Although a young Jack Damioli envisioned a golf-focused career, the Ohio native quickly discovered that working at luxury properties and providing top-notch guest experiences would be his life’s calling. For 12 years, he has led The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs—the world’s longest-running consecutive winner of both the Forbes Five-Star and the AAA Five-Diamond awards—as its president and CEO. He gives back to the industry by serving on the American Hotel & Lodging Association board of directors and co-chairing the board of the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association.
After he graduated from Ohio University in 1983, Damioli worked as the bag-room manager for the golf club at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. At the time, becoming a director of golf and securing a PGA Tour card were top of mind for Damioli—until the resort’s general manager suggested he fill a front desk position for the winter. “I figured it was a better idea than getting in my 1976 Chevy Nova and driving to Florida,” he recalls. “I fell in love with hospitality and never went back to the golf club.”
While he remains an avid golfer, Damioli’s 23-year career at The Greenbrier culminated in his holding the role of general manager from 2000 to 2006 before becoming president and general manager of The Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Florida. He joined The Broadmoor as vice president and managing director in January 2014 and was named president and CEO 14 months later, a role that includes the property’s related businesses: The Ranch at Emerald Valley, Cloud Camp, Fly Fishing Camp, The Broadmoor Seven Falls, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, and The Broadmoor Development Co.
Only seven CEOs and three private owners have held The Broadmoor’s reins over the course of its illustrious, 107-year history. “They don’t make properties like The Broadmoor anymore: a grand resort that is spread out over 5,000 acres,” Damioli says. He adds that the hotel’s campus-like setting, 315,000 square feet of function space, and many activities for attendees are vital for hosting groups, which make up 70% of the resort’s business. “Group business is the bread and butter of what makes The Broadmoor work,” he says.
Damioli says a food rescue program The Broadmoor created in partnership with the Colorado Springs hospitality community to assist the Springs Rescue Mission has been one of the most meaningful projects during his tenure. The nonprofit helps area residents overcome homelessness, poverty, and addiction. He notes, “It really offsets the Springs Rescue Mission’s budget and gives practice to their ‘Mission Catering’ program participants, so they can relaunch back into society.”
