DEDICATION
EMANUELE NATELLA | FOUNDER & CEO
After graduating with honors from the Swiss Hotel Management School, in Montreux decides to go back to Dominican Republic, where he grew up and has now spent over 20 years. Tapping from his managerial experiences across the Hospitality industry including Luxury Hotels chains St. Regis Grand and Gran Melia and operational positions in Europe and the Caribbean, Emanuele, spent the last four years creating Volalto, in order to address the country’s growing need in the administration and bookings for theCondo Hotel/Villa sector. Prior to the creation of Volalto, held the position of Vice-President of Operations - Condo - Hotels Division, for a top-tier national company, responsible for the administration and Operations of over 1,200 Units throughout the island in vacation destinations such as Cap Cana, Punta Cana, Bavaro, Juan Dolio, Samana, Las Terrenas, Sosua and Cabarete.
Completed an MBA in the prestigious BARNA Business School of Santo Domingo in 2012 and loves sports such as soccer, tennis and volleyball.
THOMAS DREFS | COO IN CHARGE OF SALES
As a passionate and responsible professional, Thomas started his fruitful career in the hospitality industry for guest service at the Hotel Orilla del Mar. Then he had a brief stop at his natal Germany where he worked as a security assistant for Copa Airlines. Afterwards he developed himself as a shift manager for the Hotel Meliá Caribe Tropical and recently he joined the Volalto Family.
Thomas is married and has two children. In his spare time he likes to spend it with them, play football with his friends, participate in healthy activities to keep fit and focus on his daily work.
PATRICIA RUEDA | HEAD OF VILLA MANAGEMENT
From Spain, has a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and a master in Hotel Management in the University of Seville, Spain.
She arrived in the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana, 5 years ago to complete the master’s internship at Paradisus Palma Real, from Melia Hotels International.
Starting as a weddings, groups and events coordinator for Melia during 3 years has extensive knowledge and experience of the hospitality industry. Later, working as F&B coordinator at Eden Roc cap Cana, gave her the opportunity to discover and work specifically with the luxury customer service.
She spends her free time going to the beach and travelling around the country to enjoy the most beautiful corners that it offers.
EXPERTISE
JOSÉ PEREYRA | HEAD CONCIERGE
After graduating from Science and Mathematics in one of the most prestigious schools in New York City, Jose has dedicated his career on Real Estate, after relocating to the North coast of the Dominican Republic in 2008.
He has gained experience from working with respected brands like Remax North Coast, Dr-Listings and has also managed a department at a profitable vacation rental business in Cabarete.
Jose is now Volalto's Operational Concierge in both; Punta Cana and Cap Cana.
KAROL GENAO | CONCIERGE & VILLA MANAGER
Native from Puerto Plata, began her first rungs in the hotel industry in her hometown in 2002. She has a degree in Tourism and Hotel Business Administration with a specialty in Rooms Division Management from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, with vast experience of more than 20 years in the hotel industry.
Most of her career was dedicated to the large hotel chain Melia Caribe, for 14 years; where she held positions in Customer Service Management, Rooms Division Management, Public Relations Management and The Level Management. Karol is passionate about customer service and enjoys very much of assisting our visitors.
In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and closest friends, also meeting new places and going to the movies.
ANDRES NUÑEZ | CONCIERGE & VILLA MANAGER
He has a bachelor in Social communication and has done several courses in PR & Sales, since college he was immerse with client service that help him with his beginnings in the Hospitality industry. He started has a concierge agent In Catalonia Bavaro, then switch to “Puntacana Hotel” afterwards was approached to work in Tortuga Bay Hotel, Part of the Leading Hotels of the World, as a Concierge and Villa Manager. five years later worked as a groups & Events Coordinator for Puntacana Resort & Club. He recently started working in Volalto bringing with him more than 10 years of experience in this field.
He loves to travel and experience other cultures, always open to new experiences, but when hes not working home is his happy place, watching Sci Fi movies or series, taking care of his plants, listening to music. enjoys crossfit and doing handy work around his house, and watching Youtube videos of how to do it right.
PASSION
MELISSA ESPINAL | RESERVATIONS & SALES MANAGER
Born and raised in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. Melissa has a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Management, specialized in Sales and Marketing from PUCMM.
Her career began in 2010 in the Retail Industry in stores such as Kenneth Cole and Nautica, discovering her vocation and passion for Customer Service.
Upon completing her higher studies in 2015, she had an internship at Puntacana Resort & Club where she stayed until 2021 for hotels such as Tortuga Bay and Westin in the areas of Reservations, Sales, Villa Management, Housekeeping Management and Groups & Events. For professional and personal growth in 2021 she starts a new experience at Volalto Group.
