Barnabas Carrega
Co-Founder & Sales Director
At GR8, Barnabas serves as the Director of Sales. Providing focused leadership and motivation, he is a vital strength in driving consistent sales growth. Carrega is also responsible for developing fundamental partnerships and corporate relationships that are essential for GR8’s progression and expansion. Additionally, he is in charge of maintaining GR8’s exceptional customer service department, particularly in the tasks of hosting and client reception.
Davide Frau
Co-Founder & Marketing & Communications Director
Davide Frau was born in Milan, Italy. With an undeniable passion for international culture, science and strategy development, he attended the Scientific Technology and Informatics Institution in Milan during his adolescence. Davide then decided to expand his study to Communication and Marketing and attended the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan where he received a Bachelor of Science in Communication. He then studied abroad at the Universidad Villanueva Complutense de Madrid where he focused on Marketing, Advertising, and Political Communication specific to the Spanish language. With goals of pursuing an advanced education, Davide obtained a Master’s Degree in Marketing International Business Communication and traveled to the United States to engage in a graduate study abroad experience in the University of Miami (Miami, Fl) where his course concentration focused on international perspectives of business strategy.
Over the last 8 years, Davide has worked for several companies in Europe and the United States where he has showcased his vast knowledge in internal and external communication, above and below the line advertising, traditional and non-traditional marketing, market research, market development and sales. He is also an active member of international associations such as the International Advertising Association, Italian Comites Commission and the European Chamber of Commerce. Davide’s international experience, educational background in marketing and business communication, and work experience in marketing and sales are key assets that strengthen GR8’s team. He is also fluent in English, Italian and Spanish.
At GR8, Davide serves as the Marketing and Communications Director. Frau has been a vital strength in the company’s marketing unit and is the developer and enforcer of GR8’s internal and total business communications strategy. As head of the company’s tactic and business plan development, he develops and executes strategic plans that provide strong guidelines for GR8’S future growth. Additionally, with a major role in office management and human resources, Frau is also responsible for maintaining the internal company foundation and structure.
Hector Nieto
Co-Founder & Operations Director
Hector Nieto was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico. At the age of 17, he finished the year ranked number one in Mexico and decided to move to Miami to continue his tennis career. After being named the 2006 Miami Herald Player of the year as a High School Student Athlete and accepting an athletic scholarship to the University of Miami (FL), Hector decided to stay in the city of Miami. He graduated from the Business School with a degree in Finance and played four years for the varsity tennis team where he ranked 53rd in the nation in doubles as captain of the team. Hector’s education in finance, work experience in financial services such as HSBC and Prudential Investments, knowledge of the tennis and sports industries, and international travel experiences are important assets that strengthen our team. He is fluent in English and Spanish.
At GR8, Hector serves as the Operations Director. Nieto has been a key asset in GR8’s sales unit, partnership development and international management. As head of GR8 Mexico offices and Latin America from Miami, Nieto is responsible for its proper execution of tasks and future advancement. With continued progression in developing significant partnerships and corporate relationships, locally and internationally, he is also a vital part of expanding the GR8 brand and its services worldwide.
JC Whitner
Co-Founder & Financial Director
J.C. Whitner was born in San Francisco, CA. After attending IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Whitner attended and excelled in collegiate tennis for the University of Miami (FL) business school with an academic and athletic scholarship, where he received his degree in International Finance and Marketing along with several distinctions such as cum laude honors, an Arthur Ashe award, a member of the All-ACC Academic Men’s, and several others. His work experience was in the financial services industry as a financial analyst working for Fairholme Capital Management and Mutual Fund and Bryson Financial Group. J.C.’s background in International Finance and Marketing, work experiences in financial services, connections and knowledge of the tennis, sports and Miami industries and fluency in English and Spanish are key assets that strengthen GR8’s team.
