The right food and beverage leader can turn a beautiful waterfront property into a destination worth driving across the bay for. That's the bet SkyBeach Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida is making with the appointment of hospitality veteran Erich Michael as its new director of food and beverage.
Michael brings nearly 30 years of hospitality leadership experience to the 113-room beachfront hotel on the southern tip of St. Pete. In the role, he'll oversee all catering, culinary and beverage operations across the resort while expanding its food and beverage programming through seasonal events, waterfront activations and community partnerships.
What Erich Michael Will Oversee at SkyBeach Resort
Michael steps in as the waterfront property continues to sharpen its dining identity. His purview spans the resort's marquee venues:
- LUMA – the new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant overlooking the marina.
- SkyBar + Grille – a two-story beachfront bar and restaurant known for creative cocktails and sweeping views of Tampa Bay and the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
- All catering operations – including events at the newly renovated 6,260-square-foot SkyBeach Event Center.
His stated goal: further establish SkyBeach as one of the region's premier waterfront dining destinations by enhancing culinary offerings while deepening ties to the local community.
A Track Record Built on Waterfront and Luxury Operations
Michael's résumé spans restaurants, resorts and multi-unit food and beverage operations. Most recently, he served as senior food and beverage operations manager for Manthey Hospitality, overseeing food and beverage for the company's dining cruises and waterfront venues across the Tampa Bay region — experience that maps neatly onto SkyBeach's coastal, activation-driven model.
Before that, he was assistant director of food and beverage at The Ritz-Carlton and held various executive leadership and ownership roles overseeing high-volume restaurant operations. Notably, Michael counts mentoring hospitality professionals — and watching former team members rise into industry leaders — among his proudest accomplishments.
"We're thrilled to welcome Erich to the SkyBeach team," said Allie Singer, vice president of commercial strategy and asset management at Willner Realty & Development Co. (WRDC), owner of SkyBeach Resort. "His impressive hospitality background, operational expertise and passion for developing talented teams make him the ideal leader to elevate our food and beverage program while creating memorable dining experiences for both our resort guests and the local community."
"For me, great hospitality starts with a passionate team and a commitment to creating memorable guest experiences," said Michael. "I'm looking forward to collaborating with the talented team at SkyBeach Resort to build on its strong foundation and continue growing its reputation as one of the area's premier waterfront dining destinations."
A Reimagined Gulf Coast Landmark
SkyBeach Resort sits on a historic 18-acre property originally built in the 1950s and long cherished as a Gulf Coast retreat. Willner Realty & Development Co. purchased the property in 2022, and after a major renovation it reopened as SkyBeach Resort in July 2024 — positioned as a "love letter to St. Pete" that blends Old Florida charm with modern amenities.
Beyond dining, the resort's amenities include SouthSide Sports (with pickleball, beach volleyball and tennis courts), a state-of-the-art marina, the beachfront Azibi Stage for live performances, and Paradeco Coffee Roasters — the second location of the beloved downtown St. Petersburg café.
Why It Matters
For hospitality operators, this appointment is a case study in how resorts are treating food and beverage as a growth engine rather than an amenity. SkyBeach isn't just filling a seat — it's hiring someone whose mandate explicitly includes seasonal events, waterfront activations and community partnerships. That's the modern F&B playbook: convert dining venues into revenue-driving destinations that pull in locals, not only overnight guests.
The choice of a leader with waterfront-venue and dining-cruise experience signals intent. Operators watching this market should note the emphasis on team development and repeat local traffic — two of the most durable levers for margin in a seasonal resort setting. If your property leans on transient guest spend alone, the SkyBeach approach is a reminder that programming and community loyalty can smooth the shoulder seasons.
The takeaway for foodservice executives and hospitality leaders: pair a strong physical asset with a leader who can build teams and events, and F&B becomes a differentiator, not a cost center.
The Bottom Line
With Michael at the helm of LUMA, SkyBar + Grille and catering, SkyBeach Resort is doubling down on its ambition to be a top waterfront dining destination on Florida's Gulf Coast. Learn more at skybeach-resort.com.
For more leadership moves shaping the industry, see our coverage of Jonathan Headley's vision at Ocean Prime Las Vegas and the latest leadership changes at The Rebel Room and The Ava Hotel.
Know a hospitality leader making moves worth watching? Tell us in the comments — and share how your team is turning F&B into a destination draw.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
