Jonathon Smart
Founding Partner / Broker
Born, raised and educated in Sussex, England, Jonathon is a passionate and active family man. He has been an entrepreneur from an early age, leading him to found and develop several companies over the span of his professional career. He has a passion for high-end luxury residential and commercial real estate and has earned a reputation for integrity, professionalism, in-depth knowledge and excellence within the Vallarta/Nayarit real estate region. Having completed several certification courses, he is recognized as a certified Mexican real estate professional and served as the President of the AMPI chapter of Riviera Nayarit, (The Mexican National Professional Real Estate Association), for more three years.
In the early 2000’s and for over seven years Jonathon, along with his eventual business partner Wally Lopez, were an integral part in the success of Punta Mita Property’s executive sales & management team. In 2009 they founded Riviera Partners Realty, developing their brand into a leading high-end luxury real estate company serving specifically the residential communities of Punta Mita, the Auberge Branded Residences Susurros del Corazón, and the surrounding residential communities throughout the Costa Banderas and northern shore of Banderas Bay, the Riviera Nayarit region. Riviera Partners Realty provides professional consultancy services for national and international real estate investors and investment funds interested in high-end luxury real estate in the Riviera Nayarit region.
He is, as well, the founder and a partner/developer of Plaza Ollin, Punta de Mita’s premier shopping plaza, situated in the village of Punta de Mita and where Riviera Partners Realty, Riviera Rentals Mexico and Mercado Ollin are located.
As an investor / developer Jonathon has been, and continues to be involved in high-end luxury residential and commercial developments both within Punta Mita and the region, bringing his creative and innovative vision to each project. Having developed an extensive knowledge and understanding of architecture, construction and development, and having participated in the design and development of several high-end luxury master-planned communities, Jonathon brings his complete knowledge encompassing business development & planning, design, development, and execution of both residential and commercial projects. His extensive and in-depth knowledge and experience with both high-end residential communities and commercial developments gives him and his team a strong competitive advantage in the region.
Jonathon was a competitive windsurfer and martial artist in his youth, while today he is a passionate waterman enjoying windsurfing, wind-foiling, wing-foiling, paddle boarding, paddle surfing, surfing and sailing. He brings that passion and determination to all that he does. He currently serves on the JKR International Yudanshakai Executive Council (JKR-IYEC). He is a keen and active philanthropist, supporting local foundations and charities, both personally and through his businesses. He very much enjoys adventure and travel, speaks English, Spanish and basic French, and lives with his wife and children in the Bay of Banderas.
Wally Lopez
Founding Partner / Broker
Born in Los Angeles, California Wally grew up bi-culturally spending his time between Los Angles and Mazatlan. He later studied at the Technology Institute of Superior Studies in Monterrey, Mexico where he studied Sales and Marketing and earned his degree. For almost 9 years Wally was involved in, and formed and integral member of the sales, marketing and management within Punta Mita, working at the Punta Mita Properties office until his departure in January 2009, with his friend and business partner Jonathon Smart they were agents/managers of the Punta Mita Properties Office within Punta Mita. Wally earned a reputation while at Punta Mita Properties for his excellence and professionalism. His extensive knowledge of the Punta Mita development and the surrounding area makes him a valued consultant, professional, and closing specialist. Wally played an important part in the success of Punta Mita Properties up through his departure in January 2009. Wally is certified by the Mexican Real Estate Professionals Association, and is an active member of AMPI (the Mexican Professional Real Estate Association) and has an extensive knowledge of all legal and technical aspects of the real estate industry in Mexico. Wally has been involved in the design and development of several high-end residential luxury Real Estate communities and has hands on experience in design, development and construction offering a more complete knowledge base to our clients. Wally is an avid surfer, enjoys mountain biking and running. Wally lives with his family in the Bay of Banderas.
Salvador Castrejon M.
Sales Executive
Born and raised in Mexico City, studied during my teen years in Pennsylvania USA at Valley Forge Military Academy. Studied theatre and music composition in Mexico City, then moved to Cancun at age 19 where I started my career in sales and created a company named “El Wipil” with a group of close friends, our business was importing handicrafts & garments from Central America. We successfully managed and ran this business for four years. I then joined a sailing crew in San Diego CA and set sail on an adventure cruising for 2 years around French Polynesia. I lived in India for 6 months where I was initiated in Asthanga Yoga and became passionate about well-being, health, and teaching yoga. I moved to Puerto Vallarta 18 years ago where my wife & I created a yoga shala named Synergy. I was invited to become a part of the original sales team at the L os Veneros Residential community where we enjoyed great success from December 2006 through August 2010. In August 2010 I was invited to join the Riviera Partner Realty team, where I stayed for approximately 3 years. In October 2013 I was invited to participate as part of Punta Sayulita sales team where I stayed through December 2014. From January 2015 to April 2018 I was the office manager for the Coldwell Banker Punta Mita office, where for three consecutive years I received the award of most sales volume. I am pleased to have been invited back to re-join the team here at Riviera Partners Realty. Riviera Partners Realty has always been a market leader and the most professional company in our region, I am back and plan to add value to the existing exceptional team!
