A Commitment to Excellence

The Icon Hospitality Team

Matthew Fox

Director of Operations

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As Director of Operations for ICON Hospitality, It’s Matthew’s commitment to uphold the long-standing pillars of success to the company. These pillars revolve around valuing the company’s employees and loyal customers.

Matthew has local roots, growing up in Egg Harbor Township. His passion for hospitality began before Revel’s closing, while employed by Amada, Chef Jose Garces’ original restaurant. 

After the Revel closed, Matthew joined Cuba Libre restaurant in Tropicana working as an hourly employee. Matthew held a variety of roles at Cuba Libre.  Initially hired as a busser, Matthew worked as a server, then bartender, and finally leaping towards Front of House Manager at their Philadelphia Location. 

After working two years at the Philadelphia location, Matthew took on the role as General Manager of their Washington DC Location. This role provided Matthew with an avenue to oversee all restaurant operations, including nightlife, all while sustaining a successful business model during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Matthew Fox moved back home in 2022 and was hired as the General Manager of Izakaya by Michael Schulson in Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Matthew is bringing his catalog of operational knowledge and qualities of leadership to the valued tradition of the ICON family.

 

Kristin Neafsy - Icon Hospitality Staff

Kristin Neafsey

Vice President of Sales/Certified Wedding Planner
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As the Vice President of Sales for Icon Hospitality, Kristin helps boost sales for ICON’s properties, works with the sales team to meet goals and objectives, and gathers and implements new marketing ideas to sell The Carriage House. Kristin joined ICON in 2004 as a Customer Service Representative at Gourmet Italian Cuisine. In 2006, she was named Sales and Catering Manager for both Gourmet Italian Cuisine and The Carriage House, a position she held until she assumed her current position in 2010. Kristin’s unique combination of education and experience, including a Communications degree from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, an educational program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, and her background in food and beverage sales and service allows her to help guests plan and execute outstanding events.

Kristina Bannon - Icon Hospitality Staff

Kristina Gatto

Director of Finance and Administration
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As a key member of the administrative team, Kristina is the Director of Finance & Administration at Icon Hospitality. She brings over 10 years of administrative experience to the table with expertise in financial administration and payroll. Kristina’s experience makes her an invaluable asset to Icon Hospitality. Originally from Galloway, NJ, Kristina graduated from Atlantic Cape Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Psychology. Reporting directly to Michael Charlton, the President/CEO, Kristina has worked with Icon to develop improved management systems for finance, payroll, office administration and Human Resources. While keeping an open channel of communication within and between departments, her efforts have resulted in a clear increase in the efficiency amongst all levels of the company.

Deena Moran - Icon Hospitality Staff

Deena Moran

Director of Marketing and Special Events / Information Technology
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An ICON Hospitality team member since 2011, Deena oversees the marketing, advertising and promotional activities for each of ICON’s properties and assists in the development of marketing strategies to meet the organization’s objectives.   She also assists in the management of Information and Technology for Icon and their Network Infrastructure as well as the maintence of all point of sale software and website maintenance.  She is also the owner of  Driftwood Florist since 2005, she has held the positions of Computer Network Administrator and Computer Technician at BCI (an FAA contractor), and Computer Systems Analyst/Executive Assistant at Raytheon. Her Outstanding Performance Award from Raytheon and numerous Letters of Commendation earned throughout her career are evidence of her commitment to service and excellence. Deena has taken a variety of continuing education courses in subjects ranging from public speaking to computer software and networking, giving her a breadth of knowledge that serves ICON well.

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Janet Wan

Human Resources Generalist
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Janet has over 10 years of experience in the Human Resource Department.  She graduated with an Associate’s Degree in General Studies, Liberal Arts and Science.  She received her SHRM Certification and was nominated for the “SHOWSTOPPER” Award for the entire property at Borgata.  What a great feeling to be recognized by your fellow coworkers.  When not working, Janet enjoys coaching autistic children for the South Jersey Field of Dreams Baseball Team. She absolutely adores volunteering and helping these children.  Janet reports directly to the Vice President of Operations and partners with the management team to streamline organizational objectives.

Christina Cortese

Director of Event Operations
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Bio coming soon.

Nicole Carney

Sales Associate / The Carriage House
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Nicole is the Sales Associate for Weddings and Events at The Carriage House. As a seasoned sales professional with a passion for customer service, Nicole has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results and exceeding expectations. She brings that expertise to the wedding and event industry, ensuring each couples’ special day is nothing short of magical!

 

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Nicole DiPietro

Sales Associate / Gourmet Italian Cuisine
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Nicole was born and raised in New Jersey.  She worked in restaurants and hospitality for 25 years now, starting as a busser to bartender to manager.  She loves connecting with guests on a level that makes them feel comfortable and like family when they are booking and event at Gourmet.

Nicole has always loved to make people happy using food, drinks, and smiles.   The Jersey Shore is her favorite place to be and spending time with her children and family is most important to her.

Renzo Vargus

Restaurant Manager – Gourmet
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Josh - Icon Hospitality Staff

Emma LaMarco

Restaurant Manager / Gourmet Italian Cuisine
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Coming Soon.

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Chef Ryan McCabe

Executive Chef / The Carriage House
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Ryan is a well-rounded Executive Chef with over 29 years of experience working in restaurants and resorts, both corporate and privately owned. He is a very self-driven individual with a fundamentally strong background in managing multiple operations of all sizes with a proven track record of success.  Ryan brings with him, a comprehensive knowledge of multiple types of cuisines and food service operations.  He studied at Johnson & Wales University, pursuing a food and beverage management degree.  He began his career working in fine dining restaurants in Cape May. He then moved on to working in some of Atlantic City’s Casinos including Harrahs and Ocean Casino where he would work his way up to a Multi-Outlet Chef overseeing different restaurants specializing in various different types of cuisines.  He then worked for Exit Zero Hospitality as their Corporate Chef in Cape May.  He most recently worked for Green Eggs Café as part of their Administrative Team that oversees all operations of their restaurants. We are very excited to have him at Icon Hospitality and as The Executive Chef for The Carriage House.

Josh - Icon Hospitality Staff

Monika Brown

Executive Pastry Sous Chef – Specializing in Specialty Cake Design & Decoration (Banquet & Wholesale)
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Monika was born, raised and educated in Poland where she earned her bachelor degree in Management and Marketing at West Pomeranian University of Technology. She moved to the United States in 2003, where she began her culinary adventure working at Chef Vola’s, James Beard’s award winning restaurant in Atlantic City.

While working as head baker at the restaurant, Monika started decorating cakes for her kids and family, and from what started as a hobby led to her dream career. She joined the ICON Team in 2018 as a cake decorator, and within 2 years she moved up her career path to Executive Pastry Sous Chef. Monika’s main role is to oversee the bakery’s production, create specialty cakes, and turn dream wedding cakes into reality.

Monika has over 10 years of experience in decorating and designing cakes, and is always looking to improve her skills and expand her pastry knowledge.