HOWARD WRIGHT
Founder Howard Wright is an entrepreneur and executive with extensive experience in the transportation, tourism, and hospitality industries. He founded SHG in 2002 to help unlock the full potential of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic brands in those sectors. Howard is also a managing partner of the Sheraton Grand Seattle, and serves on the boards of several closely held restaurant and hotel ownership groups.
Early in his business career, Howard owned Renton Aviation, the leading global volume retailer of Cessna aircraft, and was a co-owner of Mutual Travel LLC, a business travel management advisory service with $300 million in annual gross revenue.
Howard’s extensive community involvement has centered on two other passions — his hometown of Seattle and Latin America. He is deeply involved in Seattle’s business, arts and education issues. As a board member of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce of Seattle, he represented employers by co-chairing the City of Seattle's Income Inequality Advisory Committee, which crafted the city’s phased-in $15-per-hour minimum wage law in 2013.
As a member of the Washington State University Board of Governors, Howard helped lead the University’s first $1 billion capital campaign. Mr. Wright also sits on campaigns for PATH and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He previously served on the boards of the Amigos de las Américas Foundation, the Seattle Symphony Foundation, Intiman Theatre, the U.S. Foundation for Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Vermont Academy, the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington, and The Children’s Discovery Foundation, which operates The Funhouse Commons on Orcas Island.
Howard Wright is a graduate of Washington State University and the Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program. He lives in Seattle with his wife and son. In his leisure time, he pursues his passion for flight, piloting vintage airplanes to fly-ins up and down the West Coast.
CHAIR AND FOUNDER
CATE HARDY
Cate comes to Seattle Hospitality Group with a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the food and beverage and retail industries, with 25 years of experience in executive management, growth and development, operations, branding and marketing, merchandising, business improvement, supply chain, finance, and strategy.
In her role as President and Chief Operating Officer of SHG, Cate works with Howard, the SHG leadership team, and the leadership of each portfolio company to ensure each company, and SHG as a whole, fully achieve their potential to their customers, employees, and the Seattle community.
Cate was drawn to SHG by the opportunity to work with some of the most iconic companies and well-respected leaders in Seattle, and to do so in the context of a values and culture driven organization that is committed to enriching the lives of people and communities in her chosen hometown of Seattle.
Cate’s early career was in accounting, finance, and strategy and management consulting. She spent a decade at Starbucks in leadership roles in retail operations, store development, product development, and supply chain. Cate became CEO of PCC Community Markets in 2015 and led the company through a period of transformation and growth during a time of significant change in Seattle and the grocery industry. Prior to joining SHG, Cate was CEO of The Wine Group, the world’s second-largest wine producer.
Cate serves on boards in the food and beverage and leisure industries including Suja Juice, Crunch Fitness, WX Brands, and Seattle-based Kitchen & Market. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida and her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Cate and her husband Greg embrace and enjoy everything about life in Seattle, including hiking, snow sports, cruising the San Juan and Gulf Islands aboard their boat, and foraging in the forests and waters of the Pacific Northwest. They are avid international travelers with a particular affinity for the people, culture, and food of Southeast Asia. At home, they share their love of hospitality, cooking, and entertaining with friends and family.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
TORQUE ZUBECK
Torque Zubeck serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Seattle Hospitality Group, where he oversees financial strategy, operational efficiencies, and growth initiatives across SHG’s portfolio. With more than 23 years in aviation, finance, and management, Torque brings extensive experience and a proven track record in guiding organizations toward growth and operational excellence.
Torque spent 20 years with Alaska Airlines starting with Financial Planning and Analysis and moving on to roles of increasing responsibility across finance, commercial and operational roles, including leading Alaska Air Group Financial & Strategic Planning, the Alaska- Virgin America integration program, and Air Group Audit programs. After Alaska, Torque joined Mesa Airlines, a large regional airline, based in Arizona. Torque was responsible for all financial functions, investor relations, and supply chain before returning to the Seattle area.
Torque currently serves on the board of the Chief Seattle Council of Scouting America and is a past president of the Council. In addition, Torque has previously served on the board for the Air Cargo Council for Airlines for America (A4A) and the Alaska Air Carriers’ board.
Torque earned his Bachelor’s degree at Stanford University and his MBA with honors at Eastern Michigan University. A native of Alaska, Torque holds a deep appreciation for the Pacific Northwest. He and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy spending their time traveling and enjoying the outdoors with their family and friends.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
SCOTT MEIS
As Vice President of Marketing, Scott oversees and supports marketing and communications strategies for SHG’s portfolio companies to maximize growth and efficiency. Scott’s deep background in integrated brand marketing of over 18 years including 10 years of creative agency experience, allows him to guide companies through flexible and strategic high-impact targeted marketing campaigns that bring brand stories to life and maximize engagement.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Scott’s marketing career path started supporting various artists at an independent record label out east before he leaped to a Chicago-based boutique marketing and PR agency. His time spent managing campaigns across a variety of consumer, travel, nonprofit and government clients brought him back to Seattle to lead digital and creative teams at Weber Shandwick, a global strategic marketing and communications agency.
Prior to joining SHG, Scott spent 8 years as the VP of Marketing and Product at FRS Clipper where he oversaw and managed all integrated marketing initiatives as well as a product portfolio of 50 hotel, tour and transportation partners across five destinations. His tenure and executive leadership at FRS Clipper was instrumental in transforming the company into a refreshed and impactful travel company in Seattle.
An outdoor adventure enthusiast, foodie, photographer and all-around PNW travel hound, Scott spends the majority of his weekends kicking up dust on high alpine trails and chasing down the best bites across the region.
