When I’m conducting market reports in Guanacaste, I always check in with Jim and Julian, as they have their fingers on the pulse of the latest developments in the area.  I have come to rely on them as a critical local resource. Andrew Cohen, MAI, Managing Director, Horwath HTL

Meet the Team

Jim Correll

A managing partner and founder of CR Development Group (CRDG). He has been an active investor in real estate for 25 years and the past 15 years has focused exclusively on Costa Rica, leading the acquisition and development of several leading projects including Coco Bay Estates, Segovia, The Club at Coco Bay, Vista Ocotal, La Punta and Diamante Eco Adventure Park to name a few. Jim is a graduate of the University of Nebraska and holds a double major in finance and marketing. Prior to moving to Costa Rica, Jim was a Senior Vice President for Harte-Hanks (NYSE:HHS), one of the world’s largest targeted marketing companies, and served on the board of directors for Q Interactive-a Landmark Company. Jim enjoys dual-citizenship from the United States and Costa Rica and he and his family split their time between the two.


Julian Rembert

A managing partner and founder of CR Development Group (CRDG). Julian has led the acquisition of multi-million dollar land developments in Costa Rica for over 15 years and originally established CRDG’s footprint. When it comes to knowing the local market – no one has more knowledge of “who’s – who”. Julian led key projects within CRDG including Coco Verde Hotel Casino, La Montana, Vista Ocotal, The Club at Coco Bay and initiated the vision for CRDG’s Diamante Eco Adventure Park.  Prior to Costa Rica, Julian has invested in and managed real estate for over two decades. He founded and sold North State Appraisal, based out of North Carolina. Julian is a graduate of Presbyterian College in South Carolina. He majored in Business and received both full football and academic scholarship.


Gina Correll

Gina operates the CRDG Services vacation rental business working closely with the Costa Rica team to deliver one of kind, high touch experiences for hundreds of clients, friends and family. She is also responsible for marketing and investor communications for CRDG. She has an extensive background with over 25 years in sales, marketing and client services. Gina has served as a vice president for Fortune 500 companies such as Equifax, ADVO and Symphony Services. A graduate of the University of Redlands, Gina majored in Business and minored in Spanish.


Karen Rembert

Responsible for our Tennis program and events. For 13 years she served as the tennis director for the North Hills Club in Raleigh, North Carolina. During her tenure there, the club grew into one of the largest in the south, and was honored by the United States Tennis Association with a Facility of the Year award. An award-winning tennis professional, Karen is an outstanding instructor who has enjoyed many successes with all ages and levels.


Jesus Gonzalez

President of CRDG and General Manager of Diamante Eco Adventure Park. A leader in hospitality and certified in public accounting with more than 30 years of experience. For the past 16 years, he has held various General Manager positions for some of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands, including Camino Real México, Radisson, InterContinental Hotel Group, and Marriott International, the largest with more than 700 rooms. Jesús has many degrees in business and corporate strategies at INCAE, Cornell, and Tec de Monterrey. He likes to read and watch soccer games, is married and has two daughters and one son.


Mauricio Urena

A native of Costa Rica and serves as CRDG’s finance manager and CRDG’s first employee. Mauricio served as CEO and Branch Manager for Banco Cuscatlan before it was acquired by Citi. He has over a decade of experience helping businesses and customers with a wide range of financial products, and has worked directly with key international real estate investment clients. A graduate of the University of Costa Rica in Business Administration, Mauricio is certified in several English-language technology courses.


Luciana Smania

Operations Manager and Marketing Manager at Diamante Eco Adventure Park. She was one of the first collaborators of Diamante and has been part of the company since its inception. She has more than 15 years of experience in adventure tourism, holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Marketing, and over twelve years of experience in audiovisual production. She has several courses in design, photography, production, the creation, and management of websites and digital marketing. A leader in Adventure Racing and enjoys mountain biking, running, kayaking, and all outdoor activities.


Alejandro Guerrero

Maintenance Manager with 14 years of experience in adventure tourism, zip line guide, and adventure activities. A certified ICT guide in cables and ropes, JumpMaster in Tropical Bungee, and advanced guide since 2009. Expert in design and construction of Adventure Circuits and instructor of guides in adventure activities at Adventure Playground. He has experience in automotive mechanics and metalworking. University tourism studies. Certificate in First Aid and CPR. Also, INA certified courses of Attention and Guidance in cable and rope activities, Contingency Management, and Emergency Rescue.


Stephanie Marrero

Food & Beverage Manager at Diamante Eco Adventure Park. A Master’s degree in Hotel Administration with more than ten years of experience in the tourism sector. She developed her career in hotels such as Meliá Santo Domingo, in the area of ​​event coordination and logistics and in the Indigo hotel of the IHG chain in the F&B area, where she developed as a department supervisor. She developed the restaurant concept called Entre Bocas, which operated for four years in the Guanacaste area and developed in various areas of personnel management, leadership, menu reengineering, strategic alliances with suppliers, and cost control. She has a Diploma as Chef d ‘Hotel by Le Cordon Bleu and Certified as an International Wedding Planner by INIBEP.


Wilfrido Salazar Castro

Human Resources Manager, Diamante Eco Adventure Park. With more than 25 years of experience working in the hospitality industry at world-class recognized brands such as Intercontinental Hotels, Marriott, Hilton Worldwide, and Holiday Inn. University studies in business administration with an emphasis on tourism. He has taught seminars in countries such as Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico on issues of Customer Service, Leadership, Teamwork, among others. Always looking to create exemplary work environments. His inspiration is his wife, his two children, and his family.


Rudy Morales

Financial Manager / Controller at Diamante Eco Adventure Park. Business Administrator and Business Advisor with more than 13 years of experience in the national banking field, 13 years of professional career he has been immersed in the financial world in institutions such as Banco Cuscatlan, Citibank, Financiera Desyfin and Banco Improsa, facilitating this the knowledge with clients from different productive areas of the country such as the airport, construction, tourism, real estate, agriculture, transport, among others. On a personal level, he loves nature, sports like MTB and soccer, enjoying the country’s beaches, his wife, and his two-year-old daughter.