Evans Hotels Welcomes Jakub Skyvara as General Manager of The Lodge at Torrey Pines
San Diego, CA –Evans Hotels, the San Diego-based, family-owned hospitality company comprised of The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, and the Bahia Resort Hotel, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jakub Skyvara as the new General Manager of The Lodge at Torrey Pines. He replaces Bill Gross who has retired.
“Jakub brings a wealth of experience in luxury hospitality leadership from renowned properties across multiple continents,” said Robert Gleason, President and CEO of Evans Hotels. “His passion for fostering extraordinary guest and employee experiences make him the ideal leader to continue the tradition of Five Diamond excellence at The Lodge.”
Before joining Evans Hotels, Skyvara held the position of Executive Assistant Manager at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Orange County, California, where he was responsible for overseeing daily operations and leading a large team of associates to achieve exceptional performance and operational excellence. His impressive career includes key leadership roles as Food and Beverage Director at Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas in West Hollywood and at Viceroy Hotels and Resorts in Santa Monica. Skyvara also served as General Manager of Michelin-starred restaurants at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong, where he was dedicated to delivering world-class dining experiences. Furthermore, he has held various senior food and beverage management positions at Four Seasons properties in Santa Fe, Los Angeles, Lanai, Philadelphia, and Prague.
Skyvara’s academic credential reflect his commitment to professional growth. He earned degrees from Palestra - Charles University in Prague and the Hotel and Gastronomy School in Zlin, both located in his native Czechia. Further enhancing his leadership expertise, he also completed Cornell University’s General Manager Program and Florida Atlantic University’s Hospitality & Tourism Program. In addition to English, Skyvara speaks Czech, Italian, and German, bringing global perspective to his work.Beyond his professional pursuits, Skyvara places high value on spending quality time with his family, including his wife and 9-year-old daughter. His love for outdoor activities, such as golf, skiing and biking complements his balanced approached to life and work. This personal balance, along with his dedication to deliver exceptional guest experiences, continues to drive his success in the hospitality industry.
Skyvara replaces Bill Gross, the former General Manager of The Lodge at Torrey Pines, who began his career at Evans Hotels in 2006. “Over his 18-year career with us, Bill has left a lasting legacy on The Lodge and the entire Evans Hotels family,” continued Gleason. “His significant accomplishments and leadership has inspired countless team members, many of who have advanced in their careers under his guidance.”
In retirement, Gross plans to spend time biking, traveling to Europe and other international destinations, and staying connected to the hospitality industry.