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When Jay Cooper was considering an offer to take on a managing director of development and construction role at Driftwood Capital in 2022, he wrote down what he was looking for in his next position. It was a moment of clarity for Cooper, who wrote:
To lead teams on a foundation of trust, to construct buildings that better society, filled with character established from the passion of the people who worked on them.
In his interview with ABQ, Cooper thought this note might be too cheesy to include. But in a career that has spanned the Atlantic Ocean, multiple countries, and a steady increase of responsibility and leadership roles, it’s a perfect summation of why Cooper has found so much professional success.
The latest illustration of that success is the June 2024 opening of the Element by Westin Melbourne Oceanfront Hotel, a 134-key hotel in Melbourne, Florida. It’s the first project Cooper saw through from start to finish at Driftwood. The hotel includes a restaurant, the Motion Fitness Center, and complimentary bike rentals for guests to ride up and down Florida’s Space Coast, a region named for its proximity to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
“It’s not the biggest hotel , but it was such a great demonstration of excellent execution,” Cooper says. “We finished on schedule, we were under budget, and we opened with a zero-punch list from Marriott, which is rare.”
Cooper hopes the hotel will be in the running for Marriott’s Opening of the Year awards, but he doesn’t have much time to look in his rearview mirror. The work ahead will dwarf the scope of the Melbourne project.
“I can’t do what I do without integrity at the top.”
Jay Cooper
The Cocoa Beach Westin, located in Cocoa Beach, Florida, will be a massive four-star resort with aesthetics inspired by NASA and the easygoing beach and surf lifestyle. The $400 million, 502-key high-end resort will sit on 16 acres of sandy beach and cover 820,000 square feet, including a convention center. Cooper calls it a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to test what he and his team are capable of.
“This has been nine years in the making and a passion project for Driftwood,” Cooper explains. “We’re breaking ground on September 10th [2024], so we’re about to see this come to fruition. You don’t often get the chance to build something of this caliber and quality in this kind of location. I’m excited the team is ready to spread their wings.”
On the same day as the groundbreaking, the Melbourne Element will open its doors fifteen minutes down the road. It’ll serve as a reminder that no matter how daunting a project may seem, Cooper and his team will bring it to life.
Coming to Driftwood has afforded Cooper the chance to take a larger hand in managing a team rather than concentrating on the construction. The managing director aims to create a culture of mutual trust, where his people know that he is looking out for them every step of the build.
“All these people are solving problems. They all have to work together, and the ultimate success of this team is what will breathe life into what that massive building becomes,” Cooper explains. “But that’s only part of it.”
Through Their Eyes
Jay Cooper says he wouldn’t be where he is without the support of his wife, Maria, and his two daughters, Emily and Olivia. The family loves traveling together when they’re able. They just returned from Machu Picchu. Along with the fascinating construction techniques on display, Cooper appreciated the new perspective he gained on the trip.
“I got to see these amazing structures through my daughters’ eyes,” Cooper says. “That made it even more special for me. Seeing the world with them, I hope, makes us all more aware of the world going on around us and opens us up to new experiences and new cultures.”
The other part is Cooper’s hope that he’s helping build future leaders. Mentorship is something the MD cares about deeply. He knows his industry tends to throw people into the deep end. While that sink-or-swim approach can sometimes be effective, it doesn’t breed trust or a positive team environment. Cooper wants to be the coach and mentor who unlocks careers and helps make people the professionals they hope to be.
This commitment to mentorship requires senior leadership that is on the same page. Cooper says cofounder, chairman, and CEO Carlos Rodriguez and his son, cofounder, president, and COO Carlos Jr., are the kind of leaders Cooper himself wants to work for.
“The Rodriguez family are all about hospitality with integrity,” Cooper explains. “They’re not just developers. Driftwood has a lending arm, an acquisition arm, a development arm, and a hospitality management arm. Carlos Sr. says this a lot, but it’s about winning with integrity. That’s Carlos. That’s the foundation of this place. I can’t do what I do without integrity at the top.”
KAST Construction is thrilled to partner with Jay Cooper and Driftwood Hospitality on the Westin Hotel Project in Cocoa Beach. We have collaborated with Jay on numerous hospitality projects across the state of Florida. Each of these projects has been successfully delivered as a result of Jay’s leadership and deep knowledge of what it takes to properly execute in the hotel development space. Jay’s success has come through his passion for putting together a world-class project team and by holding each team member accountable for their work. Jay also understands that teamwork and attention to the smallest detail is what it takes to set the stage for a successful project delivery. What I have personally noticed is that Jay stays “hands-on” through the design and construction phase of the project and holds himself personally accountable to his organization and to the project team. We could not be more excited that Jay has put his faith and confidence in KAST Construction, our great people, and our extensive hospitality experience.
Since 1984, the John Kenney Company has been a cornerstone of hospitality furnishings, representing top manufacturers for hotels, casinos, and cruise lines. Our curated selection of premium furniture is matched by our commitment to exceptional service. Our partnership with Jay Cooper at Driftwood Capital exemplifies this dedication. Jay’s expertise in hospitality development and unwavering professionalism elevates our hotel projects to new heights. His proactive approach aligns seamlessly with our mission to deliver excellence. As we continue shaping luxurious spaces across the hospitality landscape, our synergy with Jay and Driftwood Capital showcases the power of partnership in creating unparalleled guest experiences.
