Royal Oak Purchasing (ROP) was established in 1984 as the procurement arm for Landmark Hotels Group, a San Francisco Bay Area-based hotel development company. From 1984–1998, ROP purchased all the furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) and hotel operating supplies and equipment (OS&E) for fourteen Embassy Suites Hotels, located throughout California, Texas, Florida, and Hawaii. These combined purchases amounted to close to $40 million.

In 1990–1992, ROP procured $12 million of FF&E and OS&E  for the Kea Lani Hotel, a 425 all-suite luxury five-star resort in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii.  This became Landmark Hotels Group signature hotel and is now known as the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel, continuing its luxury reputation today. 

In 1998, the ownership of Landmark Hotel Group sold all its hotel properties and subsidiaries, including Royal Oak Purchasing. At that time, I took initiative to obtain the purchasing company, and re-established ROP as an independent, agent-only, purchasing company.  

The following year, I was instrumental in the creation of the International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), an organization whose goals are to raise the level of professionalism within the hospitality purchasing industry, set consistent industry wide standards, foster education and professional development, and promote high ethical values.  In addition, each year we host a charity reception that, since its inception, has risen over $2 million to benefit Hollywood Heart, a summer camp that addresses the social and recreational needs of children affected by AIDS and HIV. I have served on the Board of Directors as its Treasurer since 2005.

Since 1998, ROP has maintained a business plan as a one-person firm, engaging in only a few projects at a time so as to provide a high level of attention, expertise and responsiveness to each and every client. Our primary duties include purchasing FF & E for hotels and restaurants, though we have experience in a variety of locations, including Country Clubs and private residences.  We consider ourselves highly experienced and professional, and have numerous connections with worldwide manufacturers.  As evident in our project list and references, we have built successful working relationships with various hotel clients such as Kimpton Hotel Group and Joie De Vivre Hospitality, and have collaborated with accomplished design firms and designers including EDG, Cheryl Rowley Design, Shopworks Design, Gino Castano, and Jill Cole.