ISM is the Five Star Spa Management firm.  With a Spa Academy and certification programs, our properties and people consistently deliver optimal spa experiences.  ISM is the Spa Management firm for Marriott’s Autograph, Kessler Collection of Hotels as well as multiple resort properties throughout the Americas.

Ilana Craig Alberico –Founding Partner

For nearly a decade, Ilana Alberico has used her talent and passions to conceptualize, develop and manage luxury spa, health and wellness properties throughout North America. Before founding ISM, Alberico served as Spa Director for Noble House Hotels and Resorts, awarded ―Readers’ Choice, Best Resort Spa‖ in the United States and Canada by CondeNast Johansensand capturing a spot on the Great Hotels ranking of Travel + Leisure.

Ilana has used her collective professional expertise to bring Innovative Spa Management properties to an unsurpassed level offunctional spa design, profitable business strategies, cutting edge treatment and service concepts, while expertly integrating the Client’s vision with operative excellence and optimal Guest experience.In addition to leading ISM toward becoming one of the top Spa Management companies in the world, she is a licensed massage therapist, developer of master level spa management curriculum, much sought after speaker and contributor to some of the industry’s most respected publications.She is responsible for continuing to create 5 Star Spa Facilities for ISM properties, while also assisting the Hospitality Industry achieve the highest level of service and utilization possible. Ilana lives with her husband in Asheville, NC.

Christina Stratton –Founding Partner

Prior to founding Innovative Spa Management, Christina Stratton utilized her vast background and knowledge in marketing and brand development by creating multiple exclusive, full product lines in the Spa, Skin and Body care, as well as the Entertainment Industry. Her product concepts have been featured in the commercial media such as Warner Brothers, Sony Signatures, Columbia Tri Star and Time Warner.

After partnering with Ilana Alberico and answering the spa industry’s need for a 5 Star Spa Management Company, Stratton parlayed her broad business successes and extraordinary artistic talents by committing to create projects with world-class branding standards and conceptual development, integrated internal and external marketing and effective public relation campaigns and collateral, exquisitely executed architectural and interior design of luxury resort spas throughout the United States and the Caribbean. She is responsible for the creative vision of ISM and lives in South Asheville with her daughter and husband.

John Atwood, Executive Vice President of Business Development

Mr. Atwood has been deeply involved with full-service spa and hospitality for over 10 years. Prior to joining Innovative Spa Management, Mr. Atwood served in key roles with leading industry companies. He was the first Director of Sales at Universal Companies during its emergence as the leading provider of spa equipment and supplies. During his time at Universal, he executed the company’s first contract with Avendra and personally oversaw the significant growth that came from it. He also assisted with the equipment selection and opening of many spas throughout the Americas including branded spas within Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, John Q. Hammonds properties and many independent luxury properties including The Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York.

Mr. Atwood also served as Sr. Vice President, Business Development at WTS International as they continued their role as the largest spa operator in North America. During his tenure at WTS, he worked with developers and owners of new properties under brands that included Trump, Harrah’s, John Q. Hammonds, and many independent resort and boutique properties.

Most recently he served as the Regional VP and Trainer for Ready Care Industries who is a leading company in custom in-room amenities and retail products. During his tenure at Ready Care he managed key prestige properties including Pinehurst, Grove Park Inn, The Greenbrier, Colonial Williamsburg, The Cloisters at Sea Island, PCH Hotels, and Kingsmill Resort.

Prior to his involvement in the spa and hospitality industry he also participated in the successful creation of two young companies in the surgical and safety markets. Mr. Atwood is a native of Idaho and attended Utah State University. He, his wife, and two daughters live, love, work, and play in Bristol, Virginia.

Ellen L. McGinnis –Advisory Board Member

Combining decades of diverse opportunities in the spa industry, Ellen McGinnis’s expertise compliments a wonderfully integrated team of professionals who combine talent with industry knowledge, real operational experience, genuine passion and commitment.

McGinnis has been on the forefront of the spa and wellness evolution and is responsible for conceptualizing and developing a revenue maximization and resource utilization system, Power Booking‖ which is the preferred forecasting, staff utilization and yield management application for today’s Resort or luxury Day Spa. She has served on numerous Executive Committees and is an honored Presenter and Educator at Hospitality and Spa conferences worldwide.

Prior to joining ISM, McGinnis used her comprehensive experience on countless projects, to assist leading consultant and management firms into the Resort Spa market and served as Director of Consulting for one of the leading full-service supply, procurement, educational and project management organizations in the industry today. She is responsible to contribute to theoverall mission and collective vision of Innovative Spa Management’s entire team.

Douglas Stratton –Chief Architectural Designer

For over a decade Douglas Stratton used his unparalleled talent to design lighting sets in Hollywood, CA for major feature films, commercials and music videos for the world’s most exclusive celebrities. Stratton has now transitioned that experience by joining the Innovative Spa Management Executive Team and creates spas that truly inspire clients and guests alike. His inherent understanding of mood, ambiance and character will seamlessly transition any space into an elegant atmosphere of warmth, serenity and escapism. With an uncanny attention to detail, Stratton’s designs provide both highly functional and esthetic spaces, maximizing every inch and carefully balancing revenue and non-revenue generating areas. Stratton is responsible to consistently provide a meticulous plan set, including exceptionally detailed elevations, space planning, custom cabinetry and award worthy furniture designs.