Relax & Company

At Relax & Company, people are our priority. Because every happy family, every thriving business, and every positive experience has the right blend of people behind the scenes.

Our people are the Company behind Relax & Co. Together, they bring the talent, passion, service, and craftsmanship that translates into memorable vacations and better living for the Sunapee area’s families, guests, and friends.

MEET THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

James Bruss - Chief Entrepreneurial Officer

Malarie Starcher - President - SHRM-CP, SPHR, and BCC

Brenda Snow - Director of Rental & Housekeeping Operations

Michaela Bevilacqua - Human Resources Business Partner

Emma Pederson - HR Coordinator

Jesse Bouranis - Client Relationship Manager

Nichole Myers - Client Relationship Manager

Derek Castaño - Client Relationship Manager

Derek brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Client Relationship Manager at Relax and Company. With a diverse background in healthcare management and over 20 years of involvement in his family’s cleaning business, Derek is well-equipped to understand and address the needs of clients. His professional journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for building strong relationships. Throughout his career, Derek has demonstrated a knack for fostering meaningful connections and delivering exceptional results, successfully managing client accounts with efficiency and care. In his role, Derek leverages his deep understanding of project management to provide tailored solutions, streamlining processes, optimizing workflows, and implementing innovative strategies to help clients achieve their goals. Known for his personable nature and genuine interest in the well-being of others, Derek approaches each client interaction with open-mindedness and integrity, building lasting partnerships based on trust and mutual respect. Passionate about driving positive change, Derek believes in the power of collaboration and innovation to enhance client relationships and outcomes. His forward-thinking mindset and strategic approach guide clients towards a future of success and sustainability. Outside of work, Derek enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new hiking trails, and staying active. He values quality time with family and friends, cherishing moments of connection and laughter. Derek’s blend of healthcare expertise, client-centric approach, and genuine warmth make him an invaluable asset to the Relax and Company team, reflecting the core values of the company and driving continued growth and success in the dynamic field of property management.

Meghan Smith - Client Relationship Manager

Meghan joined Relax & Co in the fall of 2022 as the manager of the cleaning division. This would be her second time with the company after leaving for a couple of short years to expand her customer service skills by working in healthcare. She grew up in the town of Sunapee and has journeyed through various divisions within our incredible company. Currently, she thrives in the dynamic realm of the sales team, specializing in fostering meaningful customer relationships. Her diverse background encompasses roles in customer service and healthcare, bringing a unique perspective to her current position. As a proud mom of two wonderful girls, family is her anchor, and every moment spent with them is a treasure. Beyond the professional sphere, she is an avid animal lover, finding joy in the company of her furry friends. During her free time, you’ll often find her immersed in the warmth of friendship and family bonds.

“Relax & Co. is a unique company that values relationships with both their customers and employees. Growing with the company has been a great journey and I can not wait to see what the future holds for us here.”

Meredith Moran - Concierge Relationship Manager

Meredith has been a part of the Relax & Co. team since its first day of operation. Over the past 10 years she has dedicated much of her time to the well being of our clients and community, and in the process has helped build a standard of personal attention and excellence in customer service that has become the hallmark of Relax & Company.

Meredith attended high school in Hawaii and at the TASIS school in England, then earned her Associate Degree in Communications from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her time spent in these academic institutions gave Meredith a jump start to her career path and working in Hawaii allowed her to learn customer service in one of the best known tourist attractions in the world. Meredith began her career in hospitality and guest services as a member of the team at The Honolulu Comedy Night Club at the Ilikai Hotel in Waikiki. Hard work and dedication eventually earned her the position of General Manager of the club, as well as Entertainment Coordinator for visiting talent. This allowed her hands-on experience in everything from learning Hotel Management tools to Night Club Management skills and all they entail; this is where she spent the early part of her career.

Originally from the East Coast of the United States, Meredith moved back to the region after her time in Honolulu to explore and travel across the country. In the process she started a family, and while raising three children with her husband, they settled on a farm in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire to be closer to extended family. Although she still has family in Hawaii and takes warm vacations each winter, Meredith, her husband and family all love calling this beautiful place home! Landing in New Hampshire and working first with Gina, and then Jim, the dynamic team who would eventually be the proprietors of Relax and Co., made this move a perfect match.

Meredith has been thrilled to get involved in most areas of the company including Cleaning, Rental Support, Concierge, Home Health Support, and even Gardening. She has grown in her positions and today manages the Concierge department and all of its various offerings. To this day, providing personal attention and care to every single request from our clients remains her highest goal.

“As Relax & Company has grown so has its team, and we have only gotten better over the years. It is such a great feeling to look forward to getting to work everyday, and that is because of the people; The people we work with and the people we work for. I’m so excited for the future of Relax & Company!”

