VRWS Leadership Interview of the Day

1. What inspired you to enter the vacation rental industry?

Like many in this space, I stumbled into vacation rentals by accident. Back in 2010, while getting my undergraduate degree in California, I listed a spare property and quickly saw both the potential and the challenges of short-term rentals. What started as a side gig became a full-blown property management company. But the toughest part wasn’t the guests – it was building a reliable team. Finding and retaining high-quality hospitality talent was a constant struggle, and that pain point eventually led me to start Extenteam. We provide remote solutions for vacation rental operations – helping property managers scale efficiently with global talent and smart technology.

2. What sets your company apart in the vacation rental industry, and how do you ensure you stay ahead of the competition?

Extenteam was built by operators, for operators. I experienced firsthand the staffing bottlenecks and operational inefficiencies that hold property managers back. That’s why we combine bespoke remote talent with purpose-built technology – offering not just staff, but true operational solutions.

Two of our latest offerings, Tailwind (24/7 guest communications) and SmartRecruit (AI-powered platform for hiring top remote talent), reflect our belief that tech and talent together drive better guest experiences and business outcomes. Extenteam is proud to support over 200 PMCs and 50,000 units around the clock, and we stay ahead by continually listening to our partners and building for their evolving needs.

3. If you attended the 2024 Vacation Rental World Summit in Porto, what was the most exciting or valuable takeaway for you? And looking ahead to the 2025 edition in Rome, what are you hoping to gain or experience this time?

The last time I was able to attend VRWS was in Annecy, France – but from everything I heard, the 2024 VRWS in Porto was energizing and full of insight. The most talked-about takeaway was how quickly the industry is converging around automation – balanced by a renewed emphasis on the human element. Attendees described a shift away from tech-for-tech’s-sake toward tools that truly elevate the guest experience and streamline team operations.

Looking ahead to Rome in 2025, Extenteam and I eager to connect with more operators tackling scale and complexity, and to see how global labor trends are influencing the way vacation rental companies structure their teams. I’m also looking forward to learning how European operators are thinking about AI and other innovative approaches to support growth without burnout.

4. Beyond business, what’s one experience or destination that left a lasting impression on you, and why?

Flying into Queenstown, New Zealand left a lasting impression – not just for the jaw-dropping scenery, but because it perfectly captured what I love about aviation and travel: navigating complexity, chasing clarity, and appreciating the journey. As an aviation enthusiast, there’s something deeply inspiring about seeing the world from above, especially when the runway is framed by mountains.

5. What’s one fun fact, hidden talent, or little-known secret about you that other attendees should know to spark a great conversation with you?

Here’s a fun one: I named our 24/7 guest communication solution Tailwind because I’m really passionate about travelling and aviation. A tailwind helps you get where you’re going faster – with less resistance. That’s exactly what I want our partners to experience when they work with Extenteam: momentum, ease, and speed. So if you ever want to chat about aircraft types or flight paths, or my progress on my PPL journey over happy hour – I’m your guy.