TEMECULA, Calif. – Karl D. Kruger – a seasoned hotel executive with more than 30 years of hospitality industry experience – has been named managing director of South Coast Winery Resort & Spa and Carter Estate Winery and Resort, two award-winning winery resorts owned and operated by Orange County-based Carter Hospitality Group.
In his new position, he will supervise more than 300 employees and oversee day-to-day operations for both properties, as well as direct all sales and catering activities.
“We are thrilled to have Karl join our team,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality. “He is the consummate hospitality industry professional and understands all aspects of the industry, from sales and marketing to finance and budgeting. His talents and vision, as well as his strong relationships and industry connections, will be key as we work to raise the national profile of our two beautiful Temecula resorts.”
A longtime hotel industry executive, Kruger has considerable industry credentials and was most recently general manager of the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, overseeing all operations and completing capital projects for the 550-room property. Prior to that, he was general manager of the Fairmont Newport Beach where he was focused on the repositioning and marketing of this high profile corporate and group hotel.
He served as vice president/managing director for Noble House Hotels & Resorts for eight years, overseeing the repositioning of the 406-room Riviera Palm Springs following a $72 million renovation. And for more than 20 years, he was with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, working as a general manager for a diverse range of convention, luxury and corporate destinations nationwide. He has expertise in the cruise industry and was senior vice president of Seattle-based Cruise West.
Active in numerous professional and civic organizations, including Les Amis d'Escoffier Society of Southern California and desert coastal area board of American Cancer Society, he was recently appointed to the board of directors of Visit Temecula Valley.
Kruger holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management from Michigan State University as well as a Master of Business Administration from Rockhurst University, Kansas City.
