Visit Mobile (Ala.) Taps David Clark for President/CEO

March 22, 2017

The Board of Directors of Visit Mobile (Ala.) have tapped hospitality professional, David Clark, to fill the role of president and CEO, beginning April 1.

Clark joins The Visit Mobile team with 29 years of hospitality, lodging, tourism and leadership pf which 27 of those years working and living in Coastal Alabama.

“I am excited to join the Visit Mobile team and stakeholders to continue to raise the bar with promoting tourism, lodging and positioning Mobile as one of the South’s leading destinations,” Clark said.

He added, “I believe that Visit Mobile is about sales, service and experience and engaging all stakeholders to promote sustainability of our great City. We will continue to aim higher to create an image of leisure so tourists will not only come to visit, but will want to return to live, work and play in Mobile. I look forward to teaming with all stakeholders and am thankful for the opportunity.”

Prior to joining the Visit Mobile Team, Clark worked for Spectrum Resorts for four years, serving as general manager of The Beach Club in Gulf Shores, an upscale resort community.

The resort welcomed leisure guests and families throughout North America and was recognized by Trip Advisor as a Top Family Friendly beach resort the last three years and was awarded Business of The Year for 2016 by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber.

Prior to working with Spectrum Resorts, Clark worked with Marriott International for 25 years; 23 of those years at The Grand Hotel Marriott Resort Golf Club & Spa in Point Clear.

Clark and his team positioned The Grand as one of the largest destination resorts in the Southeast by targeting group conventions, leisure and family business. Clark served in a variety of roles, including head golf professional, director of golf, resident manager and the last eight years as General Manager.

Clark directed strategic business objectives to the highest brand standards in lodging, associate and guest satisfaction, quality assurance, sales, profits and capital planning including $75 million in facility improvements.

Clark’s team led Marriott International’s Resort Division to the #1 Overall Guest Satisfaction ranking in North America for six consecutive years while serving 400,000 guests annually. Clark teamed with 700 associates during his leadership role at The Grand.

Clark is stepping into the position left open when the previous president and CEO, Al Hutchinson, took the top spot at Visit Baltimore six months ago. 

 

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MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.