Leadership

With a team of dedicated industry-leading hospitality professionals, we are creating a culture-led organization from the ground up.

Casey Lavin

President

Born in Boston and raised in Virginia, Casey Lavin is the sixth of eight children. His firsthand experience of the uplifting, healing energy of gathering around the family dinner table each night revealed the greater role hospitality can play in making the world a better place — and inspired a career dedicated to it.

An accomplished leader in luxury hospitality, Lavin has a record of achievement in driving world-class operations in highly competitive markets. Most recently, he led the successful repositioning of Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina. In an array of roles at iconic properties including The Sea Island Company, The Woodlands, The Greenbrier Resort, and The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, Lavin led operations and teams that achieved multiple Forbes Five-Star designations, won accolades, dramatically increased revenue, and developed strategies, concepts, and events that transformed properties into renowned, legendary destinations. As President of BHC, Lavin sets the vision, balances business growth and flow through, assembles and nurtures award-winning teams, identifies new development opportunities, and ensures guest, employee, and community loyalty.

He has served as a board member and officer for an array of organizations, including Forbes Travel Guide Executive Advisory Board, Hilton Head/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Glynn County Airport Commission, Golden Isles Conventions & Visitors Bureau, Coastal Georgia Historical Society, Explore Charleston, and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. He is also a member of the Southern Innkeepers Association and the Young Presidents Organization. Through his church community, he supports people experiencing homelessness. A devoted husband to Monica and father to Julia, Lavin is a voracious reader, music fan, piano player, and private pilot.

Hospitality is… “a powerful healing antidote to a busy and sometimes divisive world that craves meaningful connection.”

Casey Lavin

President
Courtney Capata

Vice President, Communications

Courtney Capata is a native Charlestonian, born into a family of entrepreneurs who instilled in her a strong work ethic at an early age. Her first trip abroad transformed her both personally and professionally, giving her a deeper appreciation for different cultures, experiences, and perspectives, and inspiring her to share those experiences with others. A College of Charleston alum, she spent 15 years in New York City honing her craft in hospitality and travel PR before returning to the Holy City.

Capata’s career includes 10+ years at MMGY NJF in numerous roles, most notably as Vice President, where she led campaigns for iconic brands including Sea Island, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, and Waldorf Astoria. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she founded her own successful PR firm, to play a critical role in the recovery of the travel and hospitality industries she loves. She has continually distinguished herself as a sought-after communications expert, working with some of the world’s top travel and luxury lifestyle brands, including Veuve Clicquot, Kimpton Hotels, Visit Savannah and Travel Texas.

As Vice President of Communications for BHC, Capata is responsible for developing the strategic vision for the company as well as overseeing all communications activities including creative storytelling and programming, brand messaging, public relations, community partnerships and reputation management. An active Child Life volunteer at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, Capata also supports Charleston’s thriving arts scene as a Board member of The Gibbes Museum’s Society 1858.

Hospitality is… “welcoming others with open arms and creating memorable, enriching experiences they will remember long after they leave.”

Courtney Capata

Vice President, Communications
Lukus Grace

Managing Director, The Cooper

Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Lukus Grace realized at a young age that human connection is the most important aspect of life. He spent his formative years working in independently owned food and beverage establishments, which is where he first fell in love with connecting with guests and his colleagues. He later transitioned into hotels, affording him the opportunity to travel across the globe and develop a deeper understanding of the hospitality industry. With a career now spanning more than 15 years, Grace’s passion is providing guests with one-of-a-kind experiences that exceed expectations.

Grace’s resume includes executive roles at Capella Hotels and Resorts in both Singapore and Washington, DC, The St. Regis in Atlanta, and Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. During his tenure at Hotel Bel-Air, Grace oversaw a staff of 325 while also curating all luxury guest experiences. Under his leadership, the hotel was recognized as the No. 1 hotel in the city by U.S. News & World Report, received a AAA Five Diamond rating, and maintained its Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award.