Venus Oceguera
Sales Executive
Venus was born in Puerto Vallarta, raised for the most part of her life in the PV and Riviera Nayarit area, under the parentage and international influence of a respected Mexican Civil Engineer and Vallarta’s own U.S. Consular Agent. She ventured off to High School and college in the United States, then returned to Mexico to finalize her studies and graduate from the University Valle de Atemajac with honors in Business Administration. She worked her way through college as a hostess/concierge at a small condo development in Punta de Mita. Upon graduation, she was given the opportunity for additional responsibilities with a foreign-owned Mexican Corporation, to acquire skills as a Treasurer, Property Manager/Administrator, Office Manager and Real Estate Agent, and is currently a member of Mexico Realtors Association (AMPI), in good standing. She is a bilingual/dual national who enjoys travelling and experiencing diverse cultures. She is dynamic and customer oriented with a focus on her professional development.
Ignacio Purpon
Sales Execuitve
Followed my full education up to M.Sc. in my “town” Mexico City, moving then on to France and Switzerland for a 20-year enriching life at all levels. The attraction of my roots pulled me back to Mexico. Since more than 15 years, Puerto Vallarta has been home for me. Real Estate is my profession since then, I love this major shift from engineering, dealing now more with people and the beautiful sites and properties this bay has to offer. Martial Arts has been with me since my young days, I enjoy open water swimming, road cycling, trekking, cooking, and travelling all over the world. I am looking forward to meeting you and help you find your dream home here in paradise!
Greg Stanton
Sales Executive
Greg was born in Mexico City. He is truly 100% bilingual and bicultural. When he was a toddler, his parents divorced. He and two brothers went to New York where his Mother was originally from. Gregs father, two sisters and one brother, stayed in Mexico where his father was a successful advertising executive. During his youth, Greg lived between New York and Mexico before moving to Southern California where he finished High School in Laguna Beach. He worked at American Airlines in Los Angeles for 4 years where he gained great experience and general knowledge. Greg later entered into the world of Beverage Packaging representing major manufacturers in the western U.S.. He continued to learn and went from a sales representative in the Northwest region of the US to General Sales Manager in 5 years. After an unfortunate divorce from his first marriage, Greg decided to take some time off and traveled to Mexico City to spend some “quality time” with his family that had remained there. He planned on staying for only a couple of months but that changed when he was contacted by Korn Ferry International and subsequently offered a position as Commercial Director in Mexico and Central America for a Global Packaging company. Shortly thereafter, he met his soon to be wife, Gabriela. He strategically moved the company from Mexico City to Querétaro, Qro. where this and other decisions more than doubled the company’s sales expectations while significantly reducing operating costs. In 2001, six months after his son was born, Greg realized he no longer wanted to be the always “on the road” type executive dad especially, since he was not raised by his own father. The family decided they wanted a better quality of life and after researching their many options, there was only one that stood out. They packed up and moved to Puerto Vallarta where they have now lived for 20 years. His daughter was born here and the family has never regretted the decision to make their life in paradise.
Since arriving in Puerto Vallarta, Greg has held different positions with prominent Developers and Realtors in Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos BCS.
“ I have spent my life in Sales and Customer Service. Providing honest and professional service has always been at my core. I have known Jonathan and Wally for many years and I am thrilled to be a part of the winning team that they have assembled at Riviera Partners Realty”
Manuel Flores
Sales Executive
Manuel, a vibrant Mexico City native brings more than 30 years of experience in real estate. He is a savvy broker known for his extensive market knowledge and his unmatched devotion to clients. His success is based exclusively on positive referrals. He earns the respect of his clients by working endlessly on their behalf and by always offering them honest advice. By recognizing how valuable his client’s trust is, Manuel works every day to exceed their expectations by providing quality service and clear communication. Both essential to building and maintaining lifetime relationships. Living in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit for 22 years has given Manuel the experience to work with buyers and sellers, always finding the best fit for both. As a former real estate business owner, Manuel understands the work and dedication it takes to be successful in the real estate industry.
