Executive Team

The veteran hotelier has been the Managing Director at Montage Laguna Beach from its opening in 2003, and has played an integral role in guiding the team that has helped Montage achieve significant industry and public acclaim.

Driven by a philosophy which mandates excellence, a "good neighbor" policy and great attention to detail, Mr. Bermingham attributes Montage's resounding success to the exceptionally talented, committed and gracious staff. "This commitment is pervasive throughout the company," he says. "Everyone who works here has a shared vision and enthusiasm for their job, which ultimately creates an unparalleled experience for our guests and residents."

Mr. Bermingham began his 25-year hospitality career as a manager trainee at the Clarence Hotel in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland, where he spent many years honing his talents.

Realizing that he was ready to embark on a lifetime career in the hotel industry, he moved to London, England, where he began a career with ITT Sheraton and the Luxury Collection, which spanned ten years. He worked as General Manager of ITT Sheraton's Five Diamond St. Regis in Houston, Texas. During his tenure with ITT Sheraton and the Luxury Collection, Mr. Bermingham accrued many accolades for his accomplishments, including "The Divisional President Award" for outstanding achievement and the "Top Sales Team Award" for the North American division.

In 1998, he joined Mirage Resorts as opening Vice President of Hotel Operations at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi. The following year, he moved his family to Washington, D.C. taking a position as General Manager of the acclaimed Latham Hotel, where he was also responsible for its sister property, the boutique Georgetown Inn. Here Mr. Bermingham earned the MeriStar Hotels & Resorts "General Manager Excellence Award - Best Food and Beverage."

Mr. Bermingham takes an active role in serving the surrounding community where he lives in Orange County, California. A hallmark of his community involvement is "Hearts of Montage," a comprehensive outreach program which supports non-profit programs throughout Orange County. Demonstrating his commitment, Mr. Bermingham has served on numerous Orange County non-profit and hospitality industry boards and committees, among them the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, the Ocean Institute, the Anaheim and Orange County Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Orange County Tourism Council.

Mr. Bermingham is married with two young sons, and enjoys coaching his son's soccer teams.

He played an integral role in opening Montage Laguna Beach in 2003, where he spent six years as Director of Food and Beverage. In that position he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the food and beverage department, including the signature restaurant, Studio; The Loft, an all-day dining restaurant; Mosaic Bar & Grille, a relaxing poolside patio with a cozy outdoor fireplace area; the Lobby Lounge; and banquets and catering. He also contributed to the initial development of the Environmental Impact Committee at Montage Laguna Beach and remains actively involved in implementing sustainable initiatives for the resort.

Prior to joining Montage, Mr. Orlich served as restaurant manager for Mary Elaine's at The Phoenician, in Scottsdale, Arizona and served as the restaurant manager at Tucson's acclaimed Ventana Room at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort.

Mr. Orlich serves on the board of The Crystal Cove Alliance, which is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District, its beach, and marine life in Orange County, California.

He is a graduate of the University of Arizona with degrees in Business Communications and Finance.

Mr. Orlich resides in Ladera Ranch, California with his wife and two children.

Prior to joining Montage six years ago, Mr. Mitchell spent five years as the director of sales at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona. Other previous positions included national sales manager for Pointe Resorts and various operational roles for Hyatt Hotels.

Email: bmitchell@montagehotels.com

Phone: (949) 715-6115

Previously, he served as vice president of sales and marketing for Destination Hotels & Resorts, where he established the Royal Palms in Phoenix, Arizona as a luxury contender in the marketplace and, as well as re-branded and repositioned numerous key assets in the company's portfolio.

Prior to that, he was vice president of sales and marketing/brand manager for The Luxury Collection brand of ITT Sheraton, now Starwood Hotels. He previously opened The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona , and served as the property's director of sales and marketing for 13 years. In the role of director of sales, he also opened the award-winning Boulders resort in Carefree, Arizona.

Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Youngstown State University in Ohio.

Currently Mrs. Raistrick-Tao serves on the Advisory Committee for the Spa and Hospitality Management Program at University California Irvine. This program provides comprehensive training to help prepare individuals for career success.

Prior to Montage, she served as spa director at the Natural Body Day Spa and was health club manager with Corporate Sports Unlimited, both in Atlanta, GA.

A certified Health Fitness Instructor through the American College of Sports Medicine, Mrs. Raistrick-Tao received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology from Ohio University and a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science from Georgia State University.

Ms. Edwards has also acted as lead consultant on organizational development for the Lodge at Cordevalle, Island Outpost, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, Silver Leaf and the Reynold Plantation in Georgia. Her prior experience also includes positions as assistant food and beverage director at The Boulders in Carefree, Ariz. and restaurant manager at the Deer Valley Ski Resort in Deer Valley, Utah.

Ms. Edwards is certified in some of the most famed development training methods, including 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, FOCUS, 4 Roles of Leadership, Myers-Briggs, TIPS, Franklin Covey's Personal Coach theories, etiquette classes and more.

After graduating from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Arts in Parks and Recreation, Ms. Edwards continued her education program at Washington State University studying hotel and restaurant management.

Prior to joining the pre-opening team at Montage in 2002, he started his hotel career with The Sheraton Waikiki as the Human Resources Coordinator. He then worked for The Kahala Mandarin Oriental as a Housekeeping Supervisor. After two years he moved to the Island of Hawaii and worked at The Orchid Mauna Lani - A Starwood Luxury Collection hotel as the Director of Housekeeping and as Six Sigma Green Belt.

Mr. Tao graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in Travel Industry Management. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Prior to joining Montage, Mrs. Lledo worked as Director of Human Resources at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point and the Jonathan Club with oversight of both its Los Angeles and Santa Monica locations. She also worked for the Los Angeles School District in Elementary education teaching the third grade, as well as training teachers in literacy programs. Mrs. Lledo's previous experiences include positions with Ritz-Carlton, Tyson's Corner, and Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel as Concierge, Housekeeping Manager, and Training Manager.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a Psychology minor from James Madison University, and received a Masters Degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development from University of San Francisco.

Mrs. Lledo resides in Lake Forest, California with her husband.

Prior to joining Montage, Mr. Frear served as regional director of sales & marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, overseeing nine resorts in the southwest region, including such properties as The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, the St. Regis in Aspen, Colorado, The Wigwam Resort in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Westin Mission Hills Resort in Rancho Mirage, California. He steadily climbed the ranks having started as a national sales manager at the company's flagship resort, The Phoenician. Mr. Frear was awarded the ITT President's Award in 1997 as director of group sales for The Phoenician. This award is given out annually to top executives for their contributions to both business and the community.

Mr. Frear held the position of national sales manager for The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, California and The Pointe Resorts in Phoenix, Arizona in his early career. Mr. Frear attended Arizona State University in Tempe and has served on several hospitality and tourism boards throughout his career including, the Arizona Chapter of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives Hospitality Committee, Hospitality Committee for the Fiesta Bowl, Scottsdale Visitors Advisory Council, Super Bowl Advisory Committee for the 1996 Super Bowl in Tempe, Arizona, and the City of Phoenix Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board.