RALPH GRIPPO is taking the reins of both The Irvine Company’s resort division and the extraordinary destination resort the company is creating overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Southern California’s Newport Coast®.

Grippo, 43, formerly a senior executive at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company who has managed luxury resorts from California to China, has been named president of The Irvine Company Resort Properties and managing director of The Resort at Pelican Hill™.

The Resort at Pelican Hill is a masterpiece in the making, blending the principles of Italy’s most renowned Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio, with California comfort and style. The resort will open in two phases:  Pelican Hill Golf Club®, with 36 holes of Tom Fazio-designed golf and signature Pelican Grill restaurant, in fall 2007 all other components- from the bungalow and villa accommodations to the function space and spa- in fall 2008.

“Detail by detail, The Resort at Pelican Hill will set a new standard for style, comfort and beauty,” said Clarence Barker, executive vice president at The Irvine Company. “Ralph is the right person to help us deliver on that promise. He has operated some of the finest hotels in the world with great skill, creativity and passion. He understands the singular vision we have for this destination resort, and what will be involved in making it a reality.”

Grippo has worked in the luxury resort industry for more than two decades, the past 17 years with The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company. Most recently, he was Ritz-Carlton’s vice president and area general manager for China responsible not only for seven luxury hotels with approximately 2,600 rooms but also serving as general manager of the company’s China flagship, The Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai.

Previously, Grippo was vice president and area general manager at The Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, where he was responsible for the company’s hotels in Southern California and Hawaii.