Aaron Gjellstad Email & Phone Number

San Francisco Bay Area / Johannesburg

Luxury Frontiers designs sustainable and immersive resorts, lodges, and camps in naturally beautiful locations all over the globe. Specializing in architecture, interior design, procurement, project management, and strategic advisory services, the firm offers an end-to-end scope of services to poise an asset for success in today’s ever-evolving experiential travel space.A leader in alternative building techniques for the lodging sector, Luxury Frontiers is known for creating upmarket… Show more Luxury Frontiers designs sustainable and immersive resorts, lodges, and camps in naturally beautiful locations all over the globe. Specializing in architecture, interior design, procurement, project management, and strategic advisory services, the firm offers an end-to-end scope of services to poise an asset for success in today’s ever-evolving experiential travel space.A leader in alternative building techniques for the lodging sector, Luxury Frontiers is known for creating upmarket tented camps and other rare and iconic hospitality builds on the world’s new frontiers of travel. Driven to bring people closer to nature without sacrificing sustainability or sophistication, Luxury Frontiers helps clients create meaningful guest journeys through strategic planning and award-winning design. Show less

San Francisco Bay Area / Johannesburg

Los Angeles, Ca

Consulted on the product development and management of 5-star boutique hospitality products in remote or “hardship” destinations, empowering our clients’ relevance in the increasingly experiential hospitality-based market. Together with clients, composed signature hospitality products in truly one-of-a-kind locales around the world. Clientele included Four Seasons, independent luxury resort owner/operators, and highly-esteemed asset owners.• Completed market and competitive set analyses… Show more Consulted on the product development and management of 5-star boutique hospitality products in remote or “hardship” destinations, empowering our clients’ relevance in the increasingly experiential hospitality-based market. Together with clients, composed signature hospitality products in truly one-of-a-kind locales around the world. Clientele included Four Seasons, independent luxury resort owner/operators, and highly-esteemed asset owners.• Completed market and competitive set analyses and identify new business opportunities through new or enriched experiential hospitality offerings• Conducted asset acquisition or development feasibility studies• Adapted existing assets, services, and operating procedures to serve a new experiential hospitality-based product under new ownership or operations• Drove clients' efforts in creating or updating their brand imprints, curating rare and trademark guest experiences, and establishing the supporting operating procedures• Developed the product and experiential story, ensuring the following values are inherent: sense of place, authenticity, connection, and inspirational activities• Defined luxury service standards pertinent to a location and/or perform luxury service audits• Outlined or streamlined human resource models, logistics, and supply chain management systems Show less

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Managed Abu Camp– a low volume (6 keys), high touch resort in the remote Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 5 line managers and 64 staff members deliver tailor-made experiences and provide first-hand access to elephant conservation, research, and interactions to Abu guests.• Responsible for the general management of the Safari Experience, Elephant Conservation Management, Maintenance & Grounds, and Staff Kitchen departments, especially managing the related assets, human… Show more Managed Abu Camp– a low volume (6 keys), high touch resort in the remote Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 5 line managers and 64 staff members deliver tailor-made experiences and provide first-hand access to elephant conservation, research, and interactions to Abu guests.• Responsible for the general management of the Safari Experience, Elephant Conservation Management, Maintenance & Grounds, and Staff Kitchen departments, especially managing the related assets, human resources duties and development of managers and staff• Oversaw the maintenance of the Lodge, operating equipment, and back of house infrastructure (to include environmentally-minded generator and solar power, water, and waste disposal) Show less

Seoul, Korea

• Commanded the training and management of 80 American and South Korean personnel to build and sustain airfield infrastructure and operations• Directed the deployment of the battalion’s 500+ personnel and logistical resources to U.S. Army-Korea Army joint aviation exercises in remote locations, managing generator energy distribution, 4x4 vehicle fleet maintenance, IT support, food/water sanitation, and medical care • Maintained accountability for equipment valued at over $6… Show more • Commanded the training and management of 80 American and South Korean personnel to build and sustain airfield infrastructure and operations• Directed the deployment of the battalion’s 500+ personnel and logistical resources to U.S. Army-Korea Army joint aviation exercises in remote locations, managing generator energy distribution, 4x4 vehicle fleet maintenance, IT support, food/water sanitation, and medical care • Maintained accountability for equipment valued at over $6 million Show less

Fort Riley, United States

• Managed the battalion’s supply chain, financial planning and annual budget of $1.25 million within 2% of monthly goals • Coordinated 7 company supply teams, inventory levels, and the accountability of equipment valued at over $162 million• Implemented a system of fiscal responsibility to save the unit over $660,000 and maximized return on expenditures by enforcing internal procedures, controls and reporting systems

Tikrit, Iraq

• Developed and executed combat flight missions totaling over 250 hours to directly support high-profile clients—such as generals, senators, sheiks, and business executives—and their nation-building efforts in stressful foreign environments• Advised battalion commander on current and planned operations to influence and develop long-term strategy• Managed the employment of the battalion’s 34 aircraft and other U.S. Army assets to support multi-national forces, VIPs, logistical… Show more • Developed and executed combat flight missions totaling over 250 hours to directly support high-profile clients—such as generals, senators, sheiks, and business executives—and their nation-building efforts in stressful foreign environments• Advised battalion commander on current and planned operations to influence and develop long-term strategy• Managed the employment of the battalion’s 34 aircraft and other U.S. Army assets to support multi-national forces, VIPs, logistical transport and medical evacuation in a hostile zone Show less

Kuwait / Tikrit, Iraq

• Directed maintenance operations of battalion’s 34 aircraft by managing a 79-person team in a hostile zone through scheduled maintenance and coordinated service contracts with external teams• Maintained accountability for equipment valued at over $20 million

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Tourism Management

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), International Relations And Affairs