Who We Are

In 1999, TradeWinds Island Resorts was acquired from the Fortune Hotels by a private investment group. Under the direction of CEO Tim Bogott, a capital improvement program totaling almost $50 million has made the properties one of the most sought-after destination resorts in central Florida. Today, the management team oversees each of our 800 guest rooms and suites, 12 food and beverage venues, seven pools and endless activity options to provide our guests with the perfect vacation, meeting or event. Find out more about our involvement in the community.

Learn more about our management team below:

Timothy R. Bogott, CEO

Since taking his post in 1999, CEO Tim Bogott has overseen the addition of our Grand Palm Colonnade, a complete renovation the Sandpiper Resort, and a wealth of other improvements. Bogott is an active figure in the community, and is the director of the Academy Prep Center for Education, a Board of Governors Member for the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, a Dali Museum board member and is the chairman of the budget committee for the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council. A native of Sterling, Illinois and a graduate of the University of Colorado, Bogott currently lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Anje, and their two children.

Keith Overton, CHA

A 20-year veteran of Florida's hospitality industry, Keith Overton now leads TradeWinds family. Overton has overseen the company’s operations, sales and marketing efforts, accounting functions, and capital improvements projects at the resorts since 1995, and works to ensure the resorts uphold the standard of service consistent with the TradeWinds name. He serves as an officer on the board of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and currently teaches at Schiller International University in their hotel and tourism management program. A native of Orlando, Florida, Overton is a graduate of Concord University, West Virginia and the University of Central Florida, Orlando. He also has a Master’s Degree in International Tourism from Schiller International University. Overton lives in St. Pete Beach with his wife, Julie, and four children.

Sam Baage, CFO

Sam Baage joined the TradeWinds Island Resorts as the chief financial officer in April 2005. He is responsible for all accounting, treasury, finance and information systems activities for both TradeWinds Resorts. A 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Baage has also held senior financial positions with several prominent hotel groups.  A native of Canada, Baage is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University. He has also completed courses in hotel and restaurant management at the Ryerson Institute and Cornell University. Baage is a member of Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals and SKAL Club Tampa Bay. He resides in St. Pete Beach.

Lynda Waters, VP of Marketing

Lynda Waters is a 30-year veteran at TradeWinds Island Resort. She is responsible for all marketing initiatives inside and outside of the company. She oversees the in-house ad agency, Forward Advertising, that handles all aspects of advertising and collateral production for the TradeWinds properties, including concept, graphic design, copywriting, print production, video production and media purchases. A native of Tampa, Waters graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Journalism. She is a member of HSMAI, Sales and Marketing Executives International, Tampa Bay Ad Federation, was a charter member of Tampa Bay Network of Executive Women and participates in two book groups. Waters has two grown daughters and lives in Tampa with her husband, Chip. 

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, started his career in hospitality sales with TradeWinds back in 1995.
727.363.2245, tpopelka@twresort.com, 800-345-6461 

Don Wooldridge, VP of Human Resources

Don Wooldridge joined TradeWinds Resorts as the vice president of human resources and director of training in 2000. Wooldridge’s responsibilities include overall direction and supervision of all human resource functions and implementing a comprehensive training and development initiatives. Prior to his employment with TradeWinds, Wooldridge held training and human resources positions with MeriStar, Westin and several other resorts throughout the U.S. He lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Linda, and his two children.