Executives & Leadership

Maria Echevarria has over 15 years of experience in Accounting, Compliance, Finance, Information Systems and Operations.  Her management positions include 10 years in the banking industry where she specialized in Mortgage Quality Control, Compliance, Financial Analysis and Mortgage Accounting.  Operating in a highly regulated industry, Mrs. Echevarria was surrounded very early in her career with compliance requirements from public and private sectors; she has significant experience dealing directly with agencies such as FHA, VA and other mortgage guarantors. Mrs. Echevarria also ran programs to test adherence to Investor requirements related to reporting, remittances, escrow accounting and default management for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other Private Investors. She has coordinated all types of audits, regulatory and financial, and assisted the Division Heads in the determination of remediation measures and also the implementation of such measures.   Her experience includes SEC reporting and financial analysis, and her career accomplishments include developing and implementing major initiatives such as SOX, BSA and AML reporting and valuation of financial instruments.  Mrs. Echevarria also served 5 years in Senior Level Management overseeing Finance, Information Systems and Operations for two non-profit organizations. Throughout her various accounting and financial positions, Mrs. Echevarria developed a strong expertise in preparing financial reports, coordinating budgets and projections, preparing financial presentations and analyzing financial data.   She has developed and taught accounting courses for Herzing University, and serves as an adjunct faculty member at Southern New Hampshire University.  She is a CPA, licensed in New Jersey and Puerto Rico, and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico and a MBA in Business from University of Phoenix.  Mrs. Echevarria was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and is fluent in Spanish and English.  She joined Algodon Group in June 2014 as the Corporate Controller with primary responsibility for corporate consolidation, policies and procedures and creating various SEC filing reports.   She has also developed a positive and interactive relationship and respect with Algodon’s global operations in Argentina.

With over 20 years' experience in business, he has served in an investment capacity with our broker-dealer since 2001, as the Chief Compliance Officer of our broker-dealer for more than 4 years, and as a Managing Director of Gaucho Group Holdings, Inc. for more than 13 years.  His responsibilities include development and sales of Gaucho Group’s luxury brand, Algodon Fine Wines, vineyards, luxury homesites and real estate. Mr. Fasano is also one of the founders and a Managing Director of Hollywood Burger, a “Fresh Food, Fast!” restaurant concept currently operational in the U.S. and Argentina. Prior to joining Algodon, he was employed at Gilford Securities, Whale Securities, and Lehman Brothers.  Mr. Fasano holds a BA in Economics from Rutgers University. He coaches girls' soccer, and enjoys playing golf in his spare time. Mr. Fasano lives in New Jersey with his wife and 3 daughters.

Christian works closely with the CEO and Managing Directors to market, source, develop and curate products, and potential partnerships for Gaucho Group's luxury fashion & leather accessories brand: Gaucho – Buenos Aires. This platform serves as a portal to purchase your piece of Argentine luxury. Gaucho – Buenos Aires is a new luxury fashion and accessories brand that is the result of more than a decade's investment in Argentina's heart and soul. Gaucho’s luxury branded assets have come to be associated with the country's finest experiences through award-winning wines and exceptional luxury destinations. Now with Gaucho – Buenos Aires, Gaucho Group Holdings ,INC. adds a high-end fashion and accessories e-commerce sector to its collection of luxury assets, connecting buyers with some of Argentina’s best creative talents that harness the country’s unique heritage and artisan-ship of products such as woven fabrics, leather goods and precious metal jewelry.

Mr. Ferzola holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from New York University. He is also a benefactor of The Tsavo and North Rangelands Trusts, both of which work to preserve and maintain Africa’s wildlife and natural landscape. When he is not working, Christian enjoys skiing, cooking and golf.

Mr. Gassoso is one of the Senior Managing Directors of Gaucho Group Holdings, Inc.  With over 20 years' experience in business, he has served in an investment capacity with our broker-dealer since 2001, and as a Senior Managing Director of Gaucho Group for more than 12 years.  His responsibilities include the development of Algodon’s Golf & Tennis Club amenities, as well as development and sales of Algodon's vineyards, luxury homesites and real estate.  Mr. Gassoso is also one of the founders of Hollywood Burger, a “Fresh Food, Fast!” restaurant concept currently operational in the U.S. and Argentina. He has over 17 years’ experience in the securities industry, and previously served as Senior Investment Advisor at National Securities.  He enjoys traveling in both his professional and personal life, which gives him the opportunity to meet most of his clients in person and establish long-lasting relationships.  He is an avid golfer and all-around sportsman, and in his spare time he enjoys coaching his son’s football and basketball teams.

Mr. Maritato is a founding partner of Gaucho Group Holdings, INC., and has over 20 years of experience in the finance industry. His responsibilities include sales and development of Algodon’s vineyards, luxury homesites and real estate.  Mr. Maritato is also one of the founders of Hollywood Burger, a “Fresh Food, Fast!” restaurant concept currently operational in the U.S. and Argentina. His entrepreneurial expertise includes seeking opportunities in private equity funding & venture capital for early stage startup companies.  His previous experience includes positions and achievements as Vice President and Senior Vice President for several boutique brokerage firms in New York City. Mr. Maritato attended the New York Institute of Finance, and graduated from Kingsborough College with an Associate's degree in Applied Science. When not at the office, Mr. Maritato enjoys playing golf, boating, and traveling.

Mr. Stear has over 15 years of experience in luxury brand development, business marketing and communications.  He has served with Gaucho Group since 2006, and is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the Company’s marketing, branding, and corporate communications strategies and any related programs that support the Company’s vision, mission, culture, and business goals. He oversees all branding and brand development, marketing and advertising, website content, social media outlets, media relations, press releases, and general public relations activities for the Company, its subsidiaries and wholly owned businesses. He continues to play an essential role in successfully positioning Gaucho Group's portfolio within the high-end luxury sectors, and whose hospitality and fine wines have accordingly been honored with numerous international awards, top media coverage and accolades.  He also serves as Director of Marketing and is one of the founders of Hollywood Burger, a “Fresh Food, Fast!” restaurant concept currently operational in the U.S.  Mr. Stear holds a Digital Marketing Certification from CUNY Hunter College and received his BFA in Liberal Arts and Theatre from the University of North Carolina.

With over 13 years' experience in business, he has served in an investment capacity with our broker-dealer since 2002, and as a Managing Director of Gaucho Group Holdings, Inc. he has spearheaded Algodon’s investment activity and growth for more than 8 years.  His responsibilities include development and sales of Gaucho Group’s luxury brand, wine, vineyards, luxury homesites and real estate.  Mr. Stern is also a Managing Director and one of the founders of Hollywood Burger, a “Fresh Food, Fast!” restaurant concept currently operational in the U.S. Early in his career, he spearheaded several startup entrepreneurial endeavors in the music, retail, printing, and painting industry. Mr. Stern continued with his entrepreneurial spirit in joining a small retail company, The Men’s Wearhouse, and held a 9 year management position, where his responsibilities included New Market Ventures and Client Relations. In that time, the company grew from just over 100 stores to roughly 500. Mr. Stern was instrumental in bringing the first stores into New York and successfully launched 5 stores before leaving. He is involved with the NFTE foundation, which teaches entrepreneurism and inspires young people from low-income communities to find their paths to success, the Humane Society, and the ASPCA. Mr. Stern attended Baruch College and New York University and has a BA in Finance and Economics. He has lived and studied abroad in Florence, Italy at the Lorenzo De Medici School of Arts and Sevilla, Spain at the Instituto Internacional de Negocios. He is conversational in Spanish, and in his free time he is an avid outdoorsman, enjoys playing golf and traveling.