and Morgans Hotel Group, served as Area General Manager for SBE Hotels, and played key roles in the rebranding of The Redbury New York and the pre-opening of SLS Park Avenue. His experience also includes serving as General Manager of SLS Beverly Hills and opening Managing Director of The LINE Los Angeles.

Donna Hassett

Head of Finance

The Auditor

Donna Hassett

Head of Finance

The Auditor

Donna comes to Rebel with over 25 years of financial leadership experience and her comprehensive knowledge spans all major brands and multiple soft-branded properties across all asset classes. After starting her career in the New York metro area rising to Area Director of Finance with Starwood Hotels, she most recently spent 9 years as Vice President of Hotel Finance for Interstate and Aimbridge overseeing a portfolio of 70+ full and limited-service properties across the US. Donna enjoys exercising, relaxing on the beach, visiting wineries and craft breweries, and spending time with her family.

Craig Franco

Head of Commercial Strategy

The Algorithm

Craig Franco

Head of Commercial Strategy

The Algorithm

Former top-line & revenue distribution divisional leader for Evolution Hospitality and a founding member of INTRIGUE by Interstate Hotels and Resorts. Past experience also includes senior leadership oversight of Warwick International Hotels and Amsterdam Hospitality. Expertise in independent hotels along with every major brand - Marriott, Hilton, IHG and Hyatt.

His passion is family, New York City's sports teams and CrossFit. Whenever he is not logged in or spending time with the kids, you may be able to catch Craig in a warehouse somewhere across the city.

Craig received a Bachelor of Arts in business management from Farmingdale State College.

Tanya Sims

VP OF OPERATIONS

Tanya Sims

VP OF OPERATIONS

Brings more than 25 years of hospitality leadership experience. Prior to Rebel, Sims served as Vice President of Operations at Aimbridge Hospitality for five years and previously held the same role at Interstate Hotels & Resorts, where she supported portfolio operations through the integration of Rim Hospitality’s management contracts.

Mark Ranieri

The Fixer

Mark Ranieri

The Fixer

Lifestyle hotelier expert with extraordinary managerial skills for developing teams and creating unique guest experiences. With over 20 years of hospitality experience, Mark spent the majority of his personal and professional life in New York City. As a former Vice President of Operations for Meyer Jabara Hotels and a Regional General Manager for Remington, he has vast knowledge in both independent and all the major brands.

His passions are family, surfing the shores of Long Island beaches, and casual Sunday afternoon drives on his Harley-Davidson.

Kelly Makino

Head of Human Resources

Kelly Makino

Head of Human Resources

An experienced people and culture leader, Makino brings a strong background in talent strategy, organizational development, and employee engagement within the hospitality sector. Previously serving in senior HR leadership roles, including Vice President of People & Culture at The Wurzak Hotel Group, she is known for aligning people initiatives with business performance and building high-performing teams. In her new role, Makino will lead Rebel’s human resources function, supporting the company’s continued growth and commitment to people-first leadership.

Patrick Horstmann

Director of Luxury & Lifestyle

Patrick Horstmann

Director of Luxury & Lifestyle

A quality-driven hotel executive with more than 20 years of experience in luxury and lifestyle hospitality, Horstmann has held senior leadership roles with iconic brands including Denihan Hospitality Group, Gansevoort Hotel Group, and Morgans Hotel Group’s Shore Club Miami Beach. Known for his strategic, hands-on leadership style, Horstmann has consistently driven revenue growth, cost control, and productivity while elevating guest experiences across complex, multi-property portfolios. Over the course of his career, Horstmann has successfully launched eight hotel properties and led three major renovations with rebranding, demonstrating deep expertise in operational execution, performance improvement, and brand positioning. In his new role, he will oversee Rebel’s higher-end managed hotels, bringing strong business acumen, collaborative leadership, and a relentless focus on quality to advance the company’s luxury and lifestyle platform.

Jacob Wigdor

Head of Acquisitions & Development

Jacob Wigdor

Head of Acquisitions & Development

Jacob Wigdor began his hospitality career at the Dorchester Hotel in London, where he developed a deep appreciation for exceptional service and operational excellence. Over the years, he has gained diverse experience across various hotel operations roles, refining his expertise.

Jacob holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, specializing in real estate.

Alexis Hanak

The Analyzer

Alexis Hanak

The Analyzer

With a solid foundation in hotel operations, Alexis brings a unique perspective to her role as a revenue manager. Her tenure as a Brand Operations Analyst has seen her driving data-driven solutions and optimizing operational strategies, contributing significantly to the success of the Graduate Hotels brand. Alexis's dynamic approach, coupled with her expertise in both operations and revenue management, positions her as a valuable asset in the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry.

Crystal Calandro

The DEAL CLOSER

Crystal Calandro

The DEAL CLOSER

Crystal is the newest force in our Rebel crew, leading sales and marketing for our NYC hotels. With a powerhouse background, Crystal most recently served as Regional Director of Sales and Marketing where she spearheaded strategies across 30+ hotels in multiple markets. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts from LIU on Long Island, she brings sharp industry expertise and an unstoppable drive to help us crush our NYC goals.

Raluca Avacaritei

The Operator

Raluca Avacaritei

The Operator

Close to 20 years of NYC operational experience in union hotels across the city. Of which, 13 years were spent in operations within branded and independent lifestyle hotels, such as Row (1332 keys), Manhattan Times Square (700 keys) and The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection (725 keys).

Raluca was born in Romania with a natural curiosity for languages, and the innate ability to learn 5. Since she loves meeting new people, knowing so many languages in New York City made it very easy to make new friends. Prior to moving to the Big Apple, she became inspired by the art of hospitality during her college days in Messina, Italy. Outside of work, her true passion is family and spending as much time as possible enjoying Caribbean getaways.