Bob McDonald

BIOGRAPHY

1990 HTM/HRIM Graduate, Bob McDonald brings over 35 years of expertise in all areas of hotel, resort, food and beverage, and conference center management. He has served for many years as a hospitality project developer, and a Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer for several of the top management companies in the nation. In addition, he was an award-winning General Manager of resorts, branded hotels, and independent boutique hotels. Bob has successfully developed, opened, converted, and transitioned hospitality properties throughout the country.  His hospitality development and projects has created boutiques and destination locations in Aspen area, Washington D.C., Ohio, Philadelphia, and most recently southern Virginia.   His experience includes working closely with Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG, as well as independent hotels and resorts. 

Bob’s passion for the spirit of the industry takes him into working with communities and cities on hospitality property development and workforce development.   His work in Virginia has produced boutique projects like the Bee Hotel, Holbrook Hotel, Laurel Hotel, and the upcoming three boutique properties in Roanoke, Virginia. He is working on a culinary lab, and two Virginia community hospitality development studies.

He proudly serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Pamplin Business school’s Hospitality and Tourism School at Virginia Tech and a member of Hilton’s Circle of Leadership.

Bob is the proud father of four amazing children, with one of those four, a  Hokie graduate.    When Bob is not spending time with his children you will find him hiking, running, or giving his time back to his alma mater.  He also commits time to cancer and AIDS cure research fund raising initiatives as these have affected members of his family.  

TEACHING

Hospitality Real Estate and Asset Management

EDUCATION

Bob holds a 1990 BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Virginia Tech. In addition, he has a BA in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from the Caesar Ritz College in Switzerland. 

PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Previous Teaching Experience:

12 years as an adjunct professor of Hospitality Management for the University of Missouri.

• Bar and Beverage Management
• Hospitality Financial Managemen
• Hospitality Operations Management
• Introduction to Hospitality Management
• Hospitality Sales and Marketing Management

Industry Experience:

• 2023-Current: Managing Director Murphy Asset Management and COO of Vantage Hospitality
• 2018-2023: Senior V.P. of Operations – Marshall/TPG Hotels and Resorts
• 2016-2018: Corporate Director of Operations for Parks Hospitality
• 2011-2016: V.P. Operations and General Manager – Chesterfield Hottels
• 2005-2011: Regional Operations and General Manager – Kinseth Hospitality
• 2003-2005: Project and General Manager – Smith Fork Ranch – Boutique Guest Ranch Development
• 2001-2003: General Manager Holiday Inn Select and Conference Center
• 1997-2001: Director of Operations Aspen’s Silvertree Hotel Resort, Condos, and Conference Center
• 1993-2007: Director of Rooms – Marriott Wardman Park and Conference Center Washington DC (formerly the Sheraton Wardman Park)