Sales Team
Florida Meeting Space
The TradeWinds Island Resorts sales team is one of the most experienced in Southeast Florida. They’ll be happy to help you with virtually every aspect of your event, making it an experience that will stay with your guests long after they return home. Use our RFP and one of our team members will contact you quickly to help you begin selecting the perfect venue, planning the ideal menu, organizing unforgettable group activities and all other important details. You can learn more about our sales managers below. If you’ve already spoken to someone about your event, feel free to contact them directly using the e-mail and phone numbers listed with their profile.
Terry Popelka, Vice President of Sales
Terry Popelka leads the overall group sales and conference services and catering programs. Before joining TradeWinds Island Resorts in November 2009, Terry was with the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort as the Director of Northeast Sales for just short of nine years. Terry received numerous awards during his career with Starwood and in 2008 was named Starwood sales person of the year for all of North America. A veteran of the hospitality industry, Terry started his career in hospitality sales with TradeWinds back in 1995.
727.363.2245, tpopelka@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Mike Wagner, Director of Group Sales, Northeast
Mike Wagner is responsible for day-to-day operations of group sales. Mike moved to Colorado in 1993, where he owned and operated a bed and breakfast in a historic mining town. This began his love for the hospitality industry. Mike has served on several Chamber of Commerce Boards, and was chairman of the Town Promotion Commission where his bed and breakfast was located. Mike has been with the TradeWinds since 1999 working in the Midwest territory, and was named Sales Manager of the Year in 2007.
727.363.2242, mwagner@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
George Bentley, CMP, Director of Catering/Convention Services
George Bentley leads our catering and convention services teams at both of our resorts. Before returning to TradeWinds Island Resorts in February 2011, George was Director of Catering/Convention Services at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL for (2) years, Director of Event Management at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St, Petersburg for (3) years and most recently served as Director of Food & Beverage for the Clearwater Beach Hilton for (3) years. George held the same position with TradeWinds from 1994-2000 and we are pleased to have him back on the team.
727.363.2331, gbentley@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Karleen Johnson, CMP, National Sales Manager, Midwest
Karleen Johnson joined the TradeWinds Island Resorts in June of 2000 and is now the National Sales Manager for the Midwest territory. Prior to her promotion in January of 2008, Karleen held previous positions at TradeWinds as catering sales manager and convention service manager. She earned a BS in Hospitality Management from the University of Florida. Karleen was named TradeWinds’ Catering & Convention Service Manager of the Year in 2005 and obtained her CMP Certification in 2006.
727.363.2380, kjohnson@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Kim Collins, National Sales Manager, FL Corporate
Kim Collins joined TradeWinds Island Resorts in May 2011 as the National Sales Manager for the Florida Corporate market. Originally from Tennessee, Kim's career started in Minor League Baseball, where she spent several seasons as the Director of Sales & Marketing before crossing over to hospitality. Kim has served as the Area Director of Sales for select service Marriott and Hilton properties before making her move to the coast. Although fairly new to Florida, Kim was voted as "Tampa Bay's Rising Star" in 2010. Kim is very excited to bring her Tennessee charm and creativity to TradeWinds. Go Rays!
727.363.2238, kcollins@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Rachel A. Tyndale, National Sales Manager, West Coast
Rachel A. Tyndale came to us from New Orleans, LA., where she was previously the Director of Sales & Marketing for a historic Boutique Hotel. Rachel has also held positions for Starwood as a Senior Sales Manager and Marriott. Rachel relocated to St. Petersburg, FL. to join the talented team at the TradeWinds Island Resorts as their West Coast National Sales Manager. Rachel has been presented with many awards such as Manager of the Quarter, and Pyramid Hotels STARZ Award (Exceeding Sales Goals). Rachel takes pride in delivering exceptional service to all of her clients and exudes a true hospitable persona. Rachel is pleased to be a member of the TradeWinds Island Resorts team and she is a fantastic addition to the excellent service that TradeWinds offers their guests.
727.363.2272, rtyndale@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Karen Casabura, National Sales Manager, Southeast
Karen Casabura joined the TradeWinds Resorts Sales team in 2011 as a National Sales Manager for the Southeast Territory. Originally from London, England, Karen moved to St. Pete Beach to experience the Florida lifestyle 16 years ago and has never left. She has previously held sales positions for Hilton and Marriott brands and is very excited to bring her talents, experience and accent to the TradeWinds.
