About

Hornblower Group

We are Hornblower Group, the global leader in world-class experiences and transportation.

The brand heritage of our organization dates back nearly 100 years, with the establishment of Boston Harbor Cruises in Massachusetts in 1926; on the west coast of the United States, Hornblower Group began in 1980. Across our growing portfolio, we have a long-standing history of expertise and innovation and have continually redefined the marine hospitality industry. Today, our footprint spans 111 countries and territories, and 125 U.S. cities, with offerings including water-based experiences, land-based experiences, overnight cruise experiences, and ferry and transportation services and marine consulting & services.

Notably, we designed and built the first hybrid ferry in the United States which reduces fuel consumption by 75%; it is part of Alcatraz City Cruises. City Ferry operates the first zero-emission, all-electric passenger/vehicle ferry in the U.S.

Our Hornblower Group global headquarters is in San Francisco, California, with additional corporate offices in Orlando, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; and Ontario, Canada.

Core Leadership Team

Mike Flaskey
Mike Flaskey
Chief Executive Officer

Mike Flaskey

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Mike Flaskey is the CEO and member of the board of directors at Hornblower Group. An innovative and results-driven leader, Flaskey has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience in public and privately held companies.

Under Flaskey’s leadership, Diamond Resorts achieved unprecedented growth both organically and through strategic acquisitions, as the company acquired and integrated eleven companies since 2011 before its 2021 acquisition by Hilton Grand Vacations. Flaskey shifted the traditional timeshare marketing and sales model to a hospitality-infused model that includes a high-touch upstream engagement stance, thus providing owners and guests with a service-first, experiential approach while on vacation.

Flaskey developed and delivered strategic partnerships and relationships with numerous prominent sporting and entertainment professionals that have resulted in the creation and growth of Diamond’s innovative Events of a Lifetime® experiential franchise, the Diamond Concert Series™ and, most notably, the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, a network- televised, best-in-class LPGA Tournament of Champions/Celebrity golf tournament. The tournament has a strong philanthropic arm and – as of January 2021 – raised over $4 million for charitable causes.

Prior to Diamond Resorts, Flaskey held senior executive roles with Starwood Vacation Ownership and Fairfield Resorts (now Wyndham Vacation Ownership). He has a track record of recruiting and developing top talent and is a culture-conscious, performance-driven leader with a history of excellent results while always placing guest satisfaction first. Flaskey is an Independent Director and Board member at ClubCorp, the leading owner-operator of private golf and country clubs, city and stadium clubs in North America. He also serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), and previously served as an independent Board member of Soberlink, Inc. Flaskey holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Limestone University.

Adam C. Peakes
Adam C. Peakes
President

Adam C. Peakes

President

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With Hornblower’s overarching goal of becoming a Global Experiences and Transportation Leader, Peakes works in partnership with the division leaders to enable the strategic business plans across the organization.

Peakes comes to Hornblower from Merichem Corporation, a large private industrial services company, serving as the company CFO, and previously as CFO at Noble Corporation, one of the largest publicly traded offshore drilling contractors in the oil and gas industry. Prior to that, he had a nearly 20-year career as an Investment Banker, serving as a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, then as a Partner at the boutique investment banking firm of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Company. Peakes additionally spent time working in the sports industry, including playing professional basketball in Europe and later as a member of the Houston Rockets management team.

Peakes graduated from Rice University where he played Division I basketball and was a two-time Academic All-American, and the Southwest Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year.  He gained his MBA from Harvard Business School. Additionally, Peakes serves on the Board of Directors for Trecora Resources (NYSE: TREC) and Diamond Offshore Drilling (NYSE: DO), and he is Chairman of the Board of Advisors for Rice University Jones School of Management (Rice MBA).

Outside of work, Peakes enjoys spending time with his wife and four children as well as traveling, reading, and playing golf.  He currently resides in Houston, Texas.

Image of Michelle Mason Hornblower Group Chief People Officer
Michelle Mason
Chief People Officer

Michelle Mason

Chief People Officer

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In her capacity as Chief People Officer at Hornblower Group, Michelle Mason oversees the global human resources strategy to support Hornblower’s 5,000-plus employees worldwide. Her key areas of focus include recruitment and retention, compensation and benefits planning, and labor relations. Mason also plays a pivotal role in shaping and evolving workplace culture, overseeing training and development programs; employee engagement; and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Mason brings more than 25 years of experience in HR and strategic consulting services for international corporations. Prior to joining Hornblower Group, Mason’s decades-long career with Procter & Gamble took her all over the world working across multiple brands, businesses, and regions. More recently, Michelle’s work with Kinetic Consulting led to several extended engagements and executive CHRO appointments. Her specialty in relationship building and her record of delivering results has made her a trusted advisor and leader

Mason holds a bachelor’s degree in design and environmental analysis and a master’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.

Cyrus Kelley
Interim Chief Financial Officer

Cyrus Kelley

Chief Financial Officer

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As Interim Chief Financial Officer, Cyrus Kelley provides strategic financial direction, supports Hornblower Group’s growth initiatives, and drives value creation while overseeing all financial and accounting functions across the company.

