David M. Duda
Regional Director of Operations / Area General Manager
Regional Director of Operations / Area General Manager for SpringHill Suites by Marriott & Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
As Regional Director of Operations, David provides above property support and oversight to the various properties outside of his base location in Pigeon Forge. David focuses on his property’s financial performances, revenue management, guest satisfaction, and rolling out brand standards including any new initiatives relating to the brand. As the Area General Manager for his Pigeon Forge locations, David’s goal is to nurture and provide promotional opportunities, along with the Regional oversight and support to his Hotel Manager’s that supervise each property.
David’s hospitality journey began in 1982 with an IHG full service hotel, where he first started in the food & beverage department. By 1987, David worked his way through the ranks to become the evening Manager on Duty of the 410 room property he started his career at. Continuing to work his way through the company, David was moved to another IHG property within the organization in 1992 to become the Guest Services Manager for a brief time and then onto the Assistant General Manager role in 1994. In 1996, David was asked to open a new IHG property within the organization and to become the General Manager. His team won multiple Torchbearer awards – 1997 -1999, Newcomer of the Year - 1996, Best Breakfast Bar - 1997, and carried a three month stint as the number one IHG property in the world by grade in quality, service and guest relations - 1998. David was asked to move back to a full service IHG in 1999 and continued his General Manager role until it changed from IHG to Marriott in 2013 when he joined M Gibson Hotels. During the construction phase, in 2019, of our new sister property the Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites, David was asked to take on a dual General Manager role for both the Fairfield and SpringHill Pigeon Forge locations. After a successful tenure with multiple property’s, his role was then expanded to provide above property support to other Marriott locations as a Regional Director within the GHMI organization in 2020.
David’s hospitality accreditation includes the American Hotel & Lodging certifications for Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and Certified Rooms Division Executive (CRDE). David enjoys spending time with his family and following his two adult children’s career path in education and counseling as they work with children and teenagers to help put them on a life path for success. Their influence is not just shared in the classrooms, but also on the courts as coaches to share their skills and success’s in basketball and lacrosse.
Accomplishments & Affiliations
Career Accomplishments & Affiliations
- Recognized as a Top Hotel Management Company by Hotel Management magazine in 2012 & 2013
- Tennessee Hotelier of the Year Award 2011
- American Hotel & Lodging Association Leadership for Tennessee Award 2012
- Chairman & President, Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association (3 Years)
- Chairman & Board Member of Pellissippi Tourism Hotel & Culinary School (8 Years)
- Co-Chairman Tennessee Hospitality Education East Council (5 Years)
- Chairman of Tennessee Tourism Round-table (2 years)
- Chairman Governors Conference Tourism (2 years)
- Chairman Tennessee Education and Award Committee (10 years)
- Board Member Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership (3 years)
- Board Member Marketing & Communication Committee Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership (3 years)
- Board Member Helen Ross McNabb – Federal Programs Unemployment & Assistance (3 years)
- Hotelier of the Year Award – Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association (2000)
- University of Tennessee Advisory Board Member of Tourism & Lodging Program (3 years)
- Most Valuable Volunteer Award State of Tennessee by American Hotel and Lodging Association (2001)
- The Tennessee Hospitality Education Council 2001 Industry Leadership Award (2001)
- Knoxville Tourism Alliance - Knoxville Board Director (5 Years)
- Chairman of All Saints Men’s Ministry
- Knights of Columbus Member – 4 Degree Worthy Sir Knight
- SKAL Club International Member – 10 years
Food & Beverage Development
Food & Beverage Developments
Dobbs House Inc. – Upscale theme restaurant division. Expansion team leader in Tennessee & Texas
San Francisco - Theme restaurant development. Co-owner & operator
McShea’s Restaurant- High quality neighborhood concept – CEO/Owner
RMD- Hooters Investment Group Partner
Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille – Partner, developer
Hotels Developed, Managed or Owned
Hotels Developed, Owned, and/or Managed by Gibson Hotel Management & Development, Inc:
In each of the hotels below, Michael Gibson & Gibson Hotel Management & Development, Inc. associates played an central role in site selection, capitol pool structuring, branding, construction expertise, and day to day operations management.
| Hampton Inn Pigeon Forge, TN Hilton Garden Inn Myrtle Beach, SC Hilton Garden Inn Knoxville, TN Hampton Inn Cedar Bluff - Knoxville, TN (Acquisition) Hampton Inn & Suites Smyrna, TN Hilton Garden Inn Smyrna, TN Courtyard by Marriott Alcoa, TN Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cookeville, TN Fairfield Inn by Marriott Owensboro, KY Fairfield Inn by Marriott Alcoa, TN SpringHill Suites by Marriott Pigeon Forge, TN Holiday Inn Knoxville, TN (Acquisition) Holiday Inn Express Alcoa, TN Holiday Inn Express Powell, TN (Acquisition)
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Managing Partner |