Team

Always a visionary, Holthus embraces bold ideas and new possibilities. Holthus loves to think outside the box and is adept at continually shifting vision and strategy. A preservationist at heart, she is in her element when brainstorming with her team about her portfolio of historically and architecturally significant properties.

Holthus spent the first decade of her career in commercial banking providing loans to real estate developers. It was in this industry that she mastered developing spreadsheets, analyzing financial statements and understanding various business models. This disciplined corporate background laid the groundwork for Holthus’ move into the entrepreneurial side of finance and real estate.

With an affinity for high-end travel, Holthus is constantly searching for authentic luxury travel experiences and remarkable destinations. With the purchase and development of the Washington School House Hotel, Holthus became an accidental hotelier. Marcy, along with her husband Tom, launched Pilot Hotels in 2018 after purchasing the Château du Grand-Lucé in France as the next hotel project.

Marcy is married to Tom Holthus, an attorney and Pilot Hotels co-founder. The two have worked together often over their decades-long marriage. The Holthus’ have five kids and one dog. Living in Southern California, the Holthuses are an avid sailing family. On weekends they can be found along the Southern California coast, either on a boat or along the shore — binoculars in hand.

Truly a hotel savant, Michael has built his career in the high-end, high-brow, uber-luxe realm of the hospitality industry. It is in this ultra elite world — catering to the most discerning traveler, that Michael is completely comfortable. Michael has an affinity for stacking his team with the best and running operations seamlessly and flawlessly.

Michael’s tenure with the company began in 2011 as Assistant General Manager of the Washington School House Hotel. He joined before the launch and quickly rose to the position of General Manager. Under Michael’s stewardship, Washington School House Hotel became an industry leader and media darling.

With his most recent position as Managing Director of Pilot Hotels, Michael has moved to France and will oversee the launch of Pilot’s newest project, Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé, while maintaining oversight of both Hotels in the Pilot portfolio as well as future launches and operations.

Michael is an avid cyclist and hiker and has been exploring the Loire Valley in France in his free time. His French has improved dramatically as has his love and knowledge of French wines. Insightful and intuitive, if you have met Michael chances are he remembers you — and everything you need to have an incredible curated travel experience.

Through their company, Paul Allen Design, the husband and wife duo of Paul and Shannon Wehsener are responsible for a fully integrated design concept at each property. With a vigilant attention to detail and a masterful approach to form and function, Paul and Shannon’s design genius can be seen at every level throughout each project. Their insightful design is evident in the stunning hotel interiors and in every creative element, from the pen on the desk to the uniforms worn by the staff. Paul and Shannon are obsessive that every detail is on-brand all the time.

Shannon has a commanding grasp of three dimensional spatial design which is paramount in property restoration, when the footprint of a project is confined by historical requirements. A luminary of good taste – Paul leads the duo in interior design with an incredible eye for fabrics and furnishings.

Paul and Shannon’s work with the team began with the development of the Washington School House Hotel in Park City, Utah, in 2010 when their design received critical acclaim in the industry. The Wehseners live in Southern California and have two children and one rescue dog. In their free time, Shannon and Paul live and breathe design, seeking inspiration at every turn.

The newest member of the team, Benoit joined Pilot Hotels concurrent with its purchase of the Château du Grand-Lucé in 2017. Born and raised in Montreal — with French as his first language — it is no coincidence that Benoit joined the team just as a French speaking project manager was needed.

Incredibly talented and extraordinarily organized, Benoit brings more than just a mastery of the French language to the table. After studying design in Montreal, he spent more than a decade working in architecture and engineering. Always an entrepreneur, his understanding of various business models is exceptional. With a keen focus on the end result, Benoit pragmatically assesses and solves the puzzle that is property development and preservation.

As Project Manager, Benoit has his attention focused on Pilot Hotel’s current French project, Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé. He is responsible for all oversight, from hiring architects, engineers, contractors and consultants, to collaborating with the design team on scope and vision, as well as managing scheduling and budgeting, and of course, translating French to English for the rest of team.

Benoit lives in Southern California with his wife, two boys and a Dalmatian puppy. An accomplished athlete, Benoit has been a triathlete his entire adult life and has a passion for cycling.