A people-first finance leader, Kelley has more than two decades of experience delivering profitable sales growth for billion-dollar brands. Prior to Hornblower Group, Kelley was Vice President of Finance and Strategy at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews. Playing a pivotal role on the senior leadership team, Kelley partnered with the CEO to develop a comprehensive “North Star” strategy that significantly enhanced guest satisfaction and improved team member retention. Previously, Kelley held several leadership roles over his seventeen-year tenure at Darden Restaurants, where he drove strategy and analytics for key brands like LongHorn Steakhouse.

Kelley has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Liberty University.

Stewart Alpert
Stewart Alpert
Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Technology Officer

Stewart Alpert

Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Technology Officer

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Currently serving as Hornblower’s Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Stewart Alpert has extensive experience and expertise at the nexus of technology and business. Well versed in security, engineering, and IT, he’s held leadership roles in top companies such as VMware and Walmart Labs as well as several start-ups. Alpert holds a master’s degree in software engineering, and a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Mitch Randall
General Counsel

Mitch Randall

General Counsel

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Mitch Randall is the General Counsel of Hornblower Group. He is responsible for Hornblower’s legal matters, including litigation, mergers and acquisitions, human resources, real estate and permitting, commercial contract negotiations, finance, risk management, corporate governance, and management of external counsel.

Randall has more than 20 years of legal experience in hospitality, energy, project development, regulatory, finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Randall was previously the President and Chief Legal Officer of PureGen Power, a clean power company focused on the acquisition, improvement, and operation of utility scale solar projects. Randall’s previous roles also include serving as President of Recurrent Energy, one of North America’s largest solar project developers, and he was a partner with Morrison & Foerster LLP, where he represented energy, real estate, development, health care and technology companies in complex transactional, permitting and regulatory matters.

Randall received a JD from University of California’s Hastings College of the Law and a BS from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Phil Anzai
Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development

Phil Anzai

Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development

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A graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business (MBA) and the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business (BS Finance), Phil Anzai is an experienced travel and hospitality professional specializing in customer experience, service operations, and strategy. From his time consulting with McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, and Hitachi Consulting, he has wide industry knowledge and practice across airlines, hotels, casinos, airports, OTAs, transportation companies, and experience operators. Prior to consulting, Anzai started his career with The Walt Disney Company and Six Flags.

Michael K. Burke
COO Concessions & Park Services

Michael K. Burke

COO, Concessions & Park Services

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As COO, Concessions and Park Services, Michael K. Burke oversees Alcatraz City Cruises and Statue City Cruises operations. In this position, Burke is responsible for relationships with the National Park Service, U.S. Coast Guard, NYC Parks & Recreation, Port of San Francisco, and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, along with other government agencies and not- for-profit partners.

Prior to his current position, Burke served as CFO at BillyBey Ferry Company from 2005 to 2008. Burke was also President and CEO at Circle Line-Statue of Liberty Ferry in 2000 and 2001, where he served as its first non-owner chief executive.

Burke is an active Board and Committee Member of NYC & Company, the Friends of Governors Island, and various other organizations. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100 GRT Captain License and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mory DiMaurizio
COO, City Cruises Canada

Mory DiMaurizio

COO, City Cruises Canada

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Mory DiMaurizio joined Hornblower Canada in 2014. At the helm of Canada’s most iconic tourist attraction, DiMaurizio oversees the safe passage of over 2.4 million visitors per year. He is responsible for ensuring that his highly skilled team is focused on guest services, safety and environmental goals and objectives. As key liaison with the Niagara Parks Commission, an operational enterprise agency for the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, DiMaurizio ensures compliance with all financial and operating agreements.

With 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, DiMaurizio sits on the Board of Directors for Niagara Falls Tourism as Treasurer and the Tourism Partnership of Niagara.

Prior to joining Hornblower, DiMaurizio was General Manager for Medieval Times Entertainment, overseeing the Toronto operations at the Canadian National Exhibition from 2005 to 2013. DiMaurizio was also General Manager for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, participating in casino development and operations and leading 14 successful casino startup operations within the Canadian gaming industry from 1996 to 2005.

DiMaurizio is a Certified Engineering Technologist (OACETT), is a graduate of Electrical Engineering with a double minor in Computers and Electronics from Niagara College.

Roisin O’Sullivan
Global Managing Director, Walks & Devour

Roisin O’Sullivan

Global Managing Director, Walks & Devour

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Bio coming soon.

Dan Russell Co-COO, City Cruises U.S
Dan Russell
Co-COO, City Cruises U.S.

Dan Russell

Co-COO, City Cruises U.S.

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Dan Russell currently serves as Co-Chief Operating Officer of City Cruises, overseeing all areas of the business in sixteen ports across the U.S. as well as two ports in the U.K.

Russell has been a Crew member of City Cruises for over 20 years and has led teams in operations, sales and marketing, product development, and general management.

Russell holds a BBA from Notre Dame and is a certified public accountant. He works out of the Chicago port and resides in the suburbs with his wife and two teenage children.

Christine Metivier Co-COO, City Cruises U.S
Christine Metivier
Co-COO, City Cruises U.S.