At GR8, Joseph serves as the Financial Director. Whitner has been a key asset in developing and distinguishing GR8’s product-line of unique packages, experiences, and membership program. As a part of GR8’s product-line, Whitner has continued the process of growing multiple key partnerships with specific goals and objectives to generate business. Internally, Whitner has made a noteworthy effort to build team unity and growth by setting goals and objectives within the team. He serves as a major role on the marketing side of the company, while maintaining the company operations in the investment, financial, legal, and accounting departments. Whitner is also credited with developing the concept of GR8’s most recognized event the “GR8 Friends for Japan” event.
Benito Perez Barbadillo
Director of Tennis Experiences
Benito is a recognized face for all people involved in tennis and other sports around the world. His life has been dedicated to sports and communication. He began work at a young age in the marketing and promotional area of the Formula 1 circuit in Jerez, which later became the trampoline to his future job as a Public Relations Manager for the ATP.
He started with the ATP in 1996 and spent 11 years learning the business as he performed different roles (his latest was Senior Director of Media Relations) and was involved in many projects that contributed to the development of tennis in many different markets, from Latin America to Asia, and from the Middle East to Europe and the States.
He recently started a new venture «B1PR» and created a network of clients in the tennis circuit. He is in fact the first personal PR Manager for tennis players, currently for Rafael Nadal and previously for Novak Djokovic. His visionary work has contributed to making these athletes amongst the most popular and media friendly in the sports world. Having joined GR8 in 2011, Benito uses his unmatched knowledge and connections to further enhance the incomparable value of the GR8 experience.
Mariano Bartolome
Director of Golf Experiences
In 2000, Mariano began working at the Jim McLean Golf School at the Doral Resort and also overlooked all operations and training at the golf school located in Madrid, Spain. After serving as Director of Instruction for over 4 years and seeing the continued success of the program, Mariano opened his own golf center in downtown Miami, Florida, optimizing the opportunity to create an incredible state of the art learning center at the JW Marriott Marquis. He is now teaching full time at the JW while also teaching at Doral Resort. Mariano has worked with numerous renowned celebrities, professional golfers on the PGA, European, and Mini-Tours such as Andres Romero, but his most notable accomplishment was when Angel Cabrera won the 2007 U.S. Open under his coaching.
At GR8, Mariano serves as Director of Golf. With his years of experience teaching some of the world’s most notable players and his parallel success in prestigious golf schools, Mariano has developed the skills to provide clients with an unforgettable golf experience. Using his vast knowledge on the sport and his personable and patient character, Mariano effortlessly leads successful golf instruction programs and tournaments for both individual clients and corporate groups.
David Negri
Director of Events
Mike Levy
Strategic Alliances and Business Development
Mike Levy is the founder and former CEO of SportsLine.com (CBSSports.com), a leading sports media company which published CBS SportsLine.com, NFL.com, PGA Tour.com and NCAA Sports.com.
At SportsLine, Mr. Levy forged alliances with CBS Sports, AOL, the NFL, the NBA, MLB, the PGA Tour, the NCAA, various players’ associations and many superstar athletes including Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Joe Namath, John Elway, Jerry Rice, Mike Schmidt and Wayne Gretzky.
From 2008 through 2010, Mr. Levy was CEO of OPEN Sports Network, Inc., a next-generation internet service that offered advanced fantasy sports applications. OPEN Sports entered into an agreement with FOX Sports to provide fantasy football products on FOXSports.com for the 2008 and 2009 NFL seasons.
Mr. Levy was selected as one of The Sporting News 100 most powerful people in sports for three consecutive years (1999-2001). In 1999, he was given the Annual Achievement in Technology and New Media Award by UJA Federation of New York. In 1997, Mr. Levy received the “Florida Entrepreneur of the Year Award” sponsored by Ernst and Young and the “1997 Interactive Entrepreneur Award” by the Interactive Services Association. Having joined GR8 in 2011, Mike Levy incorporates his vast knowledge of sales and entrepreneurship into the company’s daily developments.
Daniele Castelnuovo
Director of Italy Experiences