HOSPITALITY PROVOCATEURS
ALAN DUNN
FOUNDER
Like most college kids, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I started school. I grew up in Dallas, Texas and worked my way through the University of North Texas waiting tables and bartending. I enjoyed the work, but it was a means to an end and at the time, I really didn’t think of it as a life’s ambition. I finished with an Economics degree and enough knowledge to know that I didn’t want to be an Economist.
My real education began the week after I graduated from college. I sold my car and bought a one-way ticket to Paris and traveled through Europe and Asia for over a year. In every way, this time in my life brought me an awareness and appreciation for other cultures that I don’t think I could have ever absorbed had I stayed in my hometown.
When I came back to the States, I enrolled in the NYC theatre school Circle in the Square. I spent the next five years in New York as a quintessential struggling actor; which meant I was also a waiter and bartender.
I moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, but I landed a job as a Food and Beverage Manager at the Standard Hotel in Hollywood. It soon led to me taking a position as the Food & Beverage Director at The Standard's sister property––the iconic Chateau Marmont Hotel. After several years of providing hospitality and cuisine in a way that caters to the specific tastes of the most discriminating clientele in Los Angeles, I felt confident in starting a brand of my own. A catering company at the highest level, paring exceptional cuisine with luxury hotel-caliber service. Tres L.A. was created in 2003.
With the Tres L.A Group, my driving principle has been to leverage my past experience and deliver the same level of service, detail and visual appeal for our clients and their guests that I learned while working in the boutique hotel and restaurant industry. At the same time, foster a positive and spirited work culture for employees to grow and feel as if they are part of something more meaningful than just a stepping-stone in their journey.
In 2011, I purchased what is now known as The Carondelet House and in 2015, I purchased The Ebell of Long Beach. In 2020 we opened our doors at The Mason, Dallas. I approached the remodeling and design of each venue as a blank canvas where I could fully curate every aspect of my work experience, my education, and my travels. I’d like to think the venues have become a pure expression of my vision as a host–– elegant, timeless and above all else, inviting.
TRES L.A. GROUP
VOTED CALIFORNIA WEDDING DAY'S BEST OF 2023
BEST CATERING COMPANY
For Los Angeles and Malibu
BEST OVERALL VENDOR
For Los Angeles
MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Statewide
CALIFORNIA WEDDING DAY'S MEMBER OF THE YEAR 2023, BEST OVERALL VENDOR AND CATERING COMPANY OF LOS ANGELES IN 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 & 2024
MIKE MAFFE
DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTS
Mike has 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, ranging from fast casual to fine dining, and has a BS from University of Oregon and an MBA from Tulane University. He enjoys taking on new challenges and brings a practical perspective to problem solving. Ask anyone on his team, and they will say that Mike's leadership style is centered around building a strong foundation of trust, support, and collaboration. He prioritizes client satisfaction above all else and is constantly seeking innovative ways to improve processes and deliver exceptional results. Go Ducks!
BRAD LEWANDOWSKI
SWEETWATER COCKTAILS BEVERAGE DIRECTOR
Indulge in the world of luxury libations curated by Brad, a veteran of LA and NYC's esteemed hospitality scene. With two decades of expertise, he designs unparalleled cocktails and possesses an ardent love for craft beer. Working directly with clients, he transcends expectations by fulfilling their every cocktail, beer, and wine desire.
JENNIFER ESCAMILLA
PRODUCTION & SALES MANAGER
With a background in wedding planning, Jennifer brings diverse skills, creativity, and enthusiasm to the table, creating unforgettable experiences. Her attention to detail contributes to her effective communication skills throughout the process. She is a natural relationship builder, adept at communicating and collaborating with clients, vendors, and corporate sponsors to cohesively bring your vision to life.
LUCAS KOEHN
EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF -
OFFSITE EVENTS AND TASTINGS
Lucas's heart has been in this industry for 15 years, starting right here in Southern California. From Malibu Cafe and the Biggest Loser Resort to Chef de Cuisine at Pedaler's Fork and in Redding, California, Sous Chef at View 202 and C.R. Gibbs, he has excelled in the culinary world. Lucas shares his passion for cooking with his mother; they even attended culinary school together! After opening Star Spangled Catering, a veteran-owned and family-operated business, they both returned to Los Angeles. Lucas's mission since then has been clear: to learn from the best chefs and to continue growing his culinary expertise.
