The Platinum
Core Team

Counter to the norms in the traditional real estate market, Platinum Luxury Auctions approaches every auction sale with grit, toughness, and a whole heart. Our small but mighty team analyzes real-time developments in our program to secure real results. We treat each project as an opportunity to share our passion for the auction, the property and the client, and approach spaces not as four walls, but as stories that need to be told.

Luxury real estate deserves a luxury auction®

Trayor Lesnok

Trayor Lesnock

Founder & President

Mr. Lesnock is the sole founder of Platinum Luxury Auctions and is responsible for developing and applying the luxury auction® model to the auction sale of multimillion-dollar real estate. He owns the federal trademark rights to the term “luxury auction,” which is now widely used by the media in reference to multimillion-dollar property auctions, and often imitated by industry competitors.

Lesnock has guided Platinum through luxury auctions® in 33 states and 14 countries. He has held a real estate broker’s license for 20 years (FL), is a licensed broker in 5 states (FL, NY, GA, CT & PA), and also holds a yacht broker license (FL).

He has been quoted numerous times in the Wall Street Journal on the topic of luxury real estate auctions and has been interviewed by other prominent publications such as the Financial Times, Forbes, and Bloomberg.

Mr. Lesnock earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a minor in Physiology from Cornell University, an Ivy League institution. While still an undergraduate, he co-founded then sold his first business venture, an indoor-marketing firm. Lesnock was formerly a multi-sport athlete and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 as a recipient of its Scholar Athlete award.

Brett Ryan

Brett Ryan

Vice President

After several years consulting for the firm, Mr. Ryan formally joined Platinum in 2021. Mr. Ryan brings high-level financial experience to the Platinum team, previously holding positions at Kayne Anderson and Deloitte (one of accounting’s Big Four). As an entrepreneur, he acquired a logistics and services franchise which he then sold after 5-X’ing its revenue in less than 3 years.

Brett holds a Bachelor’s in Accounting and a Master’s in Supply Chain Management from the University of Florida, where he also played men’s volleyball for the Gators. Today, he still competes in large tournaments and coaches a youth volleyball club in Seattle, WA, where he currently resides.

David Ashcroft

Managing Director

David Ashcroft honed his extensive interpersonal and relationship skills while working in the financial services industry in Tokyo, Japan for nearly two decades. After returning stateside and entering the luxury real estate brokerage industry, Mr. Ashcroft spent seven years as a top-producing sales executive with John’s Island Real Estate Company, the in-house brokerage for one of the country’s most exclusive, private membership communities (where he was also a resident). He followed his stint at John’s Island by joining Treasure Coast Sotheby’s International Realty in Vero Beach, Florida, before transitioning to the Platinum team.

Along with vast and proven hands-on experience in the listing and selling of luxurious residential properties, Mr. Ashcroft also brings to Platinum’s business development team a razor-sharp intellect for the analysis of real estate investment opportunities, market metrics, and industry trends. In his added role as Corporate Liaison, he works to develop and maintain mutually productive relationships between Platinum and the luxury brokerage community.

Brittany Olmo

Brittany Olmo

Marketing Director

At the helm of the marketing department, Ms. Olmo calls upon her varied background in administration, creative arts and entertainment – across media ranging from visual design to television and film production. This creative experience fuels her innovative and multi-process approach to designing and implementing Platinum’s complex and fast-moving, multimillion-dollar marketing campaigns each year.

A Florida native, Brittany attended Florida International University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree, graduating in the top tenth percentile of her class while completing the four-year curriculum in only three years. She is a serious animal lover – owning two dogs and four cats (that we know of…) – while also volunteering with animal rescues in South Florida.

Sabrina Fernandez

Sabrina Fernandez

Marketing Coordinator

Ms. Fernandez brings her unique professional background to the Platinum team with multiple years of management in the hospitality industry and the corporate environment. Her keen ability to advance and adapt quickly has contributed to her enterprising experience and aligns with the fast-paced world of luxury real estate auctions. Currently working to complete her dual degree in finance and marketing, she is a true multi-tasking expert.

