MEET THE COMMODORE EVENTS TEAM
Our dedicated team of experts are ready to make your celebration a memorable, exciting, and entertaining experience. We are always working to exceed your expectations!
FOUNDERS
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Captain Ward Hornblower Proescher
CEO
Susan Dittmar Proescher
President
Captain Morgan Proescher
Vice President & Director of Operations, Captain |
Captain Ward Hornblower Proescher:
Captain Ward Proescher is the CEO of Commodore Cruises & Events. He is also a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer, a graduate of UNC at Chapel Hill and third generation hotel-restaurant owner. Captain Ward is a “Pay attention to the details” kind of guy. “When things are prepared to perfection, it makes having a great time even more spectacular,” says the Commodore.
Susan Dittmar Proescher:
Susan is the President of Commodore Cruises & Events. She graduated from Miami University of Ohio with degrees in French & Education. Following graduation she went on to fly with Pan American World Airways as a flight attendant/purser before becoming co-founder of Hornblower Yachts in 1973. A few years after selling that company with her husband, Ward, Susan co-founded Commodore Cruises & Events in 1986.
Captain Morgan Proescher:
Morgan is a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer and the Vice President of Commodore Cruises & Events. He is a graduate of the Keenan-Flagler Business School of UNC, Chapel Hill and he maintains Commodore's pristine fleet of 6 luxury yachts. You will find Captain Morgan at the helm these days as he has assumed the responsibility of day to day operations, allowing his parents, Ward and Susan, to enjoy retirement. As a recent newlywed, Morgan enjoys traveling, SCUBA diving, a hard game of lacrosse at the Alameda Bladium, and competitive fishing on the water of our California Delta. |
Commodore "A Team"
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Linda Wright
Director of Sales & Events
A native to California, Linda spent her childhood learning the art of entertaining from her mother who planned special events and holiday parties for the whole community. As an adult, Linda found roots in Sonoma and Napa Valleys, planning weddings and corporate events. Concluding her education in San Francisco, she went on to work in concert production and entertainment on the east coast. A few years later, she returned to California to broaden her event planning skills in the nonprofit sector as well as the yacht event industry. Currently, she is thrilled to be back amongst the city lights of San Francisco working for a family owned business doing what she loves to do. From weddings to concert productions, corporate events to nonprofit events, air shows to trade shows, Linda can plan it. Combining 30 years of experience, she warmly welcomes each party and their guest to Commodore as a part of the family!
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Christina Ortega
Wedding Event Manager
Christina is a native of the Bay Area and attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Her degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management serves as the perfect reflection of her passion for the art of creating a once in a lifetime event for Commodore's Cruising nuptials. Fulfilling her dream to become a “Wedding Planner” Christina has a knack for taking brides ideas and making them a reality. It has been said that Christina often provides our guests with an Aw-mazing vision when they see the yacht on the day of the wedding. Details and imagination play a key role in developing a bride's vision and knowing the latest trends often makes Christina a great resource for our Brides and Grooms. When not planning weddings for Commodore, she is planning special parties for friends and family or just hanging out with her Jack Russell Terrier.
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Brienne Buhagiar
Celebration & Schools Event Manager
A Bay Area native, Brienne spent her childhood exploring every corner of Northern California with her five siblings and parents. After planning philanthropic events in high school and college, Brienne knew she wanted to go into the Event Planning industry. A University of California, Santa Barbara graduate, she holds degrees in both Business Economics and Art. Her passion for traveling led her to spend a summer working in Barcelona as well as a semester studying art in Florence. Her big smile and calm demeanor is complimented by her artful eye and attention to detail. She loves bringing new party ideas to life while planning special events for Schools, Birthdays, and Family Celebrations. When she is not planning events at Commodore, you can find Brienne marathon training, painting, and camping with her family. |
Trisha Lees
Social Media Assistant & Cruise Director
Originally from the state of Washington, Trisha spent most of her childhood exploring the Pacific Northwest. Her passion for travelling and learning about new places and cultures led her to attain a B.A. in Urban Studies from the University of Washington, Tacoma. With years of experience in office management, sales, marketing, and website management, she was able to find the perfect fit here at Commodore by combining her extensive work history with her love of working with people. Whether she is Tweeting about our latest events or Cruise Directing on one of our luxury yachts, you will always find her with a smile on her face. Being a newlywed herself, she has a sharp eye for detail and knows just how to make the bride's special day extraordinary. When she is not spending time with her Commodore “family”, she enjoys snowboarding, wakeboarding, SCUBA diving, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking with her chocolate lab. |
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Michael Tobias
Executive Chef
Michael graduated from UC Davis in Biological Sciences. Following a keen interest in food preparation and presentation, he then enrolled in a 3-year culinary program and graduated first among 465 students. He has experience at famous restaurants such as four-star Aqua, Plouf, Blue Point Bistro, and The Ritz Carlton. As Commodore's full time Executive Chef he has created special menus where the client is in charge. Choosing from our tier system menus, the client can build their own buffet or seated meal from hors d'oeuvres to desserts. It is not uncommon for Chef Michael to design a special menu for our clients. Blending cultures with the menu or providing special menus for Vegan or Gluten free clients are some of his favorite requests to fill. Sharing his outgoing personality, you will find Chef Michael chatting with the guests at our “Meet the Fleet” open houses or cruising the dining decks to insure your meal is just right. When not preparing for our guests unique culinary experiences Michael is spending time with his son and daughter often teaching cooking at the children's elementary schools.
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Commodore Outside Support Team
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