Cory Cavello - Rental Owner Manager

Well rounded in the Tourism industry across the country, Cory joined the Relax & Co. team as the Rental Support Manager in 2022. His combination of experience in all things property management, photography, technical expertise and customer service lead him to play the perfect role in this position. With almost 10 years of gathering skills at world class Inns and major tourist destinations throughout Colorado, managing distinguished rental properties in the mountains of Washington State, and also helping his family with their personal rental properties right here on Lake Sunapee, Cory strives to curate the best selection of rental properties in the Lake Sunapee area while working closely with each homeowner.

In his spare time you may find him hiking or camping with his wife, dog and daughter in the White Mountains, fly fishing the area’s best streams, relaxing at Maine’s finest beaches, or prospecting for crystals across all of New England.

“Relax & Co. offers a work environment like no other, with no two days being the same. With the constant need for problem solving, it is full of excitement. The team here is one of the most professional I have ever worked with, and I am happy to be a part of this ever evolving company.”

Jodi Bailey - Hardlines Project Manager

Gina Bruss - Senior Relationship Manager, Partner

Originally a Wisconsin local, Gina studied Nutritional Science at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. She relocated to New Hampshire in 1988 and began by managing two Hallmark stores in Concord, then later moved to Bradford and joined Lake Sunapee Bank as a Teller/Customer Service Representative. Her journey living around the Lake Sunapee Region continued by occasionally working with Jim at Bruss Construction and also becoming a one woman team providing cleaning services for the Appleseed Restaurant. As her loyalty and passion impressed their management team, she was then invited to clean the Appleseed Catered Cruise Boats in Sunapee Harbor. Recognizing the need for assistance, Gina reached out to Meredith to join her new endeavor… but the Clean Team duo quickly turned into a trio when Jim also joined the crew. With his entrepreneurial mindset, their clientele and service offerings began to expand, steering them in a direction of constant growth. The rest, as they say, is history… and Relax & Company was born in 2014.

As Senior Relationship Manager and Partner, Gina’s collaboration and positive connections with the Relax & Co. teams and clients is a staple to the operation of our business. Working at Relax may occupy the majority of her life, but she also loves dogs and spending her time outside of work cooking or being in the garden.

“Working at Relax, you will never be bored! I could never have imagined all the things we would do and places we would go and I am very proud to be able to have the opportunity to provide jobs to so many amazing people. I truly hope we are having a positive impact on our community.”

Christy Carafa - Director of Customer Experience

With a dynamic career spanning 25 years in retail management within multiple leading retail chains, Christy proudly joined Relax & Co. as the Director of Sales in December 2023. Her journey began at Colby-Sawyer College and once graduated, worked her way up from a part-time key holder all the way to Operations Manager & Northeast Regional Leadership Trainer for Sierra retail. With that company, she earned impressive accolades such as “Operations Manager of the Year” and achieved “#1 Store in Sales & Customer Satisfaction” in 2023. Passionate about building successful teams, with a unique and vibrant personality, Christy connects easily with people and is passionate about fostering an atmosphere where everyone feels valued. Her approach emphasizes inclusivity and positive culture and thrives on creating new, creative ways to deliver world-class customer service, all while ensuring a fun and engaging work environment.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Christy cherishes her small-town upbringing. In 2002, she and her husband built their dream home in Wilmot, surrounded by nature and breathtaking views of Mt Kearsarge, Eagle Pond, and Ragged Mountain. Beyond work, her love for animals led her to adopt 2 dogs and 6 cats! Also being an avid road-tripper and travel enthusiast, she is constantly filling her passport with new stamps.

“I am excited to begin this exciting journey at Relax & Co., where passion meets professionalism, and together, we create extraordinary experiences for our customers.”

Robert Young - Director of Hardlines Operations

Kelly Bernaiche - Controller

Jake Jekubovich - Assistant Fleet Manager

Jake’s journey with Relax & Company began back in September of 2016, and he has worn many hats during his time on the team — from cleaning and construction to snow removal crew and management. Now specializing in purchasing and fleet management, he truly is a “Jake-of-all-trades”! Known for giving his all in everything he does, his time with Relax & Co. is no exception, as the crews and management team know him as an active contributor always ready to lend a hand. Jake is not only an extremely hard worker with a team mentality during the work week, he is also a father to an amazing 9 year old boy who keeps his off-duty hours filled with sports, the thrill of snowmobiling or dirt biking.

“Relax is not just a workplace; it’s a unique company that has become my home for many years, and many more to come.”

