PAUL LEE, COO

PAUL LEE, COO

Paul has known Zak for 30 years, collaborating last in 2017 with Harmony Project Zambia. Mr. Lee graduated with honors from Washington State University with a B.A. in Hotel and Restaurant in 1984. Paul possesses extensive operational and strategic management experience in a luxury resort, mid-market to large scale city hotels, and start-ups for multiple large restaurant franchises. He was most recently with Accor Hotels, Raffles Hainan China, Millennial Hotel NYC, and opened Sangha by Octave, a wellness retreat in China.

Previously he was Senior Vice President and Owners' Representative for S.M. Hotels and Conventions Corp, a major Philippine mixed-use developer, leading start-up and efficient operations of existing and pipeline mid-market properties. 

Earlier, as Regional Director of Operations for Banyan Tree Resorts China, he operated 6 resorts and opened 2 of the planned 20 projects in pre-development. He was Chief Operating Officer for the multi-award-winning Six Senses Resorts & Spas from 2002 to 2005. Paul also served as Vice President of Operations with Raffles International. 

  • Additionally, Paul was the G.M. of Hospitality opening Paulaner Brauhaus, a German Brewery on-site restaurant brewery concept in Asia. As Regional Development Manager Hard Rock Cafe Asia-Pacific, he brought HRC to Asia. In this capacity, he was in charge of development, bringing properties from infancy to fruition. Within this master franchise, Paul successfully opened Hard Rock Cafes in Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, where he improved investment payback from 5 years to 6 months. He also laid the groundwork for Hard Rock Cafes in Jakarta, Bali, Manila, and Hong Kong.

  • Paul also spearheaded the introduction of Planet Hollywood into Asia via another master franchisee, with openings in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Paul was a co-founder and V.P. Operations for Star East Cafe (an Asian-styled concept similar to Planet Hollywood) responsible for start-up operations, marketing, administration, direction, and development opening franchise units in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

  • Earlier, he was the Regional General Manager for Intercontinental Hotel Group in the Philippines and Hangzhou, China.