Christine Metivier

Co-COO, City Cruises U.S.

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Christine Metivier currently serves as Co-Chief Operating Officer of City Cruises, overseeing all areas of the business in sixteen ports across the U.S. as well as two ports in the U.K.

Metivier has over two decades of sales and operations experience. She began her career at City Cruises’ Boston port before transferring to the New York City port. Metivier held various positions throughout the organization, including a position in Event Management, Sales Director, General Manager, and Regional Vice President.

Metivier received her Bachelor of Science degree from UMASS Amherst and works out of the New York City office. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and labradoodle.

Nasi Peretz
President & Chief Technology Officer, Anchor Operating System

Nasi Peretz

President & Chief Technology Officer, Anchor Operating System

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Nasi Peretz is a seasoned technology executive currently serving as the President and Chief Technology Officer at Anchor, a division of City Experiences, since January 2023. He has been instrumental in leading technological advancements within the organization, focusing on the development of the Anchor Operating System, which aims to enhance operational efficiencies in the cruise and experiences sector.

A graduate of the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering in Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Peretz previously co-created westsiderentals.com, which was sold to apartments.com, and ticketmob.com, which was acquired by Cvent and later Ticketmaster/LiveNation.

History of the Company

Our story officially begins in 1980 when Hornblower Tours was purchased by Terry MacRae in Berkeley, California. However, the history of brands in our portfolio goes back nearly 100 years:
  • 1926 – Boston Harbor Cruises is founded in Boston, Massachusetts
  • 1951 – Gananoque Boat Lines is founded in Gananoque, Ontario, Canada
  • 1974 – Potomac Riverboat Cruises is founded in Alexandria, Virginia
  • 1978 – Spirit Cruises is founded in Norfolk, Virginia
  • 1980 – Hornblower Tours purchased by Terry MacRae in Berkeley, California
  • 1980 – 1987 – The company is known as Hornblower Party Yachts
  • 1984 – The company moves its headquarters to San Francisco, California
  • 1986 – City Cruises is founded in London, England
  • 1987 – 1993 – The company is known as Hornblower Dining Yachts
  • 1987 – Mariposa Cruises is founded in Toronto, Canada
  • 1991 – Odyssey Cruises is founded in Chicago, Illinois
  • 1993 – 2020 – The company is known as Hornblower Cruises & Events
  • 1993 – The company spins off Hornblower Marine Services (HMS), a marine management company focused on the operation of casino boats and ferries. HMS Ferries, Inc. expands to government contracting work and the development of high-speed ferry systems.
  • 1996 – City Cruises develops the first new purpose-built sightseeing boat on the River Thames in London
  • 1996 – Seadog is founded in Chicago, Illinois
  • 1997 – The company acquires Lake Tahoe Cruises, Inc. and adds ferry services across Lake Tahoe
  • 1998 – Mystic Blue Cruises is founded in Chicago, Illinois
  • 2004 – Hornblower Group acquires Adventures at Sea and becomes the largest private yacht fleet in Southern California
  • 2006 – Alcatraz Cruises, a Hornblower subsidiary, is awarded National Park Commission contract for Alcatraz Island in San Francisco
  • 2007 – Entertainment Cruises acquires Baltimore Harbor Cruises
  • 2008 – Hornblower Group awarded National Park Service contract for Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Immigration Museum
  • 2009 – Seaward Services is founded in New Albany, Indiana
  • 2009 – Alcatraz Cruises designed and built the first hybrid ferry in the United States which reduces fuel consumption by 75%
  • 2011 – Cruising Excursions is founded in London, England
  • 2014 – Niagara Cruises begins tours in Niagara Gorge with two state-of-the-art catamarans
  • 2015 – Hornblower Group awarded the NYC Ferry contract by the New York City Economic Development Corporation
  • 2016 – Entertainment Cruises is formed with the merger of Odyssey Cruises and Spirit Cruises
  • 2016 – Entertainment Cruises acquires Potomac Riverboat Company
  • 2017 – NYC Ferry by Hornblower begins operations on May 1, 2017
  • 2018 – Entertainment Cruises acquires Mariposa Cruises
  • 2019 – The Gee’s Bend Ferry operates the first zero-emission, all-electric passenger/vehicle ferry in the U.S.
  • 2019 – Hornblower Group acquires Entertainment Cruises, Boston Harbor Cruises, Gananoque Boat Lines, and UK-based City Cruises under the Cruises & Events division
  • 2020 – The company is known as Hornblower Group, with Cruises & Events becoming one of the company’s four divisions
  • 2020 – HMS Ferries Inc. named operator of Puerto Rico Ferry Service
  • 2021 – In April 2021, Hornblower Cruises & Events, City Cruises, and HMS Ferries, Inc. rebrand as one master company, City Experiences. City Cruises and City Ferry are named sub-brands of the division
  • 2021 – As part of the company’s expansion of its diverse portfolio, Hornblower Group acquired Walks Tours, offering unique and memorable walking tours across Europe and North America. Later in 2021, Devour Tours, which provides award-winning food and wine experiences in major cities across Europe and North America, was also acquired to expand Hornblower Group’s land- based experience offerings.