Benjamin Elgrably, General Manager
Originally from Nice France, Benjamin has been in the USA for over 20 years. In what was supposed to be a back pack adventure for 3 months in 1997 became a great journey in the Land of Opportunity.
Los Angeles California was my home for the first 13 years of my American life where Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts taught me pretty much everything about hospitality. What a great experience!
After meeting Jamie back in 2005, who’s now my lovely wife, we moved to Chicago Illinois in 2010 for a little bit over 2 years to experience some of the best “downtown city living”. We welcome our first child, Noah in 2011 then we decided to move back West and take on the “mountain living” of Park City Utah in 2012 maybe the best experience, so far, of my life where we welcome our second child, Chloe in 2013.
Then we finally decided to settle in closer to Jamie’s family (of course!) in which Grand Rapids Michigan became our home since October 2015. I had the great opportunity to continue my career in hospitality with Bay Pointe Inn since then and I’m looking forward to many more years to come.
Fun Fact: I’m a certified tennis instructor (in France) and when in Los Angeles, Jane Carrey (yes Jim Carrey’s daughter) was my student! She was around 9 or 10 year old then.
Todd Van Wieren, Certified Executive Chef
Chef Todd has spent his life in the S.W. Michigan area, originally from Saugatuck and currently lives in Glenn. Todd has 43 years in the foodservice industry starting out as a dishwasher and working his way up to a Certified Executive Chef (CEC). Chef Todd has experience in resort area restaurants and college dining but most of his career has focused on Hotels and Conference Centers. Chef Todd earned his Certified Executive Chef certification from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) in 1998. Chef Todd has over 20 ACF medals from competing in professional culinary competitions including being named Chapter Chef of The Year in 2004 for the Greater Grand Rapids chapter of the ACF. One of Chef Todd’s highlights in his career was being asked to cook for President Obama. Chef Todd and his wife Lisa love to travel and spend time with their Grand Children.
Mariesa Colavincenzo, Catering Sales Manager
Mariesa has worked at Bay Pointe Inn since spring of 2008 and is proud to have been part of the growth and development here. She is originally from Plainwell, MI and went to Michigan State University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Business with a Dance Specialization. She and her husband R.J. now reside on Gun Lake with their son Maximo and daughter Grace.
She enjoys traveling, eating good food, being outdoors hiking or snowshoeing, going to yoga and Zumba classes and just living on the lake. She has been doing event planning and sales for over 15 years now and truly enjoys meeting new people and making their dreams happen, whether it be for an unforgettable wedding or an extraordinary retreat or meeting. She looks forward to working with you!
Fun Fact: Mariesa is a certified Advanced PADI Scubadiver
Jessica Wilson, Catering Sales Coordinator
Jessica is originally from California, but moved to Hastings, MI in 2000 with her family. She grew up traveling every weekend for Barrel Racing competitions throughout Michigan and loved spending time with her horses and family. In 2011, she moved to Grand Rapids, MI where she graduated from Davenport University with her Bachelor’s in Business Administration. After graduation, Jessica moved to Nashville, TN and grew her career in Hospitality Food & Beverage Management at Gaylord Opryland Resort. In 2018, her and her husband, Jacob, decided to be closer to family and settled down in the cute little town of Plainwell, MI.
After two more years in Hospitality Food & Beverage Management at Greenleaf Hospitality in Kalamazoo, Jessica decided to side step her career into Sales Coordinating at Bay Pointe. Her favorite part of being a coordinator is working with Brides and other clients to create a special day they will never forget. In her spare time, Jessica loves to travel and go on adventures with her husband and her young son.
Ashley Nadeau, Catering Sales Manager
Ashley grew up in Richland, Michigan and currently lives in Kentwood with her husband Ryan and children Dylan and Ellie Mae. She has a Bachelor of Art’s degree from Hanover College.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to new places, going to the beaches on Lake Michigan and being creative. She also enjoys graphic design, re-purposing old furniture and decorating. Whether you are planning a business meeting, retreat, social function or wedding Ashley looks forward to helping you make your vision a reality.
Fun Fact: Ashley grew up with horses and has done dressage, western, English and hunter jumping!
Juno Hickman, Catering Sales Coordinator
Juno is originally from Lansing, Michigan and currently resides in Grand Rapids. She worked in the hospitality and event industry throughout college, and graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and General Business.
When she’s not busy planning weddings and social events here at Bay Pointe Inn, she enjoys traveling, reading novels, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
Fun Fact: Juno has a black belt in Taekwondo!