The TradeWinds Island Resorts sales team is one of the most experienced in Southeast Florida. They’ll be happy to help you with virtually every aspect of your event, making it an experience that will stay with your guests long after they return home. Use our RFP and one of our team members will contact you quickly to help you begin selecting the perfect venue, state-of-the-art conference rooms, planning the ideal menu, organizing unforgettable group activities and all other important details. You can learn more about our sales managers below. If you’ve already spoken to someone about your event, feel free to contact them directly using the e-mail and phone numbers listed with their profile.

Terry Popelka, Vice President of Sales

Terry Popelka leads the overall group sales and conference services and catering programs. Before joining TradeWinds Island Resorts in November 2009, Terry was with the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort as the Director of Northeast Sales for just short of nine years. Terry received numerous awards during his career with Starwood and in 2008 was named Starwood sales person of the year for all of North America. A veteran of the hospitality industry, Terry started his career in hospitality sales with TradeWinds back in 1995.
727.363.2245, tpopelka@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Mike Wagner, Director of Group Sales, Northeast

Mike Wagner is responsible for day-to-day operations of group sales. Mike moved to Colorado in 1993, where he owned and operated a bed and breakfast in a historic mining town. This began his love for the hospitality industry. Mike has served on several Chamber of Commerce Boards, and was chairman of the Town Promotion Commission where his bed and breakfast was located. Mike has been with the TradeWinds since 1999 working in the Midwest territory, and was named Sales Manager of the Year in 2007. 
727.363.2242, mwagner@twresort.com, 800.345.6461  

George Bentley, CMP, Director of Catering/Convention Services

George Bentley leads our catering and convention services teams at both of our resorts. Before returning to TradeWinds Island Resorts in February 2011, George was Director of Catering/Convention Services at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL for (2) years, Director of Event Management at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St, Petersburg for (3) years and most recently served as Director of Food & Beverage for the Clearwater Beach Hilton for (3) years. George held the same position with TradeWinds from 1994-2000 and we are pleased to have him back on the team.
727.363.2331, gbentley@twresort.com, 800.345.6461  

Karleen Johnson, CMP, National Sales Manager, Midwest

Karleen Johnson joined the TradeWinds Island Resorts in June of 2000 and is now the National Sales Manager for the Midwest territory. Prior to her promotion in January of 2008, Karleen held previous positions at TradeWinds as catering sales manager and convention service manager. She earned a BS in Hospitality Management from the University of Florida. Karleen was named TradeWinds’ Catering & Convention Service Manager of the Year in 2005 and obtained her CMP Certification in 2006.
727.363.2380, kjohnson@twresort.com, 800.345.6461      

Rachel A. Tyndale, National Sales Manager, West Coast

Rachel A. Tyndale came to us from New Orleans, LA., where she was the Director of Sales & Marketing for a historic Boutique Hotel. Rachel has also held positions for Starwood as a Senior Sales Manager and Marriott. Rachel relocated to St. Petersburg, FL. to join the talented team at the TradeWinds Island Resorts as their West Coast National Sales Manager. She has been presented with many awards such as Manager of the Quarter, and Pyramid Hotels STARZ Award (Exceeding Sales Goals). Rachel takes pride in delivering exceptional service to all of her clients and exudes a true hospitable persona. Rachel is pleased to be a member of the TradeWinds Island Resorts team and she is a fantastic addition to the excellent service that TradeWinds offers their guests.
727.363.2272, rtyndale@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Ralph Alderman, Jr., National Sales Manager, Mid-Atlantic States and Sports

Ralph Alderman, Jr., began creating an environment for successful corporate and association meetings and victorious sport teams in Winston-Salem, NC in 1995. Ralph has envied Tradewinds Island Beach Resorts sales, marketing and award winning services for over a decade. In June 2011, he joined the best hospitality team in the southeast. He is responsible for our clients in the Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. A Certified Hospitality Sales Professional, Ralph is passionate about his follow through on what he has promised.
727.363.2231, ralderman@twresort.com, 800.345.6461 

Adam Taylor, National Sales Manager, Florida Corporate

Adam moved to the St. Petersburg area 12 years ago. Adam is originally from Syracuse, NY and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Management. Adam has sold the Pinellas county beaches for over 12 years and is dedicated to showing clients all there is to offer in the area. Adam has received numerous awards and trips for his selling strategies and for his dedication shown to his clients. Adam’s motto is “anything is possible”. He is extremely excited to be part of such a great team at Tradewinds Island Resorts.
727.363.2256, ataylor@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Kathy Masterson, National Sales Manager, Florida Association