Valentina Tomiolo
Sales Executive
Valentina is originally from Milan. She studies and graduates in her city at the Interior Design Institute. From here, she will develop a dynamic career, collaborating with the most important Italian design companies, embracing diversified roles ranging from marketing to management into luxury showrooms in Milan and abroad, enriching her skills. Today, Valentina combines her passion for Interior Design with a broad real estate perspective towards the luxury market, directing her expertise towards new business horizons. Her outgoing personality is reflected in the enthusiasm she puts into projects, always seeking to coordinate her knowledge to assist those looking for personalized and tailored housing solutions.
Nancy Bravo
Office Manager / Senior Closing Coordinator
Born in Alaska and raised in Tepic, Nayarit, Nancy had a bi-lingual and bi-cultural childhood and education. Nancy is our Riviera Partners Realty Office Manager & Closing Coordinator. Nancy has an extensive experience with the intricacies involved in managing and closing high-end real estate transactions, and is known for her professionalism and efficiency. She is fluent in Spanish and English.
Yolanda Aguilar
Assistant Office Manager / Closing Coordinator
Born and raised in Mexico City, Yolanda worked for 15 years as an Administrator in a top Mexico City Law Firm. Living in the Bay of Banderas area for the last 15 years, she has worked in Real Estate developments for the last 11 years with a reputation of professionalism and attention to detail. At Riviera Partners Realty, Yolanda is our Executive Assistant, also overseeing our Rental Business. speaking fluent Spanish and English.
Paola Hernández
Marketing Assistant
Paola was born and raised in Puerto Vallarta. She has a Bachelor degree in Tourism and Business Administration from Arkos University in Puerto Vallarta, where she acquired knowledge about the tourism industry in the region and its surrounding areas. She has worked since she was 18 years old in customer service and during the last 4 years, she has gained experience in the administrative field in various companies. Now as a part of the Riviera Partners team, she is giving her best in developing greater skills to achieve the objectives of the company, learning and growing her professional enrichment of the Real Estate world.
Silvia Casillas
Administrative Assistant
Born in Tepic, Nayarit, Silvia has lived in Valle de Banderas since she was 9. She has a degree in Styling, a profession in which she worked for 8 years. After that, she decided to venture into the tourism sector, working in hotel reservations for 2 years. In late 2022, she joined the team at Riviera Partners Realty as an administrative assistant, where she learns new things about Real Estate every day, supporting the process involved. Silvia is very happy in this job because of the excellent work environment. –”They are very kind people who help me learn more about what they do so that I can support them in the best way,”– Silvia mentions. She is a mother of two children and loves Mexican folklore as she belonged to a group for 6 years. She greatly enjoys landscapes and developing new experiences both personally and professionally.
María Andrea Magallanes
Riviera Rentals Mexico Manager
Sara García
Riviera Rentals Mexico - Sales Executive
Sara was born in Guadalajara Jalisco, raised in Puerto Vallarta. Sara studied business administration in Universidad de Guadalajara. For more than 16 years Sara has been working in elite customer service and sales, 6 of those years specializing in Punta Mita area, providing excellent luxury service is one of her main goals and aspirations with each and every guest. Constantly seeking to improve and learn, thus ensuring the best experiences possible in this tropical paradise destination. Sara is passionate about connecting with nature and enjoys all types of sports activities; hiking, paddleboarding, padel tennis, surf, soccer, yoga, meditation. She truly believes in living life to the fullest connecting body, mind and spirit with the beauty that surrounds us.
Isabel Cuevas
Executive Assistant
Isabel was born and raised in Mexico City. She studied Geography at the Facultad de Filosofía y Letras at UNAM. Later, completing a diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems focused on natural resources in 2018. At the same university at the ENALLT language school, she studied all levels of the English language, obtaining certification at the end of 2017. She has experience in her field teaching at the basic and high school levels in different schools in the private sector. She also collaborated with the INEGI for the 2009 economic census and in the 2020 population and housing census. Recently at the beginning of this year 2024 she moved to have a better quality of life here in Bahia de Banderas. She is very grateful for now be part of the team at Riviera Partners Realty in the reception area. She has experience in the area also and has a great taste for customer service and offering friendly and humane treatment to anyone who requests support. Additionally, she is part of the teaching team at Fundación Punta de Mita , to teach basic English classes for all ages and belly dance for kids. She has a great sense for the environment and protecting every living being on the planet. She really enjoys traveling and also going on adventures by hiking, biking, snorkeling and soon surfing.