Who We Are

Our Philosophy

We are inspired professionals that believe profitability is the result of deep passion, a positive culture, and effective storytelling.

Passion
When we invest in something, we don’t just put skin in the game. We put body, mind, heart, soul, and every visceral emotion on the human spectrum. Because hospitality is more than thread count and water pressure. It isn’t just skin deep. Hospitality is something you feel deep beneath the surface.
Culture
Our culture is the core of our brand. It is a balance of what inspires us, how we do our work, and how we ensure our achievements are greater than any one of us. We speak to and treat our team members like family by embracing uniqueness, encouraging creativity, and empowering them to meet their professional potential.
Storytelling
Stories are the vehicles that get us from one location in life to the next. Over the years, we’ve sought out opportunities that challenge us to not just develop better stories but to tell them more effectively. Stories that spark joy, provoke thought, inspire adventure, instill peace, but above all build trust. Trust builds when stories are honestly told and accurately heard. We want to hear your story. And then we want to help you tell it.

Passion
When we invest in something, we don’t just put skin in the game. We put body, mind, heart, soul, and every visceral emotion on the human spectrum. Because hospitality is more than thread count and water pressure. It isn’t just skin deep. Hospitality is something you feel deep beneath the surface.
Culture
Our culture is the core of our brand. It is a balance of what inspires us, how we do our work, and how we ensure our achievements are greater than any one of us. We speak to and treat our team members like family by embracing uniqueness, encouraging creativity, and empowering them to meet their professional potential.
Storytelling
Stories are the vehicles that get us from one location in life to the next. Over the years, we’ve sought out opportunities that challenge us to not just develop better stories but to tell them more effectively. Stories that spark joy, provoke thought, inspire adventure, instill peace, but above all build trust. Trust builds when stories are honestly told and accurately heard. We want to hear your story. And then we want to help you tell it.

Flapper dressed bartender passes over tall cocktail

“We want every guest’s experience to be so remarkable they pause and say, ‘This place is different.’”

Jon Weitz, Founder & President

Our Team

Our strength lies in the vision of our leadership, the diverse experiences of our team, and our history of sustained financial growth.

Leadership

smiling man in suit leaning against a chair

Jon Weitz

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
Jon Weitz and his wife Lisa started Avocet in 2006 with a vision to create a hospitality company that was dedicated to providing unique guest experiences.

Wesley Bloomfield Sang

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Wesley joined Avocet Hospitality in 2015 as Director of Marketing, and in 2019 she transitioned into a role to help further grow the Avocet portfolio.

Pietro Giardini

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
Pietro has spent his entire life in the hospitality industry, his family has a hotel where he began washing dishes at the age of 10.

Valerie Ross

VICE PRESIDENT OF REVENUE
Valerie has a background in hospitality management and comes to AH with 11 years of revenue management experience.

man sitting in an armchair with a painting behind him

Adam Donevant

VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
Adam is a CPA from Myrtle Beach, SC. He moved to Charleston in September 2013 to make a shift from public accounting to the hospitality industry.

smiling woman standing with arms crossed

Amber Hultgren Topping

VICE PRESIDENT OF PEOPLE & CULTURE
With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Amber Hultgren joined Avocet in 2019 after a previous role with Belmond.

Tarleton McManus

VICE PRESIDENT OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Tarleton joined Avocet in 2018 with over 20+ years of experience in hospitality operations. With stops at Tides and Vendue, he now oversees asset management for the portfolio.

Team

Caitlin Adkins

CORPORATE SALES & REVENUE MANAGER
Caitlin Adkins joined Avocet Hospitality in 2015, as a Sales Manager for Tides Folly Beach.

smiling woman sitting in a high-backed chair

Dixie Hemingway

ART DIRECTOR
Dixie joined Avocet Hospitality with a variety of design experiences ranging from hospitality to political campaigns.

Anna Burgess

RECRUITMENT & RETENTION MANAGER
Anna Burgess joined Avocet Hospitality as a Human Resources Administrative Assistant in 2019. She was born and raised in Charleston.

Leah Burns

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
Leah joined Avocet Hospitality in 2007 where she is now part of the people & culture team.

smiling woman standing and resting her hand on the back of a chair

Pam Sousa

PAYROLL MANAGER
Pam joined Avocet Hospitality as Payroll Manager in September 2019.

Ashley Arnoldy

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER
Ashley joined Avocet Hospitality in 2022 as a Digital Marketing Manager. She previously held roles in digital marketing and social media strategy for the entertainment and F&B industry.

Anne Effenberger

STAFF ACCOUNTANT
Anne joined Avocet Hospitality in 2022 as a Staff Accountant. She previously held roles in accounting in the homebuilding and marina industries along with retail management operations.

Stephanie Meliti

RESERVATIONS MANAGER
Stephanie began her career with Avocet in 2021 as a Reservations Agent and has swiftly ascended through the ranks to her current role.

Kristina Shealey

STAFF ACCOUNTANT
Kristina has been a versatile member of Avocet since 2013, evolving from a real estate assistant to a valued member of the accounting team, and even contributing to the People & Culture team along the way.

Chris Baggett

CORPORATE OPERATIONS MANAGER
With over 25 years in the hospitality industry and a passion for food & beverage operations, Chris joined Avocet in 2024.

Our History

Founded in 2006, Avocet continues to evolve and grow.

2006

2008

2009

2012

2013

2014

2016

2017

The Vendue
Travel + Leisure names The Vendue “#1 Hotel in Charleston and #9 Hotel in the United States” in their World’s Best Awards.
Avocet Properties
In order to focus on continued growth of the hotel portfolio, Avocet accepts an offer from Wyndham Vacation Rentals to acquire Avocet Properties – the company’s vacation rental division in Charleston.
The Read House
Avocet commences $28 Million renovation to the Read House in order to restore the hotel to its former greatness and reposition the hotel as a throwback to the Roaring 20s and The Great Gatsby.