Gretta Poole
Gretta Poole is a seasoned luxury food and beverage leader with nearly two decades of experience driving elevated guest experiences, operational excellence, and revenue growth across high-volume hospitality environments. Based in Spring Branch, Texas, she has built a reputation for developing innovative beverage programs, optimizing cost controls, and leading high-performing teams. Currently serving as Beverage Manager at The Courthouse, she was selected as part of the opening leadership team, where she played a key role in accelerating the launch timeline, implementing training systems, and designing high-margin cocktail programs that enhance both brand identity and per-guest spend.
Throughout her career, Gretta has demonstrated a strong ability to transform operations and deliver measurable results. During her tenure at Horseshoe Bay Resort, she improved inventory systems, reduced product loss, and significantly increased revenue through strategic menu engineering and event programming. She successfully redeveloped underperforming concepts, expanded catering operations, and executed large-scale events for up to 500 guests. Known for her hands-on leadership style, she prioritizes team development, accountability, and service excellence, consistently improving guest satisfaction scores while fostering a collaborative and motivated workplace culture.
Gretta’s journey into hospitality began as a practical means to support herself through school, but it quickly evolved into a lifelong passion. Over the years, she has grown into a thoughtful and empathetic leader, guided by core values of integrity, honesty, and mindfulness. Motherhood played a transformative role in shaping her leadership approach, deepening her patience and ability to connect with others. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys a grounded lifestyle centered on caring for animals and exploring homesteading in Texas. Her story reflects a commitment to continuous growth, authentic leadership, and building a meaningful career rooted in passion and purpose.
• Cigar Service
• NHA-Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NHA-CPT)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to recognizing early on that I genuinely enjoyed the work and had a natural aptitude for it, which gave me the confidence to fully commit to my career. Over time, I focused on developing patience and strengthening my leadership capabilities. Becoming a parent, particularly after having my daughter, further deepened these qualities and shaped my perspective, allowing me to lead with greater empathy, resilience, and purpose.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from a fellow manager who challenged me when I was uncertain about staying in food and beverage. She pointed out that it was clearly my strength and something I genuinely loved, and questioned why I was trying to move away from it. That conversation helped me realize I was overthinking my path, and it reinforced the importance of embracing what I’m passionate about and building a career around it rather than searching for something else.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to first define your goals clearly and understand the steps needed to achieve them—don’t hesitate to seek guidance along the way. As you grow, especially into management roles, stay open-minded and adaptable. This industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving, and you’ll work with diverse personalities and situations. Being able to adjust your approach and lead individuals with a personalized, thoughtful strategy is essential to long-term success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field has been developing patience and strong leadership skills over time. Early in my career, I focused primarily on being a hospitality professional, but that shifted significantly after becoming a parent. Over the past decade, I’ve grown into a more patient and effective leader, learning how to better support and guide others—something I initially found challenging but is now one of the most important aspects of my role.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity and honesty, as they form the foundation of how I lead and build trust with others. I also prioritize being mindful of people’s individual circumstances and perspectives, which allows me to lead with empathy. Leadership itself has become a core value for me—something I didn’t fully appreciate before, but now see as essential in guiding my actions across all areas of my life.
Locations
The Courthouse
Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657