Richard C. Kessler
| Richard C. Kessler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Savannah, Georgia |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of hotel companies |
Richard C. Kessler is an entrepreneur in the field of hotel development and operations. Kessler has been Chairman and CEO of The Kessler Enterprise, Inc. since 1984. He is also Former Chairman, President and CEO, Days Inn of America, Inc. and Former Chairman of Lutheran Brotherhood.
In 1984, Kessler founded The Kessler Enterprise which consists of several wholly owned subsidiaries consisting of development and operational companies. Some of these projects include The Kessler Collection of themed hotels and resorts, the 500-acre Silverwood Plantation residential community, the 1,000-acre Georgia North International Industrial Park, and commercial land developments.
Kessler was born in Savannah, Georgia and is a descendant of the Salzburgers, a group of Lutherans from Bavaria who came to America in 1732 seeking religious freedom.
Kessler holds bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial engineering ad operations research from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is married to Martha Jane Wilson of Durham, N.C. The couple has two grown children, Mark and Laura, and three grandchildren.
At the age of 23, Kessler became the right hand to real estate developer Cecil B. Day and help found Days Inn of America in August 1970. From 1972 to 1975, Kessler founded and led five real estate development and operational companies. In May 1975, at age 29, Kessler became President and CEO of Days Inns, and one year later, Chairman. The chain was sold in 1984 and Kessler began his own independent ventures.
The Kessler Collection owns, operates and creates hotels, each with its own unique theme. All of the hotels except the Beaver Creek Lodge are part of the Marriott Autograph Collection Hotels marketing program, central reservation system and national sales, public relations offices, and technical services
Kessler is the Founder and Chairman of the New Ebenezer Retreat and Conference Center in New Ebenezer, Ga. Founded in 1736, the township of New Ebenezer was settled by a group of Lutheran Salzburgers seeking a new beginning and a place of religious freedom. Much of the town was destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary War and later by Union soldiers in the Civil War. In 1972 Kessler spearheaded efforts to rebuild the essence of the town. New Ebenezer, has been reconstructed to resemble the original 1700’s township. The new Ebenezer Retreat and Conference Center has space for group meetings of up to 400 people opening summer of 1976. Each year 25,000 guests can participate in tennis, swimming, canoeing, volleyball, basketball, and hiking. Kessler retired from the Board after serving 30 years as Chairman.
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