Most recently, Grace served as General Manager of Thompson Buckhead, one of the premier luxury hotels in Atlanta owned by Hyatt. In this role, he managed all aspects of the hotel’s grand opening and daily operations, ensuring the brand’s debut in the market was a success. He also conceptualized and launched Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s first ever Private Membership Club at Thompson Buckhead, which now has hundreds of members and generates millions in additional revenue for the property.

Grace received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and specialization in International Business from Fordham University. He currently resides in Charleston with his wife and two children. In his spare time, Grace enjoys spending time with his family, football, and exploring the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina.

Hospitality is… “making someone feel seen, heard, and cared for.”

Lukus Grace

Managing Director, The Cooper
Alex Gregory

Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Born in Washington D.C. and raised in nearby Fairfax, Virginia, Alex Gregory grew up with a passion for competing, drawing inspiration from his parents and their shared love of sports. When he wasn’t out on the field or on the court, Alex fueled his competitive spirit by leading and coaching others, starting in Little League baseball in his early teens, and became the assistant coach of his college basketball team. This early foundation in competing and coaching informed an unexpected career path, where he found a love of leading and developing others in hospitality sales and marketing.

Prior to joining the BHC team, Alex served as Vice President, Field Sales for Montage International, leading field and global sales for both Montage and Pendry Hotels & Resorts. Previously, Alex led sales and marketing efforts at some of the premier luxury destinations in the country, including Montage Palmetto Bluff, Sea Island, The Homestead, Royal Palms and Wild Dunes.

As Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Alex is responsible for developing and leading BHC’s commercial strategy, including team leadership, product and service development and brand management.

A resident of the Charleston area for over 25 years, Alex enthusiastically enjoys the Lowcountry lifestyle with his family, golfing, attending live concerts, and occasionally playing guitar.

Hospitality is… “embracing others with genuine care, warmth and understanding.”

Alex Gregory

Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Becky Hubbard

Managing Director, The Charleston Place

Born and raised in rural Seneca Falls, New York, Rebecca “Becky” Hubbard always dreamed of moving to a big city and being a part of the magic that hotels create for guests. By age five, she was regularly setting up a “hotel bar” at home to serve her parents cranberry juice for evening cocktails, complete with elevator music on a small radio. Raised by her teacher mother and doctor father, it was ingrained in her from a young age that hospitality and kindness towards others was the most important element of life.

With a hospitality career now spanning more than 25 years, Hubbard built her foundation from positions at Manhattan East Suite Hotels, Sheraton New York, Sheraton Manhattan, The Essex House, and The Ritz-Carlton. Most recently, Hubbard served as General Manager of Manhattan’s most luxurious hotel, The Lotte New York Palace, where she began as a room attendant. During her tenure as GM, Hubbard successfully oversaw a $140-million renovation, an ownership transition, and thoughtfully led a team of 800 employees. The property earned a coveted Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award in 2022 under her leadership.

Hubbard’s dedication to the hospitality industry does not end with her extensive resume. She served on the Executive Board of Directors for the Hotel Association of New York City and NYC & Company’s Recovery Coalition, formed to support city and state recovery planning for hospitality and tourism in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hubbard received a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from SUNY Plattsburgh in Plattsburgh, New York. She currently resides in Charleston with her husband and two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family and exploring museums, restaurants, and other cultural offerings in Charleston.

Hospitality is… “creating a deeper sense of connection with guests to make them feel good.”

Becky Hubbard

Managing Director, The Charleston Place
Jungsoo Kim

Design Principal

Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Jungsoo Kim moved to Chicago, her second home, in 2001. Raised by an architect Dad and fine artist Mom, Kim spent her childhood making art. That early passion inspired a degree in Architectural Engineering, a Master’s in Interior Architecture, and a career devoted to creating connections between people and place.