727.367.6477, kcasabura@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Marie Jones, Senior Sales Manager, FL Associations
Marie Jones joined TradeWinds Island Resorts in 2007 as Senior Sales Manager and specializes in working with Florida-based associations and non-profit groups. Marie began her career in the hospitality industry planning tournaments and social events at private clubs. After a stint creating and managing meetings and events for a wide range of clients at Universal Studios-Hollywood, Marie relocated to Florida and found her dream job at TradeWinds. Marie is part of TradeWinds Green Team, is a member of both Florida and Tallahassee Society of Association Executives and is active in the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International.
727.363.2256, mjones@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Kimberly Ross, Sales Manager, Specialty Groups and Canada
Kimberly Ross is the Specialty Markets Manager for TradeWinds Island Resorts. Her territory is worldwide and her fascinating market includes bus tours, reunions, religious, sports and dance groups, along with other unique clubs sporting names like the Parrot Heads and The Hemingway Group. Kimberly joined TradeWinds Island Resorts part-time in the banquet department in August 1996. She made the complete crossover to the hotel industry full-time in 2001, transferring to TradeWinds Reservations where she excelled as top senior booking agent. Her background as a travel planner herself for corporate, leisure and group travel is an asset to those desiring a fun and enjoyable gathering.
727.363.2234, kross@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Ralph Alderman, Jr., Sales Manager, Small Meetings, DC and Sports
Ralph Alderman, Jr., began creating an environment for successful corporate and association meetings and victorious sport teams in Winston-Salem, NC in 1995. Ralph has envied Tradewinds Island Beach Resorts sales, marketing and award winning services for over a decade. In June 2011, he joined the best hospitality team in the southeast. He is responsible for our clients in the Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. A Certified Hospitality Sales Professional, Ralph is passionate about his follow through on what he has promised.
727.363.2231, ralderman@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Debra Davies, Preferred Partners Manager
Debra Davies facilitates partnerships between TradeWinds Island Resorts and corporate America, connecting businesses with TradeWinds’ Preferred Partners VIP Hospitality and Employee Discount programs. She also manages the charitable donation initiatives for TradeWinds, funneling hundreds of vacation certificates to local non-profits to raise funds for their organizations. Debra is the go-to-girl for all things green, actively participating in the TradeWinds Green Team, as well as many local environmental organizations including St. Petersburg Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Tampa Bay Watch and Pinellas County Native Plant Society.
727.363.2263, ddavies@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Sherry Schiefer, Site/FAM Coordinator
Sherry came to TradeWinds in March of 2010 from Michigan. She worked at Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Michigan in the Front Desk Department. Sherry began with TradeWinds as a Leisure Reservationist and quickly advanced to the Corporate Sales Department as an Administrative Assistant. Sherry was very excited to take on the Site/FAM Coordinator position when it opened in July 2011. She works diligently with the TradeWinds team to plan various aspects of all Sites and FAMS.
727.363.2230, sschiefer@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Katie Murray, Small Meetings Manager
Katie originally joined the TradeWinds team in January 2010 as an Activities Intern before accepting a full time position as Catering Sales Manager a few months later. In December 2011, she was promoted to Small Meetings Manager for TradeWinds Islands Resorts. Katie graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelors degree in Tourism Management and Event Planning.
727.363.2236, kmurray@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Renee Prine, Wedding Sales Manager
As Wedding Sales Manager, Renee Prine exhibits an uncommon level of personal concern, attention to detail and an aura of calm to make sure her brides have their perfect day. She joined the TradeWinds Island Resorts team in December of 2000 as a leisure reservations agent, then transferred into the sales department. She has been the Catering Wedding Sales Manager since 2005.
727.363.2309, rprine@twresort.com, 800.345.6461
Karen Lumpkin, Tour and Travel Sales Manager
Karen Lumpkin was born and raised in Indiana, where she operated a small catering company with her mother for many years. After working in the local court system in numerous positions, Karen decided to move to the Florida Keys where she spent four years. Karen then migrated to beautiful St. Pete Beach as the Department Coordinator in Tour and Travel for TradeWinds. Karen Lumpkin was promoted to Tour and Travel Sales Manager in early 2009.
727.363.2241, klumpkin@twresort.com, 800.345.6461