Kathy Masterson is handling the Southeast market for TradeWinds Island Resorts. Kathy is a native Floridian and began her hospitality career in Ft. Lauderdale while earning her Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Florida International University. Upon graduation, she moved to Daytona Beach and spent 13 years working for Adam’s Mark, Hilton and an independent property holding positions in Front Office Operations, Convention Services and Sales. Kathy credits her Operations background with her ability to consistently deliver exemplary service and exceed guest expectations. Her strengths are her energy and passion for the industry, and developing strong, long-term  relationships with clients. She is thrilled to bring these talents to the TradeWinds team of hospitality professionals!
727.367.6477, kmasterson@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Patti Abate, National Sales Manager, Southeast

Patti joined TradeWinds Island Resorts in 2008 when she moved to Sunny Florida from the slightly chillier state of Michigan. Quickly becoming familiar with almost every aspect of our beautiful beachfront property and surrounding area as an Island Grand Concierge, she was honored to be named Employee Partner of the Year in 2010. Professionalism with a passion for delivering excellent service is exactly what Patti brings to the Sales Team as the National Sales Manager for the Southeast Market.

Steve Seeram, National Sales Manager, Northeast

Steve joined the TradeWinds Island Resorts family, as National Sales Manager for the Northeast market, in January 2013. Steve comes to us from the Hilton Orlando, a 1,400 room convention/resort property. Prior to Hilton, Steve had the privilege to work for many outstanding properties in Orlando such as, Omni ChampionsGate, Doubletree Castle and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin where he began his hotel career in operations and sales. Steve has over 20 years of hospitality experience, 7 of which are in the hotel sales arena. After 5 years of building personal relationships with his Northeast clients, Steve is excited to make new memories at TradeWinds Island Resorts. With his experience and knowledge of the Northeast market, we are looking forward to Steve creating a bright future here at the property.
727.363.2238, sseeram@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Debra Davies, Preferred Partners Manager

Debra Davies facilitates partnerships between TradeWinds Island Resorts and corporate America, connecting businesses with TradeWinds’ Preferred Partners VIP Hospitality and Employee Discount programs. She also manages the charitable donation initiatives for TradeWinds, funneling hundreds of vacation certificates to local non-profits to raise funds for their organizations. Debra is the go-to-girl for all things green, actively participating in the TradeWinds Green Team, as well as many local environmental organizations including St. Petersburg Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Tampa Bay Watch and Pinellas County Native Plant Society.
727.363.2263, ddavies@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Sherry Schiefer, Site/FAM Coordinator

Sherry came to TradeWinds in March of 2010 from Michigan. She worked at Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Michigan in the Front Desk Department. Sherry began with TradeWinds as a Leisure Reservationist and quickly advanced to the Corporate Sales Department as an Administrative Assistant. Sherry was very excited to take on the Site/FAM Coordinator position when it opened in July 2011. She works diligently with the TradeWinds team to plan various aspects of all Sites and FAMS.
727.363.2230, sschiefer@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Katie Murray, Sales Manager, Southeast

Katie originally joined the TradeWinds team in January 2010 as an Activities Intern before accepting a full time position as Catering Sales Manager a few months later. In December 2011, Katie was promoted to Small Meetings Manager for TradeWinds Islands Resorts and has recently been promoted to Sales Manager for the Southeast market in January 2013. Katie graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelors degree in Tourism Management and Event Planning.
727.363.2236, kmurray@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Jo Courtney, Catering Sales Manager

Jo joined the TradeWinds team in January 2009 as a Catering and Convention Services Intern prior to accepting a full time position as an Administrative Assistant for the Sales Department. In February 2010, Jo was promoted to Convention Services Manager for TradeWinds Islands Resorts and in July 2011 she was promoted to Catering Sales Manager. Jo graduated from Eckerd College in 2009 and is currently pursuing her masters at University of South Florida.
727.363.2257, jcourtney@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Julie Manes, Wedding Sales Manager

As Wedding Sales Manager, Julie Manes exhibits an uncommon level of personal concern, attention to detail and an aura of calm to make sure her brides have their perfect day. She joined the TradeWinds Island Resorts team back in 1997, working in Convention Services, then took a new direction in 2004. Now she is back with her existing customers as Wedding Sales Manager.
727.363.2309, jmanes@twresort.com, 800.345.6461

Karen Lumpkin, Tour and Travel Sales Manager

Karen Lumpkin was born and raised in Indiana, where she operated a small catering company with her mother for many years. After working in the local court system in numerous positions, Karen decided to move to the Florida Keys where she spent four years. Karen then migrated to beautiful St. Pete Beach as the Department Coordinator in Tour and Travel for TradeWinds. Karen Lumpkin was promoted to Tour and Travel Sales Manager in early 2009.
727.363.2241, klumpkin@twresort.com, 800.345.6461