HONOLULU, HI (August 26, 2022) – Highgate, a leading real estate and hospitality management company, announced today that James Karabelas has been appointed as Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Karabelas will lead Highgate’s sales and marketing team across its 10 properties and expanding portfolio in Hawaii. He reports to Kelly Sanders, executive vice president of operations for the Hawaii region.
A seasoned sales and marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience, Karabelas joins Highgate from Aqua-Aston Hospitality, a business division of Marriott Vacations Worldwide where he served as the Vice President of Marketing for seven years, leading the company’s brand marketing, media, digital, ecommerce and marketing technology strategy for more than 30 properties. During his tenure, he oversaw the openings and rebrands of 10 independent and franchise properties managed by Aqua-Aston. Prior, Karabelas led the strategic development and management of e-commerce and digital marketing programs at Castle Hospitality. He also served as a Senior Strategist at Saatchi & Saatchi, a global advertising agency in New York. He currently serves on the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau marketing committee and is on the Board of Directors for Volcano Art Center.
Karabelas holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and Communications from Boston University. He resides in Hawaii with his family.
