Team Bios
Aaron Plantè - CEO
Aaron Plantè, owner of Plantès Hotel Renovation [PHR], has spent the last 15 years perfecting the hotel renovation process with companies such as DKN Hotels, Tarsadia, Pacifica Hotel Co., Core Capital and others.
After studying Criminal Justice at Cerritos College, Aaron went on to attend UTEP - University Texas El Paso, switching his major to Kinesiology. However, working as a paint contractor in hotel renovations throughout the early nineties led him to an opportunity to take over as Project Manager of a failing renovation mid-stream, for a Hawthorn Suites Hotel in 1996. The success of that job instantly sparked many key referrals as a General Contractor throughout the remainder of the decade, laying the groundwork for becoming a renovation expert in the hospitality industry.
In 2002, he decided to add purchasing and design to his operation. Over the course of the next five years, he progressed from $5M to over $40M gross revenue, prompting the formation of Apollo Hospitality Group [AHG]. The expansion of his services now includes design, procurement, construction and asset consultation, making him the fastest growing turnkey renovation resource in the industry. As a result, he has been invited to participate as a thought leader in various panels and roundtable discussions with leading industry events and publications.
Jim Plantè – Corporate Officer
Although his son Aaron founded the company, Jim is the genesis for the work ethic and passion that has elevated Plantès Hotel Renovation [PHR] to where it is today. After attending North Dakota State University then serving in the Army, Jim moved to Southern California where he joined the painters union and soon earned his GC license. He spent 10 years working as a painting contractor and during that time he also earned his real estate license. He was flipping houses long before it was trendy and hired no sub contractors, doing everything himself.
Away from work, Jim devoted much of his time to his church, as a youth pastor. He spent 5 years as a part-time volunteer and then 10 years full-time, building the youth group up from 26 kids to over 600, serving as leadership to 62 volunteer leaders and 5 paid administrators.
Soon thereafter, Aaron saw the vision for PHR to grow and naturally thought of his father. It didn’t take long for Jim’s role to evolve into head of construction. During the years since his arrival, PHR gross revenue grew from $4 million to $40 million annually; but that is not what gives Jim the most pride. His gift is as a teacher, and over the years he has trained the majority of the skilled labor utilized by the sub-contractors, many of whom have since earned their own GC license and watched their businesses grow as a result. The relationships Jim has built ensures that PHR can deliver the highest quality of craftsmanship.
Blue Plantè – President of Operations and Information Services
A Southern California native, Blue graduated from DeVry University with a Bachelors Degree in Telecommunication and Enterprise Networking Management. Upon graduation, Blue went to work for White Cap Construction Supply where he became a Network Manager, managing direct reports in the Windows & Networking support group. During his eight year tenure, White Cap grew from 20 stores in the Western Region of the U.S. with over $200 million in sales to 150 stores Nationwide with over $1.4 billion in sales. Blue’s vast technical expertise as it relates to Information Services, his organizational acumen and attention to detail have been critical to the strategic growth plan of PHR/AHG.
Roland Miyagishima, CPA – Controller
A graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Roland brings over 30 years of experience in the role of Controller and/or CFO with companies such as CCC Steel, Unified Products, Inc., Quality Naturally Foods, Inc. and Band Pro Film & Digital, Inc. As PHR/AHG continue to grow, Roland’s knowledge in accounting, finance and distribution facilities plays a key role in maintaining its financial integrity.
Tim Martin – Director of Purchasing & Vendor Relations
Tim brings twenty years of management experience to the Apollo team by way of the retail and food service industries. Educated in global logistics at Long Beach State University, Tim was able to transition into purchasing and logistics for the hospitality industry. Since joining the team in 2004, he has managed over $30 million worth of inventory installed in over 5,000 guestrooms, at a time when the company’s gross revenue growth climbed from $4 million to $40 million annually. Tim’s expertise in logistics has played a critical role in achieving and maintaining the company’s track record of being on-time and on-budget with every turn-key project.
Michael Kim – Director of Construction & Estimating
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Michael joined PHR with 14 years worth of experience in real estate development, construction, and renovation throughout North America and Asia. His experience in the hospitality industry with companies such as Hilton Hotels Corporation, as Director of Design and Construction, and RLJ Hotel Development/REIT, as Sr. Project Manager, gave him the opportunity to work on projects with franchise brands such as Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Hyatt, and Holiday Inn.
Michael earned a BFA in Architecture and Environmental Design from Otis College of Art & Design in 1995, and was then educated at Pepperdine University earning his MBA in 2000. In addition, he is a California Licensed Architect, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and a LEED Accredited Professional for New Construction & Major Renovation. His wealth of experience in the hospitality industry and keen understanding of the life cycle of a project make Michael a superb fit for the long term vision at PHR and AHG.
Lori DeMatteo – Interior Design Manager
A native of Connecticut, Lori earned her MA in Fashion Design and BA in Business Management from Boston College. Upon graduation, she began a 10 year career at Bloomingdales, where she ascended from sales to the position of buyer. Her education and experience in the fashion industry allowed for a seamless transition into interior design, beginning in 1989, working for Tarsadia Hotels as a Project Coordinator. Earning her Interior Design degree enabled her to lead the in-house design department early on in her eleven-year career at Tarsadia, managing award-winning projects with Hilton and Marriott, as well as the twelve story Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego, located in the infamous Gaslamp Quarter.
She explains her approach to each project:“I strive for timeless creations, without having to compromise on functionality. Any project is best served with three distinct perspectives on the table: the designer, the operator and the guest.”