MELINA VALDEZ | CONCIERGE & VILLA MANAGER CAP CANA
From Santo Domingo, has a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management & Tourism in the Universidad Dominico-Americano (Santo Domingo).
After graduation she discovered her passion for hospitality business and Weddings and Social Event planning. Recently joining Volalto Group to challenge herself in this new perspective of the industry.
She loves to travel and experience other cultures, always open to new experiences. When she is not working, she enjoy to visit the beach, read and spent time with family and friends.
KERSTIN LEON | BÁVARO OPERATIONS MANAGER
Wide international experience in different sectors of tourism, starting her career as Management Assistant for air traffic control at the Hamburg International Airport in Germany, then continuing her carrer working as Destination Representative in different countries such as (Spain, Egypt and Cyprus). Kerstin has now been living in the Punta Cana area for almost 20 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in the areas Hotel Industry.
COMMITMENT
VANESSA OSECHAS | INTERIOR DESIGNER
She graduated from international trade and passionate about art and communication, hence she enjoys to transmit ideas, emotions, stories and feelings through audiovisual language.
She also loves to beautify spaces that provide maximum comfort and delight its occupants and observers.
She is fond to theater, cinema, yoga, as well as reading and good food, which makes her a stylish foodie.
JUAN QUEZADA | ACCOUNTING MANAGER
He has a bachelor in accounting for Caribbean University and Master in financial for Universidad Central del Este, he is CPA for Dominican Republic with more than 6 years of experience as Accounting manager, he started working in tourism sector in 2019. He loves play chess, mix martial art and go out.
LINORBY JAVIER | INFRASTRUCTURE & MAINTENANCE MANAGER
Architect from the first university in America (UASD), with seven years of experience in residential design and construction. He began his career as a project designer in Santo Domingo at the Laugama construction company, years later joining the Architect of works in Coral Bay, Cana Rock, Punta Cana to later join the Volalto family.
Linorby is passionate about art and design, so he spends his spare time doing it, he also likes to play basketball and go to the beach frequently.
HOSPITALITY
MILDRED PEGUERO | HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER & QUALITY CONTROL
Dominican, moved from her hometown Santo Domingo 8 years ago to Punta Cana…. Mildred graduated from PUCMM University with a degree in Hotel and Tourism Management; currently making a Post-Grade in Ecotourism at Centro Europeo de Postgrados (Ceupem); with more than 10 years of experience in the area, working at renowned hotels such as El Embajador in Santo Domingo as housekeeper supervisor and Tortuga Bay in Punta Cana Resort as housekeeper coordinator; plus other jobs that help her with employees management and gain the experience to be able to please the tastes and standards of our luxury clients.
On her spare time, she likes going on family trips, hosting parties for friends and family, meeting new people and culture. Helping the environment doing some recycling projects while listening to music! Passionate with food and wine.
DIANA MELO | CONCIERGE & VILLA MANAGER
Native from La Romana, Diana has a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management & Tourism in the Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE.
Her passion for service and tourism started in her family business working as a salesperson in their gift shop, which led her to finally move to Punta Cana in order continue to pursue it. Most of her career took place in one of the largest hotel chains worldwide, for over 4 years as a Conference Service Manager & Weddings Coordinator. Diana recently started her journey with us, and it is very excited to continue expanding her knowledge.
In her free time, she loves to go to the gym, spending some time with friends, taking care of her dog, and traveling all around the world! Learning from different cultures is something Diana is passionate about.
ANGEL DE MOTA | SALES & MARKETING ASSISTANT
He grew up in Punta Cana, originally from the capital city (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), has seen the growth and development of tourism in this eastern part of the country. With more than 8 years of experience in Customer Experience, and previously as an Account Executive of a globally renowned tour operator, he now joins our prestigious team.
Passionate young man, dedicated to excellence, eager to continue providing his skills and expanding his professional knowledge. Among his hobbies, he enjoys exercising, quality time with his family and music.
GERARDO RODRIGUEZ | CONCIERGE & VILLA MANAGER
Born and raised in one the touristic poles of the island, La Romana, Dominican Republic. With a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Master in assembly and organization of events and banquets. Gerardo began his hospitality career with the recognized hotel network Blue Diamond Resort, then at Puntacana Resort & Club, always related in Sales and Commercial departments. More than six years guiding costumer service behind the scenes at Reservations Department and since 2021 he decided to develop his hospitality skills and came upfront at Tortuga Bay Hotel as a Villa manager and Embajador of Guest Experience.
Very passionate to pander the people and do special things to make them feel pleased. He is a sport’s man, he likes to watch the games at home, especially basketball y baseball. Really fan of baseball and on his free time he uses to play softball. He doesn’t leave aside his passion for the kitchen, he dreams to run a restaurant.