ADAM NICHOLSON
CHEF DE CUISINE -
EBELL OF LONG BEACH
Adam is a seasoned chef with a love for food that spans over 13 years. He has honed his craft in various kitchens from coast to coast working alongside various culinary innovators such as Andrea Van Willigan, Emeril Lagasse, Rolando Baramendi, and Michelle Bernstein. Chef Adam is dedicated to sharing his passion for food with the world.
LUCIANA ALVAREZ
KITCHEN MANAGER –
WOODLAND HILLS
Luciana is the heart of our Woodland Hills kitchen. She assists in catering events and client tastings, collaborating with our chefs to ensure flawless execution. Her administrative skills, communication, and organization keep the kitchen running smoothly. Luciana is always eager to learn and grow, bringing fresh ideas to the table.
PATRICK LAWSON
OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR -
VENUES & OFFSITE EVENTS
Meet Patrick, a logistical mastermind with over a decade of experience in operations. His expertise covers production, warehousing, and an unmatched attention to detail. Challenges are his stepping stones, as he firmly believes that no obstacle is unbeatable.
NICHOLAS SCARNATY
LOS ANGELES CORPORATE CULINARY DIRECTOR
As the Corporate Culinary Director, Nick oversees all operations at our Los Angeles corporate dining location. With a culinary journey that began at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and experience working in various cuisines in Manhattan's food scene, Nick ensures the highest level of client satisfaction and streamlined processes in our corporate dining program. He has also worked extensively in operations and culinary logistics for many years, bringing a wealth of expertise to his role at Tres LA.
SARA KANAK
CORPORATE DINING REGIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
Meet Sara Kanak, our Regional Operations Manager overseeing our West Region Corporate Dining Data Center locations. With over 10 years of experience in food service, Sara has managed restaurants, hotels, and boutique properties, collaborating with executive chefs to create menus for fine dining and events. She's passionate about developing teams and generating innovative ideas. As Regional Operations Manager, Sara oversees data center operations, partnering with leadership to drive the success of our culinary program.
SAALIM NANCE
CORPORATE DINING REGIONAL CHEF
Meet Saalim, our Regional Chef overseeing our West Region Corporate Dining Data Center locations. With a wealth of experience in fine dining, banquet halls, casinos, and multi-outlet food establishments, Saalim has been a valuable member of our team since 2018. He previously served as Senior Sous Chef at our Los Lunas Data Center Culinary Team, where he brought his expertise and dedication to creating delicious meals for our staff and visitors. In his current role, Saalim oversees culinary operations across our West Region data centers, ensuring that our teams have the support they need to provide exceptional dining experiences.
KAUSHIK SANYAL
CORPORATE DINING FOOD SAFETY & CULINARY COMPLIANCE ASSISTANT MANAGER
Kaushik's commitment to exceptional service is rooted in his extensive experience in the hospitality industry. He began his career at 19 and has worked in various sectors, including retail, hotels, upscale dining, and catering. His passion for guest satisfaction and attention to detail is evident in his approach to service excellence. As a Food Safety & Culinary Compliance Assistant Manager, Kaushik takes pride in collaborating with our Chefs to oversee our food safety and allergen program, ensuring that we provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive dining experience for all guests at our corporate locations. With numerous certificates under his belt, Kaushik is well-equipped to lead our cooperate dining team in maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality.
KYLE HENNIGAN
VENUE DIRECTOR -
THE MASON DALLAS
At the heart of The Mason Dallas is Venue Director Kyle Hennigan, a Louisiana native with over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. With a meticulous eye for detail and a passion for fostering connections, he not only plays a prominent role in our team but is also a respected member of industry organizations, including the Society of Wedding Professionals, where he serves on the Board of Directors. His dedication has earned him recognition and accolades from prestigious bodies like the National Association of Caterers and Event Planners, TXACOM, Meeting Professionals International, the International Live Events Association, and the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, solidifying his status as an award-winning professional.
JENNIFER MACLEAN
VENUE DIRECTOR -
EBELL OF LONG BEACH
Directing our Ebell Long Beach location is our seasoned professional, Jen MacLean. Jen has been overseeing Ebell Long Beach for over a decade and each year produces close to 100 events! She brings her expertise in directing each event while still giving each client a personalized experience. With so many logistics behind each event, Jenn highlights teamwork as part of her success. She has a passion for client relations, sales, and collaborating with menu planning.
