Eric Gavin

Steady. Genuine. Endlessly people-first. Eric has always believed that great hospitality begins long before a guest checks in. It starts with the people creating the experience and making sure they feel seen, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

That belief has quietly shaped his career. While others often focus on the destination, Eric has always found purpose in the journey: building strong teams, earning trust, and creating a culture where good people are empowered to do remarkable things together.

"THE BEST EXPERIENCES DON'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT. THEY HAPPEN WHEN PEOPLE BELIEVE IN WHAT THEY'RE BUILDING AND EACH OTHER."

Hospitality has given Eric the opportunity to do what he enjoys most: bring people together. Whether it's around a table at one of his famous Sunday family dinners he whips up himself and never fails to miss, inside a hotel, or across an organization, he sees every interaction as an opportunity to make someone feel welcome, valued, and part of something bigger than themselves.

As President of Makeready, Eric leads with quiet confidence and an unwavering belief in people. He knows that creativity flourishes when trust comes first, and that the strongest brands are built by teams who feel empowered to challenge ideas, support one another, and never stop learning.

"SUCCESS ISN'T ABOUT HAVING ALL THE ANSWERS. IT'S ABOUT SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO MAKE EACH OTHER BETTER."

Outside of work, Eric finds joy in the same things that influence the way he leads: great conversations, discovering new places, sharing meals [and an occasional Blanton on the rocks], traveling, and making time for the people who matter most.

For Eric, the moments worth remembering are rarely the biggest ones. They're the real ones. The unexpected laugh. The relationship that grows over time. The simple act of making someone feel at home. Because at the end of the day, hospitality isn't just what we do. It's how we choose to show up for one another. Luckily for us, he has done just that.