Tony Maki - Small Projects Manager

Tony’s journey on the Relax & Company team started in the spring of 2022 when he was hired as a Lead Carpenter on the Construction crew. His incredibly impressive background in the woodworking industry, in addition to his dedication and team oriented work ethic, would steer people to respect not only his craftsmanship, but his willingness to redirect his talents for the betterment of his team. When there was a need for additional support on other crews, Tony was happy to raise his hand to the challenge, accepting the transition of his role from Carpenter to join the Handyman crew. Continuing to find success wherever he works, being a crew member would be short lived as he quickly landed himself the role of Handyman Manager in the Fall of 2023.

Before Relax & Co., Tony’s career in woodworking had been nothing short of an adventure with forestry classes and tree service work laying the ground level of his experience. He then worked at a sawmill where he gained extensive hands-on skills, honing in on Carpentry and quickly mastering Finish Carpentry. He found his true passion when delving into the artistry of woodworking and furniture making… But that’s not even the whole story. As designing and building the perfect final product became his ideal, he wore many hats in building and maker jobs. From crafting eye-catching signs to constructing commercial kitchens, building and maintaining mini-golf props, and even building a log cabin straight from a wooded lot – he’s truly taken his love for wood to fascinating places. Along the way, his work has been featured in local publication for woodworking in “Images Magazine” and he was even on an episode of Restaurant Impossible (Food Network) back when he built commercial kitchens.

In life beyond the workshop, Tony is a husband, proud father of two boys, and the happy companion to a family dog. You’ll likely find him soaking up the great outdoors, hitting the mountain trails on his bike, hiking, camping, or skiing.

Killian Wallace - Finishes Manager

As the Finishes Manager, Killian brings with him a rich background spanning over 13 years in the painting industry. He has worked with the Relax & Company team since 2018, and continues to be a driving force behind managing and executing successful projects as he is passionate about combining his technical expertise with a commitment to client satisfaction. Having honed his skills over more than a decade, he is a seasoned professional renowned for his keen eye for detail and commitment to precision, evident in the exceptional quality of his work within high-end interior painting. As a dedicated Manager with a passion for transforming spaces through meticulous and decisive finish work, his commitment to organized and quality work has set industry benchmarks for both himself and his team. Killian holds an Associates Degree in Business Administration from NHTI and this educational foundation enhances his strategic approach to operations management, complimenting his hands-on experience. He consistently delivers outstanding results that have earned repeat acclaim for his ability to elevate interiors with a touch of sophistication.

Outside of the professional realm, Killian finds solace and inspiration in the great outdoors. Whether it’s hiking through scenic trails or simply enjoying the beauty of nature, he values the rejuvenating experiences that outdoor activities bring. In addition to his love for nature, Killian enjoys delving into the world of filmmaking and the craft of storytelling. His creative pursuits extend beyond the canvas, reflecting a deep appreciation for narrative and visual storytelling.

“To pour care and compassion into all you do will never not yield results.”

Alex Poisson - Mechanical & Plumbing Services Manager

Brian Thompson - Landscape Manager

Matt Humphrey - Masonry Manager

Nathaniel Hansen - Caretaking Services Manager

Nathaniel was born and raised in the foothills of Bradford, NH, attended Kearsarge Regional High School, and now lives just down the road in Sunapee Harbor. He graduated from Castleton State College in Vermont in 2011, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Geology. One of his favorite parts of earning his degree was in the summer of 2010 when his class was awarded a grant from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) allowing them to map the bedrock near Lake George in New York. He enjoyed the experience and research while being a part of this Survey, and even got to present his geological map and work at the Geological Society of America conference in Baltimore.

Over the summers while in high school and college, Nathaniel worked at the Lumber Barn in Bradford as the Yard Foreman. He also pursued jobs in the Geology field by working a summer at Ruggles Mine in Grafton, as well as 2 summer internships with the New Hampshire Geological Survey as part of their Multi-Department Flood Control Project. The purpose of this project was to assess and survey all bridges and culverts in the state to make sure they are sized correctly for flooding events and that they are in working order. If they were not, they were placed on a list to be updated or replaced.

Nathaniel joined Relax & Company in late 2016 and started in the Construction division but has been transient being a part of every department in the company except for Cleaning. Having held the title of Caretaking Manager since 2020, this position has allowed him to further his studies, earning Certifications or Career Diplomas in; Locksmithing, Pool and Hot Tub Maintenance, Home Inspection, Appliance Repair, Commercial Boat Piloting and SCUBA. In his free time (during the non-snow covered months) you will find Nathaniel volunteering for the New Hampshire Geological Survey, now mapping the bedrock in an area around Mt Kearsarge, as well as just being outside in general… when the weather is nice. He is an avid traveler and tries to go somewhere new every year and hopefully soon will start filling up his passport.