Proper House Group Announces Leadership Team for New Concepts Ash and Alter Ego

The latest dining and entertainment venues from Proper House Group to open at Water Street Tampa this spring

Tampa, Fla. – Jan. 25, 2024 – Celebrating more than a decade of culinary excellence in Tampa’s hospitality industry, Proper House Group has announced the opening leadership team for its two newest endeavors, Ash, a full-service restaurant with Italianinspired cuisine, and Alter Ego, a music–infused cocktail lounge, opening this spring at Water Street Tampa.

Led by critically acclaimed and award-winning Chef Ferrell Alvarez, and partners Ty Rodriguez, Myles Gallagher, and Chon Nguyen, the latest additions mark the seventh and eighth ventures from Proper House Group to Water Street Tampa, the transformative new lifestyle destination in Downtown Tampa. “We're beyond excited to introduce the powerhouse behind our new concepts, Ash and Alter Ego. Our teams are the heartbeat of every venture, crafting proper hospitality and delivering service that not only meets but exceeds expectatios - excellence is the only standard we know,” said Chon Nguyen with Proper House Group. “Ash and Alter Ego are two distinct venues that will share a blend of culinary mastery and artistic ambiance unique to each concept. Beyond an elevated menu and unmatched atmosphere, our goal is to present curated experiences that will mesmerize our guests.”

Proper House Group has brought together experts with decades of experience in their respective fields to helm the new openings:

David Madera, general manager, Ash

David Madera will serve as Ash’s general manager, bringing more than 20 years of restaurant management experience to his new role. A Tampa native, Madera has managed multiple restaurant concepts and developed award-winning wine menus for Tampa-area restaurants including Mise en Place, Rococo Steak, Ceviche, Cru Cellars, Bouzy and Small Giant. David shares a history with Ferrell and Ty, having previously worked as Assistant Manager during their time together at Mise en Place.

Andrew Duncan, executive chef, Ash

Chef Andrew Duncan will serve as Ash’s executive chef, curating an Italian-inspired menu with local, sustainable and seasonable ingredients and headlining his first Tampa outpost. A newcomer to the Tampa dining scene, Duncan began his culinary career in restaurant kitchens in Cape Cod before relocating to Florida. He has held leadership positions in some of St. Petersburg's most acclaimed restaurants, including celebrity chef Michael Mina's Farmtable Cucina, Seaworthy Fish & Bar, and most recently as executive chef for Baba on Central and Barbouni.

Matt Pingol, general manager, Alter Ego

Tampa native and Air Force veteran Matt Pingol is set to be the General Manager for the new lounge concept, Alter Ego. Boasting almost 15 years of experience in bar and nightlife management, Pingol is poised to enhance the guest experience. His previous association with Proper House Group (PHG), particularly at Rooster & the Till, underscores his grasp of the group's vision and dedication to excellence. Before joining Alter Ego, Pingol served as Beverage Director for Three Oaks Hospitality and played a pivotal role in launching the grand opening of MBird at Armature Works as its Bar Manager.

Jon Howard, beverage director, Ash and Alter Ego

Jon Howard assumes the role of Beverage Director for both Ash and Alter Ego, bringing a decade of experience from renowned establishments across the nation. In his initial New York tenure, he played a key role in the openings of Saxon + Parole (awarded World's Best Restaurant Bar in 2013) & The Daily for AVROKO Hospitality. Subsequently, he managed programs at American Whiskey, The Dutch, & Il Buco Alimentari. Formerly, he served as the Corporate Beverage Manager for the BLT Restaurant Group, contributing to the launch of 12 outlets in three different countries.

In 2015, Jon relocated to Nashville, swiftly establishing himself at William Colliers, Old Glory, Skulls Rainbow Room, and as the opening Beverage Director for the Kimpton Aertson Hotel. Notably, he secured victory in the 2016 Woodford Reserve National Master of the Manhattan Competition and achieved the status of a two-time World Class National Finalist. Recently, Jon held the position of Bar Director for Patchwork Productions and Chef Sean Brock. He oversaw and conceptualized programs at The Continental (recognized as a top 5 Best Restaurant Bar in the US by Liquor.com), Vesper Club, Audrey (TOTC Regional Finalist for Best New Bar in the US, Liquor.com Top 5 Best New Bar in the US), and June. Jon and his work have been featured in esteemed publications such as USA Today, Esquire, Liquor.com, Garden & Gun, Bon Appétit, among others.

Justin Layman “DJ Casper,” music director, Alter Ego

DJ Casper will serve as music director for Alter Ego, establishing the lounge concept’s music-forward atmosphere. A long-time staple in Tampa’s music industry, DJ Casper has spent more than 15 years building the destination’s party scene and his own reputation as DJ traveling throughout the country and performing with music’s top artists ranging from T-Pain and 50 Cent to Mos Def and Lupe Fiasco.

Proper House Group is actively recruiting for front and back-of-house positions at Ash and Alter Ego. As part of their commitment to fostering a thriving team, Proper House Group takes pride in providing team members with a comprehensive benefits package. This includes mentorship programs, competitive compensation, a wellness initiative, dining perks at all sister concepts, paid vacation, and additional benefits.

A primary focus for the partners is to invest in the professional development of team members, offering ample opportunities for upward mobility within the company. They believe in cultivating a dynamic and supportive work environment where each team member can reach their full potential. Those interested in applying to Ash can send resumes to Dave@properhousegroup.com, and Alter Ego applicants can send resumes to Mattp@properhousegroup.com.