TARA BAUER
VENUE DIRECTOR ASSISTANT -
THE MASON DALLAS
Tara, the Venue Director Assistant at The Mason Dallas, brings a distinctive background to the events industry. With previous experience as a Special Education teacher, she possesses a genuine passion for event planning and curation, driven by her commitment to creating unique and memorable experiences. Tara's dedication to excellence is unwavering, as she plans to embark on certification as an events planner and coordinator this year, further elevating her skills and ensuring the delivery of exceptional experiences for our valued Tres LA clients and guests.
KATIE SHERBERT
PRODUCTION MANAGER -
EBELL OF LONG BEACH
Katie Sherbert is an accomplished Senior Production Manager with extensive expertise in orchestrating seamless and memorable events at the Ebell Long Beach. With over 2 years of experience in the industry and over 250 events under her belt, Katie is a master at overseeing every detail of event production, from assisting clients with their layout and timeline to the execution. Her unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that every event she manages is a success!
AVERY LANE
VENUE MANAGER -
CARONDELET HOUSE
With over 10 years of experience in hospitality, Avery began her journey at Sunset Restaurant in Malibu and then flourished in wedding sales at Calamigos Ranch. As a communication graduate, she has passionately crafted dream events, merging creativity and organization. A networking enthusiast, her joy lies in making people's event dreams a reality, fueled by years of experience and a commitment to excellence.
AUDIE ESTRADA
SENIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER
Stay tuned! Bio coming soon.
KELSIE HENDRIX
SENIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER
Kelsie brings southern hospitality and a contagious smile to the team. Her ability to maintain strong relationships with clients and tailor each event to their needs makes for an easy partnership. She infuses creativity and passion into every detail of the event, from food to ambiance and everything in between.
SERGIO LLERENAS
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
With over 15 years of experience shaping financial success, Sergio propels companies to greatness. Equipped with an MBA in Corporate Finance and a Managerial Accountant certification, he joins Tres LA's leadership team, infusing it with excitement and driving it to extraordinary heights.
MYLENE SILVER
HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER
Meet Mylene, our Human Resources Business Partner. She serves as a crucial link in providing HR support to managers and employees across all our locations. Mylene's unwavering commitment revolves around cultivating a positive and inclusive workplace environment and nurturing a strong sense of belonging among our team.
ANDREA GOMEZ
HUMAN RESOURCES GENERALIST
Andrea is our Human Resources Generalist with over 15 years of hospitality experience. Her specialties include employee relations and compliance. She is passionate about employee well-being and works diligently to ensure our team is set up for success, enabling them to execute events at the highest level.
SHANNON TRUEX
HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENT &
STAFFING MANAGER
With 15 years in hospitality and 5 years in HR and staffing, Shannon has honed her skills in team development and support. Hailing from sunny Florida, she is a strong advocate for service, employee training, and morale. When she is not crafting new development strategies, you'll find her perfecting the art of smoked brisket—a true culinary passion.
CAROL DEVINE
RECRUITING MANAGER
Carol brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked at some of the most renowned restaurants in Los Angeles. Her deep passion for service is evident in her commitment to building strong, cohesive teams who share her love for food, hospitality, and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Carol’s expertise in recruitment is rooted in her belief that success in hospitality comes from people who are as passionate about service as she is.
EIRENE FULGENCIO
CORPORATE PASTRY SOUS CHEF -
LOS ANGELES CORPORATE DINING
Chef Eirene is a culinary pro with experience at some of the most prestigious establishments, including Bouchon Bistro & Bakery, Shutters on the Beach hotel, and the Jonathan Club private club/hotel. She has even worked in unique environments like private jet catering with Air Gourmet. Her passion for pastries and desserts runs deep, and she bakes with the aim of warming hearts and pleasing our incredible corporate clientele.
TEMPISTT WILLIAMS
FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER - LOS ANGELES CORPORATE DINING
Starting her career in the restaurant industry at the age of 18, Tempistt quickly honed her abilities in delivering exceptional customer service, training staff, and overseeing a seamless dining experience.
SELENA GAMEZ
FRONT OF HOUSE ASSISTANT MANAGER -
LOS ANGELES CORPORATE DINING
Stay tuned! Bio coming soon.