Chip has worked in the private club and hospitality industry for over 25 years, with much of his career spent in Europe and Asia with companies including ClubCorp, Disney Development Company, and The Gary Player Groups. A US and Swiss citizen, he is a graduate of the Lausanne Hotel School in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a Masters Degree in Real Estate Development from MIT. Chip served for several years as Board Chair of Glynwood Center, an organization whose mission is to strengthen farm communities and regional food systems. A member of the Garrison community since the Davis’ purchase of The Garrison in 1999, he served for several years on the local Comprehensive Plan Special Board.

Marti Ajello, the Assistant General Manager of The Garrison and Highlands Country Club, has worked for over 25 years in the hospitality industry. She holds a degree in applied science from SUNY-Delhi’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Marti joined The Garrison in 2004 with an extensive corporate background that includes positions in training, sales and “problem solving” for Holiday Inn Express, Howard Johnsons and the Doral Properties at Arrowwood. Marti was also the assistant general manager at the boutique hotel Morgan’s in New York City and was the Director of Operations at the Tarrytown Executive Conference Center in Westchester.

Vinny graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and was chosen as one of eight graduates to work in the prestigious Fellowship teacher’s assistant program at the CIA, a position he says “was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, developing important organizational and management skills that are key to my success today.” Mocarski then took a position as a line cook at the Sheraton in Ocean City, Maryland before returning to the Hudson Valley to work at The Garrison’s Bill Brown restaurant. He was quickly promoted to sous chef, and then to chef de cuisine, a position he retained when the restaurant was renovated to Valley.

Joe Spivak has been the Head PGA Golf Professional at The Garrison since 2000. He is a graduate of The Golf Professional Training Program, The PGA of America’s most extensive curriculum and the most rigorous training a golf professional can go through.Before arriving at The Garrison, Spivak worked at two of the most prestigious facilities in the country — Fenway Golf Club and Winged Foot Golf Club, both in Westchester, NY. He has trained under several top 50 and top 100 teachers in America and has worked with players of all abilities, from PGA Tour Players, professional athletes, mini-tour professionals, and club professionals to collegiate players, top ranked junior players, amateurs, and beginners.

A Hudson Valley resident for most of his life and Hospitality Veteran for over half, Mr. Brown’s journey of experiences encompasses The Martha’s Vineyard Patisserie Francaise, Valley Cottage Café, Hastings-on-Hudson Buffet de la Gare, Mount Kisco Lex, Greenwich Elm Street Oyster House, North Salem 121, Chappaqua Kittle House and now- Garrison Properties. College attendance consumed two brief yet concentrated years at Elizabeth Seton followed by Sales Management with WZFM Radio and Entertainment Publications. It is a delight for Mr. Brown to be a part of the greater Hudson Valley community where many things culinary are world-class. He and Garrison Properties embrace local-sustainable-biodynamic and organic in many forms. If an occupation could be a vacation, then the good doctor prescribed it best for James to flourish at The Garrison and The Hudson Highlands Club.

While studying for her communications degree at Long Island University, Ann Marie joined a group in opening a nightclub in Long Island and then a restaurant in downtown Manhattan. After moving to the Hudson Valley she was the Catering Manager at Eclisse Restaurant in Westchester where she worked for several years. Ann Marie took a hiatus from the restaurant business to start a family, but continued using her skills to organize school fundraising events. She re-entered the industry managing Valley restaurant at The Garrison for several years before joining the banquet team.

A Hudson Valley native, Bridget started working at The Garrison in 2011 as a bridal assistant and quickly moved into captain position. Inspired by her work at The Garrison, she decided to go back to school and graduated from The New York Institute of Art & Design with a degree in Wedding & Event Planning in 2014. She has obtained more than 14 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry and continues to enjoy every second working in this field.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Jane relocated to the Hudson Valley to attend The Culinary Institute of America. Though her education took her on many adventures throughout the United States, it wasn’t until she was working as a Pastry Chef at The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, when she fell in love with front of house hospitality, and event coordinating. Upon returning to Poughkeepsie, Jane managed several local businesses before joining our team as a Special Events Manager, here at The Garrison. Now, officially calling the Hudson Valley her home, Jane is elated to be in a position where she can assist her clients in celebrating their most precious moments!