Though a bona fide South Floridian, Sabrina moved to Louisville, KY for two years to aid in the opening of a new corporate office as a corporate trainer before making her way back to her hometown. An avid chef and baker she loves to explore all the novel cuisines and bakeries locally and on her travels. When she’s not in the kitchen she’s most likely spending time with her furry children which include two dogs and two cats, all named after Batman characters.

Aaron Carmody

Aaron Carmody

Business Development

Mr. Carmody spent four years proudly serving his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps before transitioning into the private defense contracting industry. After several successful private defense engagements abroad, Mr. Carmody returned to the U.S. and graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic University, earning a Bachelor of Science in finance. Prior to joining Platinum, he spent 3 years in the insurance sector, where he catered to high-net-worth professionals and business executives.

Mr. Carmody focuses on communicating with brokerage owners and management-level real estate professionals to strengthen Platinum’s relationships with leading luxury real estate brokerages throughout the country.

James Smith

James Smith

Business Development

Originally from Australia, Mr. Smith began working in the aircraft sales and leasing business in 2012 with CB Aviation, developing relationships with a global network of aviation professionals including pilots, airline personnel and aircraft owners.

Prior to his aviation career, James worked in European and Caribbean real estate markets, honing his knowledge of international property transactions, with an emphasis on luxury leasing. His international business experience is also buffered by several years spent as a business development manager for a major paint manufacturer in Europe, where he helped develop new markets in Asia and Australia.

Mr. Smith currently focuses on the development of relationships with leading real estate professionals in select areas, such as prime coastal markets in the U.S. and abroad. He has a passion for flying and is a licensed private pilot.

Stefania Minutaglio

Business Development

As an art curator/broker and owner of an established art gallery (11HH; Miami), Mrs. Minutaglio is right at home working with connoisseurs of fine assets. Born and raised in Italy, she is fluent in Italian and English, and can converse in Spanish. Stefania divides her time between Italy and Florida, where she is also a licensed Realtor.®

She draws on her unique experience in the worlds of art and international commerce to develop luxury auction® opportunities for Platinum in Italy, the broader EU, and Florida. Stefania’s affiliations include the European Union of Art Experts (UEEA), European Art Council (CEA), Association of Women Art Dealers, (AWAD) and the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE). She enjoys dancing and playing the piano.

Steve Uhlir

Steve Uhlir

Business Development

Steve is a licensed real estate and mortgage broker in the state of California, and also serves as the president and founder of SURE 6S Corp, which has been involved in the acquisition and disposition of more than $200 million in real estate assets to date. His luxury real estate auction experience dates back to 2004, and includes an impressive collection of sales throughout San Diego County, CA (many of which established then-records for auctions in the given market area).

Mr. Uhlir earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology with a minor in Business Institutions from Northwestern University, and continued his education with online-learning certificates from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and MIT.

Steve is a native San Diegan, having resided in Del Mar for 25+ years. He and his wife, Susan, split time between Del Mar and their ranch in Idaho Falls where they are raising their twins, Stephen and Sophia.

Lyndee Mayes

Lyndee Elmore

Business Development

Mrs. Elmore earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Management from Central Oregon Community College. Motivated by her passion, she quickly decided to put that degree to work in the real estate industry. With an impressive tenure spanning 14 enriching years in the real estate industry, Mrs. Elmore has cultivated a deep-rooted passion for properties, taking her expertise to new heights with Platinum Luxury Auctions and consistently expanding her real estate knowledge base. While she calls Arizona home, her fervor for real estate extends far beyond borders, reaching a global audience.

Thriving on harnessing her experience and expertise, Mrs. Elmore navigates the ever-evolving realm of real estate, by bringing a touch of sophistication and expertise to every transaction. Mrs. Elmore has always been active in sports and volunteer work in her native town of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and is a true outdoor enthusiast.

Walter Cerini

Walter Cerini

Project Management

Mr. Cerini is an auction veteran who entered the industry while still in high school. Before joining the Platinum team, he amassed more than 22 years of auction experience, first working at an autographed memorabilia and collectibles firm before transitioning to Russo & Steele Collector Car Auctions, where he specialized in the premium category of collector-grade cars.

