Gary Tharaldson, CEO & Founder, began his hospitality career by purchasing his first hotel in Valley City, North Dakota, in 1982. Following this acquisition, he expanded into developing hotels across regional markets. In 1987, he sold nine Super 8 motels, generating a net profit of over $5 million.

He continued to acquire and develop hotels, eventually growing his portfolio to more than 350 properties. This success earned him a place on the Forbes 400 in 1997. In 2006, Tharaldson sold 140 hotels to Whitehall Global Real Estate (a division of Goldman Sachs) for approximately $1.25 billion. Prior to this transaction, his company was the largest privately held hotel company in the United States.

Tharaldson has been featured in numerous national publications. In 2010, he received the inaugural Hunter Conference Award for Excellence and Inspiration, which recognizes an owner who exemplifies high standards in leadership, citizenship, and innovation, and serves as an inspiration to the industry, according to Hotel Business magazine.

Today, Gary and his companies own 90 operating hotels, and he continues to develop new properties nationwide.