An experienced design leader in luxury hospitality, high-end residential, corporate commercial, and mixed-use properties, Kim’s projects span both US and international markets. She served as a Senior Interior Architect at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP where she led interior design development for an array of national and international projects. Prior to joining the BHC team, she spent 10 years in Design Director and Principal roles at Pierre-Yves Rochon, Chicago, where she infused French design in many of her projects through collaboration with a Paris-based team. Her multicultural exposure allowed her to deliver world-class concepts and designs for luxury projects including the Waldorf Astoria, New York and Doha, Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, The Plaza Hotel, and The Charleston Place.

As Design Principal at BHC, Kim leads the concept design, development, and design teams for the company’s growing portfolio of properties, including the $150 million renovation of The Charleston Place.

A dedicated wife and mother to her son and daughter, Kim spends her downtime playing tennis with her kids, watching K-dramas with her daughter, and supporting her community through Grace Church and Compassion International.

Hospitality is… “creating a deeper sense of connection with guests to make them feel good.”

Jungsoo Kim

Design Principal
Joe Kropiewnicki

Vice President, Asset Management

As a kid born and raised in Pennsylvania, Joe Kropiewnicki took many road trips to Disney World with his family. Those trips instilled in him a fascination for the storytelling built into the park experience and created a lifetime of wonderful memories. A lifelong sports fan, he’s always been most interested in the players’ stats, a likely spark for his passion for and skills in finance and accounting.

A BA in Business Administration and Finance and a Master’s in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management launched Kropiewnicki into his hospitality career with positions in finance and accounting at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. Building upon a lifetime of family memories and early inspiration, he spent 15 years with the Walt Disney Company in Financial Management and Analyst roles. Prior to joining the BHC team, Kropiewnicki served as Director of Asset Management for Palmetto Bluff, a 20,000-acre, luxury, master-planned community in Bluffton, South Carolina. There, he oversaw land development, asset management, and third-party operations.

As Vice President of Asset Management at BHC, Kropiewnicki drives value through a group of asset properties through collaboration with financial and operating partners to maximize their potential in revenue, net operating income, employee engagement, guest satisfaction, capital investment and value preservation. A devoted husband and father to three incredible children and a golden retriever, Kropiewnicki loves time outside, playing golf, and spending time with his family and friends.

Hospitality is… “taking someone away from the everyday and allowing them to escape among friends and family in an environment where they feel completely welcome.”

Joe Kropiewnicki

Vice President, Asset Management
Mary Shields

Chief Financial Officer

Born in Maryland to a military family, Mary Shields spent her childhood relocating every few years. From California to Germany to the East Coast, she realized from an early age that the most formative part of life was learning to be adaptive, embrace change and new cultures, and to be curious and resilient.

Mary earned two undergraduate degrees from the College of Charleston, in Accounting and Political Science, as well as a graduate degree from Mercy College of Ohio in Health Administration. Prior to joining the BHC team, she spent six years with Bon Secours Mercy Health as Senior Manager for the Joint Venture Internal Audit. In this role, Mary led the Internal Audit Service for a regional healthcare system comprised of four hospitals and 5,900 employees. She joined Beemok Capital in 2022 as Controller, supporting financial operations for the sports, philanthropy, hospitality and entertainment divisions of the company. Now in her role as CFO for BHC, Mary oversees the financial activities and overall health of the organization.

Mary has found many surprising parallels between healthcare and hospitality. “When I first transitioned to CFO at BHC, a colleague at The Charleston Place shared the following quote with me: ‘Hotels are the hospitals we check into to take care of our well-being during the flood times of life, and hospitals are the hotels we check into to bring us healing during the hard times in life.’ Both industries are focused on how to care for others, and it stuck with me.”

Mary lives in Charleston with her two sons and their beloved miniature schnauzer. In her spare time, Mary enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with her family, and being outside. From biking and running to water sports, she loves all the outdoor recreational activities that Charleston has to offer. She’s also an active member of the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Ethics Committee.

Hospitality is… “embracing someone’s presence and ensuring they feel seen and heard.”

Mary Shields

Chief Financial Officer