Vice President, Marketing
MACK HORNE
As Vice President of People of SHG, Mack partners with each portfolio company and the SHG leadership team to develop strategies that create dynamic, high-performing environments where accountability is delivered through enhancing employee engagement. With a 23-year track record in human resources leadership within various industries, Mack successfully navigated complex challenges in diverse environments, prioritized driving for results, and boosted employee development by utilizing engagement strategies.
Mack began his career with the state Department of Labor & Industries, where he gained valuable insights into regulatory frameworks. At Coca-Cola Enterprises, he discovered how impactful an HR management team could be by learning how to manage employee performance effectively. His time at Starbucks highlighted the critical role that enhancing employee engagement and culture played in the success of a business. While at Kenworth Truck Company, Mack focused on strategic initiatives that increased employee engagement and development. At Amazon, it was crucial to persist and be an agile problem solver to find different ways to drive business results, develop leadership teams, and be strategic with planning to achieve goals. In the hospitality industry, Wyndham Destinations taught Mack the significance of communication during the company’s rebranding phase, which was pivotal in increasing brand trust and elevating employee morale. In the automotive industry, Dobbs Truck Group chose Mack to assist with a company merger to form new HR teams and support systems to increase employee engagement, foster positive work cultures, and surpass expectations through effective planning, execution, and problem-solving.
Outside of work, Mack is a football fan, a loving dad, and a passionate foodie. When he's not working, you can find him rooting for the UW Huskies and Seattle Seahawks, out and about exploring the city with his two kids, or experimenting with different cooking techniques such as sous vide and barbecuing.
Vice President of People
HENRY ARIAS
As Director of Corporate FP&A/Development, Henry deploys deep financial acumen and modeling expertise to unravel many of the challenges and opportunities our portfolio companies face to help reengineer these legacy businesses and unlock their full potential.
Strong analytical abilities and a deep mastery of finance and accounting allow Henry to provide clarity and insights on how to create value at each of our businesses. He also evaluates the merits of investment opportunities where data is not readily available or must be extrapolated via due diligence and research.
Henry was drawn to SHG by the opportunity to work closely with the leadership teams at multiple iconic brands. The company’s collegial culture, he says, provides a sense of belonging and autonomy, which allow him to create meaningful relationships with different teams at the portfolio companies.
Before joining SHG, Henry worked with Seattle-based SDKB1 LLC, where he advised a family office on its investments. His time as a Relationship Officer at The Bank of New York Mellon provided Henry with broad experience in credit analysis, financial modeling, valuation and capital structure analysis. He further honed his analytical skills as an equity analyst at Wintrust Financial Corporation/Great Lakes Advisors, Credit Suisse Securities, and Caisse De Depot Et Placement Du Quebec. Henry Arias holds an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
When he’s not searching for business insights, Henry can be found enjoying the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty with his wife and daughter. He serves on the board of the Pike Place Market Foundation and is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth and the Seattle Finance Collective. He’s also an avid snowboarder and recreational golfer.
DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE FP&A AND DEVELOPMENT
VANESSA MCDONALD
Vanessa supports SHG leaders in the administration of key projects and coordinates the activities of SHG executives and those of its portfolio companies.
She was drawn to SHG by its commitment to preserve and invest in iconic PNW companies, and its commitment to build environments where employees are valued and engaged.
SHG benefits tremendously from Vanessa’s wealth of experience in managing projects and supporting corporate leaders in business administration. She successfully juggles the ever-changing components involved in meeting project deadlines and aligning busy schedules in part through the creation and maintenance of effective working relationships across the SHG ecosystem.
In alignment with the company’s mission, Vanessa incorporates SHG’s values in her daily interactions with colleagues and members of SHG’s portfolio companies with a service centered attitude. Her collaborative work style and attention to detail ensure that Vanessa’s partners can depend on projects being completed thoroughly and on time.
Vanessa is a foodie and loves trying new Puget Sound eateries, especially those offering fresh, local, and sustainable seafood and a fabulous water or mountain view. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys increasing her wine knowledge as a tasting room associate in Woodinville. She also enjoys traveling to warm climates, being outdoors, rooting for Seattle’s sports teams and scouting for the area’s best bakeries.
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
THUONG TRAN
As the Chief Aide to the Chairman, Thuong is dedicated to providing seamless support and handling a wide range of responsibilities that directly impact the business operation. Thuong is the behind-the-scenes force that keeps everything around the Chairman’s busy, active schedule running smoothly. With experience living and working across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the US, Thuong brings a unique, well-rounded perspective to her role. She finds fulfillment in assisting others while embracing the diverse opportunities that come with working at SHG.
Thuong’s journey in hospitality began right after college when she founded a business that has since become one of Vietnam's premier destination wedding consultancies. She then refined her expertise as an Executive Assistant at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. There, she supported the CEO and the COO in establishing the operations of 10,000 employees, contributing to the property’s internationally acclaimed success. After completing business schools in Tel Aviv and San Francisco, Thuong joined a tech startup as its second employee, growing with the company until its successful acquisition by a Fortune 500 firm. Afterwards, she pursued her interest in the arts by running her own ceramic studio and selling her work internationally.
Thuong holds a Bachelor’s degree from the National University of Singapore, an MBA from Tel Aviv University, and a Master’s in International Marketing from Hult International Business School.
Outside of work, Thuong enjoys traveling with her family. She also has a love for learning, from mastering the game of Go to keeping up with her streak on Duolingo. A long-term personal project of hers is to author a children's book.
