Our Executive Team

Bret Matteson

Chief Operating Officer, Columbia Hospitality

An established hotelier and restaurateur, Bret Matteson's expertise draws from over 20 years of extensive hospitality experience. Earlier in his career, Bret opened luxury hotels around the world for both Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons. He now considers himself a recluse from the world of large corporate hospitality companies, preferring the hands-on involvement with employees, owners, and guests that Columbia Hospitality's premier hospitality projects offer.

His industry knowledge and management expertise is diverse and well-rounded, including operations leadership, finance, human resources, food and beverage, training and development, process improvement, labor relations, pre-opening development, and management of luxury hotel properties.

Prior to joining Columbia Hospitality in 2001, Bret was the opening general manager for the 425-room Elliott Hotel in Seattle. He also made his mark on the opposite coast, serving as food and beverage director of the 900-room, five-diamond New York Palace Hotel. He was on the opening team for the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach, California, and five separate Ritz-Carlton Hotels in California, Hawaii, and Australia. During his career, Bret also opened two 400-seat restaurants, which included the launching of off-site catering and wholesale baking companies.

Bret is active in the hospitality industry, serving on the board of the Washington State Hotel and Lodging Association and as a member of the Seattle Hotel Association. He has also authored hospitality expert columns and articles for the Puget Sound Business Journal and National Hotel Executive.

Bret earned a bachelor of science in Business and Finance from San Diego State University.

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I am proud to be involved with the management of each of our unique properties as we continue to provide exceptional service and create raving fans at each location. The ultimate reward in what we do is helping our owners realize that the wonderful vision they have for their properties can be achieved and then exceeding their expectations again and again.