Meet the Team

General Manager

Doug Polistena is an accomplished hospitality executive and business leader with more than 20 years of experience in event management, operations, and organizational leadership. He is recognized for driving operational excellence, financial performance, and community engagement across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Doug is a graduate of Marist College, where he earned degrees in Marketing and Financial Management. Early in his career, he gained experience in restaurant and catering operations and spent six months living and working in Italy with a marketing firm focused on tourism and cultural promotion. This international exposure, combined with extensive travel throughout Europe, helped shape his strategic approach to guest experience, branding, and service delivery.

Since joining the Amber Room Colonnade in 2008, Doug has overseen more than 4,000 events, including large-scale galas, corporate functions, and social celebrations. He was promoted to General Manager in 2013 after serving as Director of Sales and Operations, assuming responsibility for all operational, financial, and event-planning functions. In 2018, Doug acquired ownership and became an equal owner of the Amber Room, further strengthening his leadership role and long-term commitment to the organization's success.

Doug Polistena's leadership and impact have been recognized through several honors, including the Fairfield Business Journals' CFO of the Year (2014), Fairfield County's 40 Under 40 (2015), the Danbury Museum Community Award (2021), and the American Dream Champion Award (2025). He has played a longstanding role in the Amber Room/Ann's Place Charity Run, helping raise more than $500,000 while expanding participation to over 600 individuals. He also helped lead community-based initiatives with United Way and the New American Dream Foundation, providing thousands of meals to families and seniors in need.

In addition to his professional career, Doug is actively engaged in civic and industry leadership. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Restaurant Association, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce Executive Board and serves as a Trustee of the Danbury Museum and Historical Society. He is also a Corporator for Ives Bank, an active liaison to the National Restaurant Association in Washington, D.C., and a mentor with the DSBAC program.

Doug Polistena brings a strategic, mission-driven perspective to service, informed by hands-on executive leadership, financial oversight experience, and a deep commitment to community impact.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Doug Polistena values family and personal connection. He and his wife were married at the Amber Room Colonnade, a place that holds both professional and personal significance for him. Together, they are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, and this family-centered perspective continues to influence Doug's people-first approach to leadership and hospitality.

Executive Chef Chris Hatzis is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. His culinary career began at the early age of 13, working continuously in the restaurant industry, where he quickly discovered his passion for the culinary arts. Upon graduating from UNH, Chris followed his strong interest in food and beverage, realizing his future was in a professional kitchen.

He went on to attend the Culinary Institute of America, including postgraduate coursework, studying a wide range of disciplines such as hors d'oeuvre production, artisan bread baking, soup, stock, and sauce creation, Mediterranean cuisine, garde manger, and cake, tart, and torte production, among many other culinary specialties.

Chef Hatzis joined The Amber Room Colonnade in January 1999 as a line cook and steadily advanced through the ranks, earning promotions to Kitchen Manager and Director of Hors d'oeuvres, Pastry Chef, Sous Chef, and ultimately Executive Chef in 2008. Alongside his loyal and highly talented culinary team, Chris takes great pride in an unwavering commitment to excellence, creating everything by hand, using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients from trusted purveyors, and drawing from personal, time-honored recipes.

This dedication has helped establish The Amber Room as one of New England's most prestigious catering venues, hosting President Clinton on two occasions and earning numerous culinary awards and accolades. Outside of the kitchen, Chris is a devoted husband and father of two.

Assistant Executive Chef

Dan Baylis is the Assistant Executive Chef at The Amber Room Colonnade, joining our team in 2023. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Dan brings over 30 years of experience in the food service industry, including leadership roles as Executive Chef at several reputable restaurants across Connecticut, including Greenwich, Wilton, and Westport.

Throughout his career, Chef Dan has been passionate about bringing people together and teaching his teams the skills they need to succeed in the restaurant business. His dedication and pride in his work are evident in the exceptional food he creates.

Chef Dan lives in Newtown, CT, with his wife. He is the proud father of two daughters and a new grandfather to a granddaughter. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, watching good shows, and enjoying the outdoors.

Catering Sales Manager

Melissa is our Catering Sales Manager who joined The Amber Room team in 2022. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and brings over ten years of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with a variety of restaurants and customer-focused businesses. Known for her strong attention to detail and thoughtful approach to planning, Melissa works closely with clients to ensure their vision is brought to life and every event is both seamless and memorable.

In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym and on walks, discovering new coffee shops, and spending time with friends and family.

Banquet Manager

Ashley is our Banquet Manager at The Amber Room Colonnade and has been a valued member of our team since 2019. With a strong background in the restaurant industry, her experience includes managing a bar, private event work, and working as a short order cook. This well-rounded background gives her a deep understanding of both guest service and behind-the-scenes operations.

For every event she manages, Ashley goes above and beyond to ensure each detail is thoughtfully executed, leaving a lasting impression on guests.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys fostering cats, playing pool, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Her compassion, dedication, and people-first approach shine through in everything she does.