Walter joined the Platinum team in 2017 with a focus on project management. He has since managed many of Platinum’s top-tier properties both within and outside of the U.S., ranging from large-acreage ranches to oceanfront penthouses. Mr. Cerini graduated cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in psychology and a double minor in pre-law and pre-medicine. He resides in Phoenix, AZ.

Trudy Vella

Trudy Vella

Project Management

Trudy Vella joined Platinum after spending 25 years as a real estate broker in Hawaii, largely focusing on the island of Kauai. As an experienced island broker, she realized the unique value of the luxury auction® platform as a tool for attracting wealthy buyers from around the globe. Her special blend of empathy and tenacity makes her highly effective in working with buyers and brokers while managing a luxury auction® property.

Prior to her real estate career, Trudy co-founded, operated and eventually sold an off-road tour company located on the island of Oahu, HI. She is also an experienced singer and has performed with a wide variety of musical groups, from opera to blue grass. Ms. Vella takes pride in being genuinely passionate and enthusiastic in everything she does.

Tawny Wolf

Tawny Wolf

Outside Referrals

Ms. Wolf graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Mass Communications, with a focus on public relations and marketing. Her love of horses then brought her to the Wellington, Florida area in 2007.

Her previous experience in the fashion industry as the Director of Sales for DerDau (a New York-based, luxury equestrian brand), combined with being an active equestrian competitor in the show jumping discipline, gives Ms. Wolf the unique ability to relate to clients seeking a lifestyle that blends the “horse world” with the luxury and elegance of South Florida.

Ms. Wolf is focused on expanding Platinum’s already stellar track record for the luxury auction® of multimillion-dollar horse farms and equestrian estates.

Adrienee Ford

Adrienne Ford

Chief Design & Brand Strategist

Adrienne Ford is an art director, designer, and brand strategist living and working in Los Angeles, CA. Before beginning her freelance career, Ms. Ford received her undergraduate business degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University with a triple major in Marketing, Organization and Management, and Visual Arts Management. Subsequently, she joined Saputo Design, where she produced work for many of the world’s most prominent brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, Lexus, and Infiniti. She then joined Team One Advertising, Saatchi & Saatchi’s luxury division, as a Design Strategist. There, she worked on such clients as Snapchat, Lacoste, The Tiger Woods Foundation, Dacor, Me & the Bees, Fabletics, and more.

Ms. Ford is a unique design professional, as she brings a blend of business knowledge, artistic talent, and blue-chip corporate experience to provide her clients with relevant, intelligent design, and brand strategies. She currently dedicates her time to a collection of clients and agencies around the globe, in locations such as Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Miami, FL and Prague, Czech Republic.

An explorer at heart, Adrienne has traveled through five continents, mainly searching for the perfect bowl of bucatini.

Alyssa Loewen

Alyssa Loewen

Art Director

Between her background in visual design and her already considerable experience in the world of luxury real estate, Ms. Loewen comes to Platinum Luxury Auctions with a well-honed and nuanced skill set. ⁠With a focus on design layout and real estate marketing, she is adept at translating client needs and complex concepts into tangible and effective visual solutions. With close to 10 years of marketing experience, she has worked extensively in the field of luxury real estate, commercial real estate, and new-build developments.⁠

Not one to be caught idling in place, Ms. Loewen is an avid traveler and an avowed animal enthusiast – whether that’s picking up surfing on the rugged coastline of the Pacific Northwest, volunteering at an animal sanctuary in Costa Rica, or anywhere in between.

Neil Bourdelaise

Neil Bourdelaise

Preferred Lender

As one of the nation’s Top 1% of Mortgage Originators (named by Mortgage Executive Magazine) Neil’s experience, round-the-clock service and dedication to his clients are why top Realtors choose him as their loan officer. An over 16-year veteran of the mortgage industry, Neil’s primary goal is to use his skills to produce outstanding results for every customer, and he specializes in jumbo financing and unique loan options that cater to high net worth borrowers.

A Senior Mortgage Consultant and Branch Sales Manager in Florida, Neil is also fully licensed in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, Georgia, and the District of Columbia. Neil is a proud graduate of Roanoke College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration and played varsity soccer, and now spends his free time keeping up with local market trends and volunteering in his community.

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