The Board of Directors for The Foundation at Hearst Castle is pleased to announce that Douglas Ayres , Partner in the Ayres Hotels Collection, which includes The Allegretto Vineyard Resort in Paso Robles, a property he developed and designed, has joined the Foundations Board of Directors. 

“Having Douglass join our board is very personal for me as we grew up together in Newport Beach and I have such admiration for his love of art and culture which compliments his business acumen,” says Mitch Massey, Executive Director for The Foundation at Hearst Castle.

‘I am very honored to be a board member of the Foundation at Hearst Castle”, says Douglas Ayres, Partner, Ayres Hotels Collection. “The memory is clear when I first visited the castle when I was 8 years old, It was awe-inspiring by the vision and building of what WR Hearst and Julia Morgan had accomplished,” adds Ayres. My love of art and architecture today was influenced over the many years of returning to tour the castle.  Allegretto Resort is my version of the influences of my travels and collections of art & artifacts weaving together a symphony of Joy,” adds Ayres.

Douglas  was instrumental in creating the updated European ambiance for which the Ayres Hotels collection is known. He brings a William Randolph Hearst feel to our foundation considering Douglas was taken with the beauty and agriculture of the Central Coast region and has populated the hotel with arts and artifacts from his many travels throughout South America, Asia, Europe and beyond. 

On a personal note, Douglas has competed in five transpacific sailboat ocean races. On land, he travels around the world often with his wife Michelle and he is an avid winemaker.

The Foundation at Hearst Castle’s Board consists of Christopher Burgart (Director), Gail Cayetano-Classic (Director), Victor Herrera (Director), Margaret Klevins (Director), Sam Mazzeo (Director), Bob Priola (Director), Dia Rianda (Director), Pilaar Terry (Director), Bill Thoma (Director), Nikki Wilmore (Director), Kristin Rasmussen (Treasurer), Evelyn Plemons (Secretary) Schuyler Hoversten (Vice President), Abraham Marquez (Board President) — View the full board here and learn more about the foundation here.