True Staff
Use the scrollbar to scroll through the staff. Click one of the portraits to view bio info.
Todd Burke
Founder & CEO The True Collections
As a former Collegiate and Professional athlete, Todd has founded TrueAspen & TrueCabo and has returned to the world he loves of sports, fitness and the great outdoors. An entrepreneur since the early 1990’s Todd remains on the Board of Directors of a National Telecommunications Company, owns & operates Warbonnet Films Productions, and is the Founder and Chairman of a non-profit organization called The TALK Foundation, Teaching Awareness Loving Kids, through the Arts, Sports and Fitness. He has been a golf instructor, football and baseball player and coach, and a Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Racer. He thrives on being actively involved in the outdoors and spends any free time skiing, biking, hiking, doing yoga, and surfing. However, Todd’s true love remains trail riding on horseback with his son Cameron in Old Snowmass, Colorado!
Kevin Byford
TrueCabo / CO-Founder & Principle
A native of the United Kingdom, former Director with the Aspen Skiing Company and successful entrepreneur, Kevin has traveled Mexico’s coastline extensively for the past ten years. In that time he has become familiar with the beautiful desert landscapes of Baja and the tropical jungle of Mexico’s mainland coastal regions. His passion for the outdoors, particularly surfing and snowboarding in some of the worlds most beautiful locales, combined with his 20 years of experience in luxury resort management has led to the creation of TrueCabo, the fusion of luxury, wellness and adventure. After working in Aspen for over two decades Kevin understands what it takes to deliver a level of customer service that is both highly professional and intimate. Kevin splits his time between the mountains of Colorado and the beaches of Mexico with his wife, Alison, daughter Riley-Kate, and his new baby son, Kiron.
Jessica Burgett
Surf Instructor & Yoga Teacher
Aloha, I’m Jessica from Seaside Oregon. I have been surfing for ten awesome years! I moved to Mexico seven years ago to teach Surfing and Yoga with Las Olas Surf Safaris for Women. On my free time I have been traveling around the world surfing, Hawaii, California, Australia, India, Costa Rica and multiple coast in Mexico. I love the lifestyle that goes with the greatest pastime ever. Over the years Ive had the opportunity to work with world class surfing and Yoga retreats around the world. I believe Surfing is a cure for almost everything! I’m a confident swimmer and surfer with great interpersonal and teaching skills. I’m a good Communicator, problem solver, enthusiastic and motivated Surf Instructor. I have CPR, First Aid,Life Guard, and Open Water Rescue Certificates.
Kelly Loehr
Personal Trainer
Kelly Loehr has been living in Mexico for the past seven years where she was focusing on her true passions teaching and fitness. Recently she decided to combine her passions into where she now teaches people how to lead healthy balanced lifestyles. Kelly brings a unique perspective of training to her clients through the knowledge she has gained from her Masters degree in Education as well as her fitness certifications. Kelly is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She is also a certified Spinning and TRX instructor. Just recently, Kelly became an accredited Golf Fitness Instructor by the Titleist Golf Institute. She is able to design and facilitate specific fitness programs to help improve her client’s golf swing and overall game. Kelly trains people of all ages and abilities in a wide range of activities.
Caryl Leffel
Yoga & Pilates
Caryl Leffel is a certified Yoga and Pilates instructor, and Personal Fitness Trainer. Throughout her life yoga and Pilates have provided a foundation for other activities. In the 1980’s, she studied dance at Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma. Her program of study included Alexander Technique and Laban/Bartieneff Movement Analysis and Fundamentals. In 1998, Caryl began practicing flying trapeze and aerial acrobatics, and has facilitated experiential learning workshops with Sam Keen and Peter Gold at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, NY. In 2002 she began teaching yoga classes in Summit County Colorado. Two years later, Caryl moved to San Jose del Cabo and began teaching in the community in 2005. Her teaching style emphasizes practical physical alignment and principles of movement blended with Vinyasa krama – asana sequences that produce specific physical, mental and more subtle energetic effects. In order to expand her own practice and to continue bringing vitality and authenticity into her classes, Caryl recently began studying with Yogarupa Rod Stryker of Parayoga. She hopes to complete the 500-hour Parayoga Master Training program in 2009. She received the following certifications in 2008, “Yoga Marma: Principles of Teaching and Hands-on Adjustment” and “Yoga Sutra: Light on Self-Mastery”.
Luis Silva
Unique Adventures Guide
Born and raised in San Jose del Cabo, Mx., Luis now studies Ecotourism at the University of Baja California Sur. He is Certified as a Tour Guide, Outdoor Skills and Ethics by NOLS, Advanced Open Water Diver, CPR and First Aid, and with the Surf Association of Baja California Sur. With his love for the ocean and for all the natural surroundings, Luis will guide you to remote waterfalls, scuba dive with you along side the whales, release back to sea a newborn sea turtle, or surf with you at the “secret” breaks of the Sea of Cortez. His personality and love for his homeland will make any guests feel warm and filled with the natural joy of Cabo.
Lorena De Basterra
True Cabo Personal Host
Lorena a native of Acapulco, started out her hotel service career in 1990 in this city; after working in Cancun she moved to Los Cabos 14 years ago. She is a Clefs D`or Concierge since 1997 and thanks to her network contacts she has the knowledge to know the places that have the best quality such as restaurants, private transportation, spas, activities and all services that the Cabo area has to offer a guest or a visitor. Lorena is ready to help you plan your entire itinerary before your arrival in Cabo and to make sure you relax and have a wonderful vacation.
