Jim has spent his entire three-decade career in manufacturing, in products ranging from paints and plastics to food and bourbon. His focus has been in engineering (he holds a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering), operations, and management. He’s a veteran of such companies as Ralston- Purina and General Mills, and he’s currently responsible for all store-brand manufacturing of dairy and beverage products for a major regional US grocery chain. Jim has published over 175 articles for Forbes, covering all facets of manufacturing. He’s explored everything in his column there from the success stories of numerous American manufacturers to the amazing innovations in our advanced technologies, such as 3D printing and artificial intelligence. Jim is married and has two teenage sons, and resides in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area. He’s an avid cyclist, runner, and reader. He and his two boys are heavily involved in Scouting, with Jim serving as their Troop’s Scoutmaster.

Jeff David, a recipient of Hotelier of the Year, has a pedigree that spans over twenty-five years and is a leader in the industry in opening luxury properties. With the help of pioneer mentors such as Chip Conley (AirBnB) and Scott Case (Priceline/Upside) he has created a company based around the mastering the paradox of balancing human leadership with modern day innovation. His current projects include creating a floating luxury hotel in Miami, a membership based wellness sanctuary in Nashville, and resort with social impact in Haiti. It can be found at www.jeffdavidhospitality.com

Jeff David’s expertise in the hotel start-up space credits him in opening almost $1.5 billion dollars worth of high profile luxury assets in Aspen, Anguilla, Times Square, Nantucket and Washington DC. Best known for having a constant score of over 95% in employee satisfaction, David leverages his business acumen with emotional intelligence.
David helped lead the resurrection of the infamous Watergate Hotel, which closed its doors in 2008. He had re-opened the historic Knickerbocker Hotel in 2014 on 42nd and Broadway, the address known for being the busiest corner in the world with 60 million pedestrians a year. David spent six years as GM with Viceroy Hotels & Resorts, he was instrumental in opening and operating several properties in the company’s portfolio. During his term as GM of the Viceroy Anguilla, David oversaw the launch and operations of the $550 million flagship property. David also regionally managed the Viceroy Palm Springs in California, and in 2009 led the opening of the Viceroy in Aspen/Snowmass, the companies first ski resort.

David’s experience also includes nine years with Four Seasons’ Hotels & Resorts starting in 1992 at The Regent Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles where he started as a dishwasher while attending UCLA. He was an integral part of the management at Four Seasons, Boston, where he helped achieve the property’s recognition as the only Five-Star, Five-Diamond hotel in New England in 1999. Additionally, David served as the Food and Beverage Director at Rosewood Hotels and Resorts’ Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.