Though Rik began his career with Hyatt Hotels in Seattle in 1980, holding management positions of increasing responsibility at Hyatt hotels in California, Minneapolis and Chicago, he is no stranger to the Virgin Islands. He, his wife and their two sons first moved to St. Thomas in 1995, when Rik became General Manager of Sugar Bay Resort. During his 11 year tenure in the islands, Rik has held General Manager positions in the Virgin Islands and in Puerto Rico and elected to stay in St. Thomas to raise his sons. Rik then formed his own successful hospitality consulting company, specializing in hotel, spa and resort marketing and development for local and stateside clients.

Throughout his residency in the territory, Rik has taken an active role in community and industry organizations.

He is currently a board member of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce, where he chairs the Tourism Committee and the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association.

Rik is the head of the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association Communications Committee. Rik brings a history of positive relationships with local government, sales and marketing acumen, and proven operational expertise to his new duties. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Wisconsin.

"Given Caneel Bay's close relationship with the National Park Service, we felt it critical to appoint an experienced leader who has strong community ties and a successful track record managing luxury resorts in the Caribbean," stated John Scott, President & CEO of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. "Rik's commitment to his community reflects Rosewood's own sensitivity to each of our locations traditions, history and topography. We welcome Rik and his family to ours."

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts manages properties worldwide including The Mansion on Turtle Creek and Hotel Crescent Court in Dallas, The Carlyle in New York, Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos, Mexico, Hotel Seiyo Ginza in Tokyo, Japan, The Dharmawangsa in Jakarta, Indonesia, and a triumvirate of world-class Caribbean properties -- Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, Caneel Bay on St. John and Jumby Bay on Antigua.