Mike Freed is co-founder and managing partner of Passport Resorts LLC. Mike had the vision to create Post Ranch Inn and was primarily responsible for overseeing it from the entitlement process through construction and hotel opening in 1992. Mike managed the acquisition and renovation of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort and the Lodge at Skylonda (both former Passport Resorts’ projects). He was also the initial lead in Passport Resorts’ work with its developer partner on the development and initial hotel launch in July 2008 of Cavallo Point – the Lodge at the Golden Gate.

As managing partner of Passport Resorts, Mike oversees marketing for Passport Resorts and operations at Post Ranch Inn and Cavallo Point. He brings a visionary, non-traditional approach to travel marketing, which has helped establish a unique ‘sense of place’ for each property, leading to their worldwide recognition.

Additionally, Mike sits on the Preferred Hotel Advisory Board, is a member of the Virtuoso Sustainability Council, and is a former Commissioner to Visit California and San Francisco Travel. Mike co-chairs the Visit California Luxury Initiative and the Task Force for Sustainable Tourism. He enjoys a close working relationship with environmental groups and various local governmental officials responsible for land-use matters in diverse California locations.

Mike earned his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Santa Barbara.

Peter Heinemann is a co-founder of Passport Resorts and currently serves in an advisory role, consulting in key areas such as hotel operations and finance for the properties managed by Passport Resorts.

Previously, Peter oversaw operations at Cavallo Point Lodge and all financial matters for Passport Resorts’ properties. His responsibilities included investor reporting, oversight of the resorts’ controllers and outside accountants, cash and financial management, arranging project financing, and structuring various business and real estate transactions.

During 2001 to 2009, Peter was primarily responsible for supervising the acquisition, renovation, re-positioning and operation of Hotel Hana-Maui. From 2005 to 2013, he also had the lead role in supervising the acquisition, renovation and operation of The Sea Ranch Lodge and shepherding it through the entitlement process and design of an expansion project.

Peter received his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley.

Stephen Andrews works in concert with hotel marketing, sales, reservations, revenue, media relations, and key executive team members to establish or enhance a dynamic marketing and sales culture within each organization. His core responsibilities include building, managing and motivating hotel marketing and sales teams, strategic identification of market segments and audiences unique to the successful positioning of each hotel, and tactical implementation of media relations, e-marketing, social media, and direct sales for every Passport Resorts’ portfolio property.

A graduate of the California State University at Northridge, Stephen brings more than 25 years of travel and tourism marketing experience to Passport Resorts. He is highly active with Visit California, the State tourism body, as a member of both the International Marketing and Public Relations committees, the latter which he co-chairs. Stephen also produces and hosts a weekly syndicated lifestyle radio program that regularly features properties from the Passport Resorts’ collection.

Michael Higgins is a career hospitality professional and as Vice President for Passport Resorts, he focuses his passion for hospitality on guaranteeing guest satisfaction is exceeded on each visit. As part of the original management team of Post Ranch Inn, Mike is committed to assuring the Passport Resorts culture is instilled in all employees as we share these beautiful resorts with our guests. Positive Stewardship of the properties and their stunning natural settings along with world-class service and amenities are the core values Mike uses to guide his management and service styles.

Mike is a graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute in Philadelphia. With more than 25 years of luxury operations experience in hospitality, his career has spanned internationally – including his own Inn and managing the famed Skywalker Ranch.

Andrew Simer brings more than 30 years of senior financial leadership across hospitality, real estate, and nonprofit sectors to his role as Vice President of Finance at Passport Resorts. In this role, he oversees all financial matters for the company’s hotel portfolio and corporate entities, guiding budgeting, financial reporting, and long-term fiscal health for Passport’s unique collection of luxury, environmentally-responsible properties.

Andrew began his career at Ernst & Young, before transitioning after several years into the Hospitality industry, holding senior finance roles at iconic properties including The Boulders Resort and Club (in Arizona), Carmel Valley Ranch, the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, and the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego.  Like properties in Passport Resorts’ purview, Andrew considers each opportunity he’s had in Hospitality nothing short of “luck” and “good fortune.”

Through his 35+ year career, Andrew’s scope evolved beyond traditional finance to include real estate development, operations, and strategic planning for complex resort environments and private communities in Arizona and Southern and Central California.

Before joining Passport Resorts, Andrew served as Chief Financial & Operations Officer at the largest affordable housing development and property management company in California’s Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. There, he oversaw finance, administration, human resources, housing operations, and asset management, navigating complex funding structures to create and expand access to much-needed affordable housing.

Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, Andrew was raised in Arizona after early grade school, and he holds his Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, School of Accountancy, with an emphasis on Finance and Taxation. He now lives on California’s Central Coast, where he enjoys the natural beauty and vibrant communities that align with Passport’s mission and values.

Jeff Rubenstein is the Director of Marketing for Passport Resorts LLC. Jeff is responsible for the development and deployment of marketing programs that are designed to successfully drive revenue and build brand awareness for the current portfolio of hotels including Cavallo Point Lodge and the renowned Post Ranch Inn. These programs include brand development, email and digital marketing campaigns, website development, social media, public relations and more.

Prior to Passport Resorts, Jeff was with Larkspur Hotels & Restaurants, where he built the marketing department from the ground up, driving marketing initiatives for each of its 23 hotels. Having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, Jeff brings over 22 years of successful hospitality experience to Passport Resorts.

Tony Dawson is a seasoned hospitality and development professional, bringing over 40 years of luxury experience to Passport Resorts. Most recently, Tony has been the Managing Partner for Carefree Hospitality, a multi-property management company. Tony also served as CEO of The Santa Lucia Preserve, a master-planned community in Carmel, California. His diverse background includes on-property experience as the General Manager of the Boulders Resort and Spa in Carefree, Arizona as well as the Vice President and General Manager at Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel, California. Tony was also the Senior VP of Hospitality of the Woodlands Resorts, Hotels, and all the country clubs in The Woodlands Texas, during which time the properties generated approximately $300 million in revenues. Additionally, Tony has held senior positions at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and operated as President for five Jack Tar Village Caribbean Resorts. He held the role of Chief Operating Officer of the Cordillera Group, responsible for five projects in Colorado and Northern California, including the Cordillera community near Vail. While with Passport Resorts, Tony served in an Asset Management role, overseeing The Inn of the Five Graces in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Michael G. Tompkins is a celebrated visionary whose 30-year career is rooted in transformational experiences in the luxury hospitality, wellness, and spa industries. Tompkins is a former partner with Hutchinson Consulting, held CEO positions with Miraval Resorts, Hilton Head Health, and PALM Health, Past Chairman of the International Spa Association (ISPA), and several executive positions with Canyon Ranch Health Resorts. Tompkins was the founder of St.ART St. Louis, a non-profit street art event that received national recognition.

Ken Barasch works closely with our Restaurant Managers and Wine Directors, providing recommendations and access to sources of fine and rare wines, and consulting on pricing strategies, wine list formats, food/wine pairings and staff training. Since before its opening in 2008, Ken helped to create the award winning wine list at Murray Circle, the restaurant at the Cavallo Point Lodge. In addition Ken supervises the Murray Circle wine program, including the purchase of the fine and rare wines. Prior to Ken’s appointment as Consulting Wine Director for Passport Resorts, Ken consulted for Post Ranch Inn on the acquisition of its wine list. A long-time marketing consultant, travel and restaurant radio correspondent and writer, Ken has consulted with dozens of award-wining restaurants over the past 25 years. He received his B.A. and M.B.A. from California State University at Fullerton.