Cote Hospitality Introduces New Grand View Lodge Leadership Managing Director, Executive Chef and Director of Sales

For Immediate Release -- Minneapolis, Minn. (June 13, 2024) -- Cote Hospitality today announced three key additions to its leadership team at Grand View Lodge, Spa and Golf Resort:  Dawn Southworth, Managing Director; Executive Chef, Justin Grecco; and Director of Sales, Paul Barbaro. Both Grecco and Barbaro have strong ties to Minnesota and the lake life. Cote Hospitality, a division of Cote Family Companies, operates and manages Grand View Lodge, Spa & Golf Resort, Camp Lincoln for Boys & Camp Lake Hubert for Girls in Nisswa, Minn., and Tanque Verde Ranch, located in Tucson, Ariz.

Dawn Southworth, Managing Director

Southworth comes to Grand View Lodge from Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort, Golf & Marina, in Florida, where she served as the General Manager of the 200-acre mixed-use resort featuring a private member club, marina and multiple Homeowners Associations.  She was responsible for multimillions in renovations and the planning and execution of capital projects. Under her stewardship, the resort saw consistent revenue, reputation growth and profitability. Southworth played a significant role in engaging with the local community and this is something she looks forward to as she acclimates in the Brainerd Lakes area. While Southworth has spent a significant part of her career in Marriott properties with Crescent Hotels & Resorts, TPG Hotels and Resorts, HEI Hotels & Resorts, Winegardner & Hammons, and Marriott International, she also has held leadership positions with Omni Hotels & Resorts.  Her experience encompasses multiple segments and brands, from urban hotels to resorts, including key positions with the Ritz-Carlton.

"We believe that Dawn's love for connecting people, desire for consistent service excellence and her history in mentoring and coaching several of her team members through the years, was what stood out as her most compelling attributes," said Agnelo Fernandes, CEO of Cote Hospitality. "She is a strong communicator, leads from the front and is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and serve. Dawn brings the required breadth of experience in multi-faceted resort operations and takes delight in setting and fortifying a culture of excellence. Her resort operations background and education are outstanding, and I believe that she will creatively contribute to enhancing our Grand View Lodge positioning," added Fernandes.

 Justin Grecco, Executive Chef

Grand View Lodge Executive Chef, Justin Grecco, is a seasoned culinary expert and leader who started at Grand View Lodge in April of this year. A recognized restauranteur and culinarian in the Twin Cities area, Grecco has a love of the state and is well-aligned with the food community.  "His culinary repertoire proves his expertise in perfecting a wide range of flavorful menu options," said Dawn Southworth, Grand View Lodge Managing Director. "And the fact that his back-of-the- house team has followed him throughout his career is a true testament to his mentorship and leadership abilities," added Southworth.

 Born in St. Paul, Minn., Grecco's culinary journey began with graduation from culinary school in 2000, followed by an internship at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco. He swiftly ascended the ranks, holding executive chef positions at various establishments, including country clubs, hotels like the St. Paul Hotel, Radisson South, and the Afton House Inn, based in Minnesota. Grecco ventured into entrepreneurship, opening his own restaurants such as Grecco's on the St Croix and Roman Anthony's in White Bear Lake. In 2009, he pioneered "Chef in a Box," the country's first meal kit box service. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, he continued to excel, even serving as Executive Chef of the Pine Ridge Grouse Camp in Northern Minnesota, where his love for fishing intertwined with his culinary career. Grecco's dedication to both his profession and his passion for angling led him to settle in Northern Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes area, where he enjoys the best of both worlds.

Paul Barbaro, Director of Sales

Paul Barbaro comes to Grand View Lodge with nearly 20 years of experience in hospitality sales, with most years managing sales and revenue generation. Barbaro worked at several properties including The Kahler Grand Hotel (Rochester), Virgin Hotel New York City, King George Hotel, Hotel Griffon and Marriott properties. "His high energy and motivated working style is perfect for us," said Southworth. "His proven track record of driving revenue and fostering strong client relationships is just what we're looking for. We are confident his experience aligns well with Grand View Lodge and look forward to his success as a leader of our sales and catering departments." Barbaro lives in Nisswa, Minn., and has been coming to the area with his family since he was a young boy. 

About Grand View Lodge, Spa & Golf Resort

The historic Grand View Lodge, Spa & Golf Resort, has created the feelings of nostalgia with family and friends as most Minnesotans know of and have stayed at the resort at one or more times in their upbringings. Today's Northern Minnesota resort has transformed 2500 feet of lakeshore by offering adventure, celebrations, wellness offerings and community experiences. The resort offers a variety of private, luxury accommodations, from boutique hotel suites to traditional cabins and spacious villas, perfect for families, couples, business meetings and wedding destinations. While there, guests can experience 45-holes of championship golf, outdoor recreation adventures, along 2,500 feet of sandy beach on Gull Lake, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, and wellness experiences at the award-winning Glacial Waters Spa. A quintessential year-round getaway, Grand View Lodge offers guests an array of culinary experiences at 10 unique restaurants, all designed to please and delight guests of all ages and taste preferences. To learn more, go to Grand View Lodge.

About Cote Hospitality

For over 100 years, Cote Family Companies has distinguished itself by providing a range of hospitality services specializing in the management of resort facilities and services, real estate and development operations. Cote Hospitality is a division of Cote Family Companies, and its unique vision and mission is to enrich the lives of its guests by creating exceptional experiences and memories. It owns and operates an intimate collection of resort and camp holdings located in Nisswa, Minnesota, featuring the historic Grand View Lodge Spa & Golf Resort, Camp Lincoln for Boys and Camp Lake Hubert for Girls, and the multiple award-winning Tanque Verde Ranch, located in Tucson, Arizona. Cote Hospitality offers best in class accommodations and amenities, golf, spa & wellness, food and beverage, meetings and events, weddings, recreation, retail and horsemanship. Its vision and mission are to enrich the lives of its guests by creating exceptional experiences and memories. To learn more, go to Cote Hospitality.