Kathleen Cochran is resigning her position at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta.

The general manager is leaving the coastal hotel after more than four years at the helm for family reasons. Shashi Poudyal, who previously headed the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, is Bacara’s new general manager.

“It was probably one of the highlights of my career, bringing the beauty of the Bacara back and opening up its doors for all of Santa Barbara to enjoy,” Cochran told the Business Times. “I’m so thrilled to be leaving the resort in very capable hands.”

When Cochran took the job in 2011 after managing hotels in Coronado for more than two decades, she was tasked with making the hotel more accessible. Cochran, who has spent close to 40 years in the hospitality business, formed stronger ties with the community by hosting more local events and partnering with various organizations.

During her time at Bacara, the resort had the highest occupancy and revenue in its 15-year history, the company said. 

Ohana Real Estate Investors, along with Rockpoint Group, acquired the 78-acre property in 2011 for around $104 million from ADCO, a New York-based real estate and merchant banking company. Ohana brought in a new management team and spent about $5 million on renovations.

Pacific Hospitality Group, based in Irvine, purchased Bacara from Ohana Real Estate Investors and Rockpoint Group in early 2013 for an undisclosed amount.

With 360 rooms and 629 employees, Bacara is one of the largest hotels and biggest employers in the Tri-Counties.

• Contact Alex Kacik at akacik@pacbiztimes.com.