About Cuvée

Meet the Team

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Susan A. Farrugia

Managing Director

Susan Farrugia received her BBA in Finance from Eastern Michigan University and graduated magna cum laude. Susan has been the Managing Director for the Cuvée Escapes global portfolio of ultra-luxury homes since December of 2002. Prior to Cuvée Escapes she was the Director in the Office of the President & CEO at Ariba Technologies and also the Director of Business Operations & Controller at Imageware Corp. Susan enjoys traveling throughout Europe & the Caribbean, interior design, and staying active with outdoor activities including running, golf, and biking.

Amber Fossett

Controller

Amber Fossett joined the Cuvée team as Controller in February 2009. Before joining Cuvée, she held the Controller position for Denver-based software company Decisioneering, Inc., recently acquired by Oracle USA, Inc. Amber holds a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of Colorado and passed the CPA exam in May 2006. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Mile High Agility Club of Boulder and actively volunteers for the Retriever Rescue of Colorado. Amber enjoys traveling around the world, outdoor activities, Bronco and CU football games, and competing in AKC agility trials with her two dogs.

Kristen Albers

Staff Accountant

Kristen Albers received her BSBA in Finance along with a Master's in Finance from The University of Denver. After graduating Magna Cum Laude, she worked in Corporate Services at Janus Capital. Kristen directly supports Amber Fossett with all company accounting operations. Kristen enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Alyssa Whitaker

Office Assistant

Alyssa Whitaker graduated in August 2012 with a degree in Business Administration and an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Colorado. While at the University of Colorado she had the role as Secretary for the Business Student Ambassadors Committee both her Junior and Senior year. In Spring 2011, Alyssa interned at the Colorado State Capitol for Joe Miklosi, Representative for District 9. She served the role as his Office Assistant making campaign calls and reaching out to the community. Originally from Southern California, Alyssa enjoys the beach, yoga, hiking, weight lifting, reading, traveling, and enjoying time spent with family.

Laura Cisco Quintana

Director of Marketing

Laura Quintana received her BA in Public Relations and Journalism from the University of Northern Iowa and graduated magna cum laude in 2003. After growing up on a farm in Iowa, she decided to relocate to the city of Denver. She began her career in the sport hospitality industry and was most recently the Director of Marketing and Sales for Green Gables Country Club. In 2006 she received her MS in Marketing and Sport Management from the University of Northern Colorado. She has served on the Special Events Committee for the Ronald McDonald House since 2005 and Co-Chaired the Storybook Ball in 2009. Laura enjoys spending time with her son, Nixon, and staying active by playing volleyball, running, playing golf, and biking.

Kelly Mackay

Marketing Intern

Kelly Mackay is currently finishing her Marketing degree at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. Originally from Iowa, Kelly enjoys being in Denver and hopes to stay upon graduation. During her time at the University of Denver, Kelly studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain and has since received a Minor in Spanish. In addition to academic and sorority responsibilities, she has managed to work a full work week to get herself through school while maintaining a 3.7 GPA. Kelly enjoys spinning, reading, spending time with her twin brother, and learning about wine. She is looking forward to her new role at Cuvée.

Brian Venegas

Sales Executive

Brian Venegas received his BFA from the University of Arizona in 2004 where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Brian, a native of Denver began his career in the world of Technology sales at Oracle managing territories in Montreal and Toronto Canada. He cultivated a love for travel as a student living in Halmstad, Sweden and Angers, France. Brian enjoys spending quality time with his wife and daughter in the Colorado high country where he also enjoys painting and drawing.

Stephanie Willingham

Reservation/Calendar Management

Stephanie Willingham joined Cuvée in November 2006. Prior to coming to Cuvée, Stephanie worked at the Antler's Condominium & Conference Center in Vail for 15 years as a Sales Manager, Director of Sales and Director of Conference Services. Now residing in Denver, Stephanie is an avid lover of dogs, and enjoys ultra running, hiking, biking and reading. Director of Conference Services.

Rita Cuellar

Guest Services Manager Los Cabos & Royal Island

Rita was born and raised in Mexico City. She earned a BA in International Studies at De Paul University, and after completing her undergraduate degree she earned a Masters in Political Science from Loyola University. Rita worked for the Mexico Tourism Board for almost two years and was the Operations Manager for a destination management company for four years managing the Mexico office from Chicago. She provided complete planning and destination management services for Fortune 500 meeting and incentive programs in all of the major destinations in North America, including Mexico, the U.S., and the Caribbean. She enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, watching and playing sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Stacy Anderson

Guest Services Manager - Vail Valley

Stacy Anderson graduated from Texas A&M in May 2001 with a degree in Marketing and moved to the Vail Valley several years ago. In college she was heavily involved with the Texas A&M Waterski team and competed collegiately for four years in Slalom, Trick and Jump. Stacy has been working in the hospitality industry for eight years and finds it extremely rewarding. She loves meeting new people and helping them enjoy the mountains just as much as she does. Prior to joining the Cuvée team she worked at The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch and was on the Food and Beverage Management team. She also worked for an Adventure Company on the Island of Lana'i which is the location of our Hawaii home. Stacy has a passion for life, the mountains, and people.

Mike Yerigan

Owner Services & Guest Manager

Mike Yerigan graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. After traveling extensively throughout the world, he moved to the Vail Valley in 2004 and has been captivated by the opportunity of adventure and supporting luxury travelers as a Vail Valley ambassador. Prior to joining Cuvée Escapes, he worked at the Sonnenalp Resort and the Vail Valley Tourism Bureau.

Emily Jansen

Guest Services Manager

Emily Jansen recently graduated from the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver and holds a BSBA in Hospitality Management with a minor in Art History. Emily studied abroad in London, where she fell in love with the classical art and architecture of the city. Emily enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, her Chihuahua, being active, and believes that life is best served with good food and great wine. When not in the office you will find Emily working on becoming fluent in French and daydreaming about St. Barth, her favorite place in the world.

Cheryl Lucas

Lead Designer

Cheryl Lucas is a graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York City and has been working in the interior design field for over 25 years. She is a professional member of the prestigious American Society of Interior Design, ASID. Cheryl's objective as the Cuvée designer is to create spaces that are appropriate to the location, reflect our vision and are warm, inviting and beautiful. Cheryl joined the team in October 2006. She enjoys travel, reading, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with her family.

John Soderstrom

President of Design and Construction

John Soderstrom started his career in 1993 as a carpenter in high-end finishing and restorations. John has worked as a general contractor/ project manager since 1999, in the process managing the complete construction process of projects ranging from two highly complex, custom residences in Kona, Hawaii to a major historic restoration of a 12,000 square foot private-estate, Italianate Villa in Denver, Colorado--a project which required extensive hands-on, custom cabinetry, as well as a wide range of other restoration skills. Besides being a highly capable construction manager, juggling and managing the trades with efficiency, John brings an innate creativity and honed talent for both design and build to each project. He is ever exploring new and original concepts, materials and products to bring to the table, in an effort to produce superior results. John is also knowledgeable in almost every area of construction, working in many of the disciplines at one time or another, with a very hands-on approach unique in today's construction world.

Mark McDonough

Construction Project Manager

Mark McDonough is a key member of the construction operations team. He received a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Real Estate from Colorado State University in 2005 and later went on to earn his MBA from Regis University in 2010. Mark brings Cuvée a unique background of experience in construction, finance, accounting and management. His experience includes hands on construction experience, construction management on a large range of projects from small remodel to production homebuilding and large scale rehabilitation projects, construction estimating, budget preparation, contract negotiation and much more. Mark is an avid outdoorsman who likes to spend time skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking 14ers and fly fishing.