Management Team
Frank L. Flautt, Jr.
Co-Founder, Sandcastle Resorts
Mr. Flautt began his career in hospitality in 1963, joining Holiday inns, Inc. as Director of U.S. Franchise Sales and became Senior Vice President of International Franchise Sales, which granted licenses to all franchises outside of the United States. After a successful 6 years, he left Holiday Inns to become the President of W.B Johnson Properties (owner of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company). In 1974, Mr. Flautt formed Flautt Properties, Inc., which offered a full range of real estate services including development, construction, supervision, management and accounting. Executives of Holiday Inns, Inc. named 8 of the hotels managed by Flautt Properties in its worldwide system's Top Twenty Inns. Additionally, the company won numerous development awards. In December 1990, when Mr. Flautt sold his 100% interest in Flautt Properties to more actively pursue the expansion of Sandcastle Resorts, the company was managing 18 hotels. In 1990 in addition to continuing to develop hotels, Mr. Flautt began developing condominium projects throughout north and south Florida.
Fred V. Alias
Co-Founder, Sandcastle Resorts
Fred V. Alias began his distinguished career in the hotel industry after graduating from the University of Mississippi with a BBA degree in marketing and sales. After graduation, he joined Holiday Inns, Inc. of Memphis, Tennessee as National Sales Representative in Los Angeles, California for the then 1,100 inn hotel chain. He was ultimately promoted to Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Holiday Inns, Inc., in charge of all international sales offices outside the continental United States. Offices under his direction included Tokyo, London, Paris and Zurich. Alias left Holiday Inns in 1973 to join Atlanta-based W.B. Johnson Properties Inc. (owner of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company). During his nine years with this prestigious firm, he served as Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Development, Executive Vice President of Operations, and ultimately as Chief Operating Officer. Under his direction, the firm went from owning and operating five Holiday Inns to a network of 12 of the largest Holiday Inns on the East Coast, in addition to the development and ownership of five Marriott hotels. Alias developed the 1,500-room Orlando Marriott, which at the time and remains today the largest franchise ever granted by Marriott Corporation in the United States. From 1975 until 1982 Mr. Alias was the Vice Chairman of W.B. Johnson Properties, Inc. owner of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company. In 1982, Alias and Frank Flautt, Jr. formed Sandcastle Resorts, Inc.
Robert T. Kamm
President & CEO
Robert T. Kamm, began his career in public accounting with Ernst & Ernst after graduating from Arkansas State University in 1973. Later, he became an audit manager with Rhea & Ivey, a regional accounting firm where he had the responsibility for the firm's larger clients in various industries including manufacturing, construction, retail and wholesale sales, medical practices and hospitality.
In 1982, Mr. Kamm joined Flautt Properties, Inc. - Sandcastle Resorts, Inc. He helped formulate the structure and design of the condominium hotel projects, negotiated joint ventures and financing, evaluated and analyzed acquisitions and dispositions for the companies. Mr. Kamm also spent two years as a Director of Operations for Flautt Properties, Inc. Mr. Kamm has had an ownership interest in several hotels with Mr. Flautt.
After the sale of Flautt Properties, Inc. in 1990, Mr. Kamm was in charge of the development of the final phase of Beachwalk Condominium project in Destin, Florida. In 1992, Mr. Kamm left Flautt to work with a fast food franchisee successfully restructure the operations and financing of the company. Mr. Kamm, in 1996, rejoined Sandcastles as its Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to CEO in 2004.
Gary Koester
Executive Vice President
Gary began his career with the Procter & Gamble Company after receiving his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. He filled positions of increasing responsibility in high-speed manufacturing, Customer Service (including operation of a 1million square foot distribution center), and as Internal Consultant leading Total Quality / Zero Defect Culture implementation - receiving the Award for TQ Excellence from the Japan Institute of Plant Management.
After entering the hospitality world as an investor while at P&G, Gary transitioned his Fortune-500 skills to the hotels full time in 2002. He joined MountainTop Management (MTM) in 2004, and co-founded Hospitality Investment Services in 2006 to add development and acquisition services. He achieved Certified Hotel Administrator status from the AH&LA in 2005. Gary consolidated the management operations of MTM into Hospitality Investment Services where he remains Partner & Principal.
Gary’s hospitality experience as Manager, Developer, Owner, or Investor includes involvement in over 27 assets covering Select Service, Full Service, and Resort properties; including affiliations with Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Best Western, and others. Gary has managed 21 Properties, developed 5 Select Service properties, and Re-Branded / Re-Built / Re-Licensed / Re-Financed / Refreshed 10+ projects.
Associated with Sandcastle Resorts since the 2014 expansion of the Serenity SPA and Ballrooms. Gary was appointed Executive Vice President in 2022 to supplement the capabilities of the established management team, applying his unique ownership perspective, broad management skills and technical capabilities.