Amy Abbott
Special Events
Amy Abbott has been living in Cabo San Lucas the last seven years. A native of Seattle, she moved to Cabo with her husband and 3 children to be close to the beach and the many outdoor activities that Cabo has to offer. She specializes in event management from 2- 200 and is a founding member of Fiestas Los Cabos. Amy has also enjoyed working with her two favorite Cabo charities, Liga Mac and the San Jose Del Cabo Humane Society.
Tez Abbott
Personal Chef
Tez Abbott has been successfully involved in the food industry for over 20 years, as a restaurant owner, personal chef and event manager. No matter what the size of the event, Tez prides himself on working side-by-side with the client. Tez pays close attention to details and will guide you every step of the way. Tez offers a creative and healthy approach to Cabo gastronomy, and knows all of the best and most creative culinary venues. He also has a great working relationship with the organic farmers in the Cabo area
Leticia Montano “Lety”
Personal Host & Wedding Planner
Leticia has been resident of Los Cabos for 10 years and she is founder of Unique weddings and events, Lety has worked in tourist service for 20 years. She works with a group of skilled professionals and believes that Cabo market deserves an upscale quality services and a custom tailor vacation to meet every clients expectations. Love and enjoy beautiful beaches and outdoors as well as enjoy reading a good book.
Chef Casiano Reyes
Personal Chef
Chef Casiano Reyes, was born in Oaxaca, cradle of his inspiration , he has his first contact with the gastronomy world at the age of 14 years. Graduate in Food and Beverage, at the Panamericana School of Mexico City. In 1997 he become part of Ventanas del Paraiso team , he remain with them for 5 years obtaining great recognition. Because his long experience he was invited to Las Vegas for the opening of several restaurants, and then is when he decide that he wants to open his own business and build the idea of EL ITAKATE that was open on 2003. El Itakate, is a Catering Service that brings to private villas, apartments or event room, the best Casiano has to offer. Whether it´s a dinner for 2 or an event for more than a 100 people, El iTaKAtE will bring your catering experience to the next level. Two years after he created El Itakate he decided in 2005 that it was the perfect time to start working in a new project, he create the ultimate culinary trip throughout the varied regions of Mexico in what he calls his “Spontaneous Cuisine”, originated from my desire to not be constrained by ingredients on a menu that are not always at their prime, or are of a lesser quality. Thinking on a great culinary experience ?… Itakate and Casianos are the best options.
Daniel Sanchez
Executive Chef
Originally from a very small town near Guadalajara, Daniel’s passion for food began as a young boy under tutelage of his mother and grandmother. As a special treat, ask him to prepare the secret Mole sauce recipe that has been passed down in his family for generations! After graduating from University with a degree in Tourism and Hospitality, Daniel took a year off to travel the globe. He confesses that the opportunity to sample cuisine from so many different countries and cultures fired his passion for the culinary arts. His artfully presented creations reflect his Mexican heritage, yet have a unique international flavour.
India Wood
Yoga Instructor/Acupuncture/Healer
Dr India Wood began teaching Yoga in Santa Barbara during the mid-80’s long before it gained mainstream popularity. She has studied under a wide variety of teachers including: Shiva Rea, Gary Kraftsow, Patricia Walden, Tim Miller, Julie Gumstead, Adali, among others. In doing so she has developed her own style and is able to offer many styles of Yoga to her students. Her massage/healing is a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Craniosacral, Reiki,and intuitive work. In addition India has a doctorate in Chinese Medicine and is the founder of Baja Botanicals in a company focus on developing natural herbal remedies and applications that employ local desert flora.
Miriam Bello
Massage Therapist
Originally from Acapulco, Mexico, Miriam moved to Cabo San Lucas and started as a massage therapist about six years ago in the company Suzanne Morel. She is naturally talented and now she is also recognized for her deep tissue and therapeutic massages. Miriam also specializes in offering manicures and pedicures.
Suzanne Morel
Spa On Location Manager
Originally from Montreal, she first moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL where she run for over 30 years a 65 employees based Spa and a Florida License Beauty School before to establish herself in 2003 creating the only Spa on location in Los Cabos. Suzanne has been training and keeps retraining her own therapists with the highest standards to offer Los Cabos visitors an unforgettable experience in the privacy of their villa.
Elsa Dilasser
Spa Event Coordinator
Elsa born in France moved to Los Cabos in 2001 after studying International Business. Since her arrival she has been attending villas customers and for over 5 years assisting Suzanne Morel. In addition of being trilingual she specializes in recreating in your villa the entire Spa atmosphere, decorating with candles, flowers, stones, seashells and soothing music… Her main goal is to provide the ultimate in customer service!
Ricardo Cuevas
Longevity Massage Therapy
Ricardo specializes in an integrated approach to Orthopedic Massage Therapy, combining Myofascial Release, Intrinsic Joint Mobilization, and Active/Passive Isolated Stretching with traditional Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage, designed to treat chronic to acute soft tissue dysfunction. Ricardo is a 1992 graduate of the Hawaiian Islands School of Body Therapies, an intensive 1,000 hour Orthopedic Massage Therapy training program, located in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, and is a Licensed Massage Therapist in both Hawaii and New York.
Mimi Nahn
Surf Instructor & Guide
Born in Vietnam and raised in Montreal, Mimi has a very unique passion for life and has a history of being quite a daredevil! She is an experienced stunt woman in film, a student of Aikido, and an avid skateboard junkie. Mimi takes to the water and surfs as much as anyone in Cabo. Whether its learning to surf for the first time, or wanting to experience the local’s favorite spots, Mimi will surely be a favorite!
