Karl Oates

Karl’s journey started approximately 8,000 miles away in Cape Town, South Africa, where he lived for the first 19 years of his life. His next stop: Georgia - the place he’s happy to call home. The Georgia State University graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in hospitality and quickly began making a name for himself in the industry, starting as a General Manager for Marriott International before finding his way to McKibbon.

As Vice President of Lifestyle Hotels, Karl has strategic leadership responsibility and management oversight for McKibbon’s lifestyle portfolio, which currently includes three operating Aloft Hotels (in Asheville, Greenville, and Tallahassee), and two AC Hotels in the pipeline in North Carolina. In addition, Karl actively seeks opportunities to partner with outside owners to develop and manage lifestyle hotel projects in key urban locations.

Guided by his instinctive nature and inspired by his father, Karl believes that business and relationships can’t be separated. It’s why, as a leader, he tries his best every day to cultivate a work environment that’s supportive, collaborative and downright fun. He’s motivated by positivity, his four children and his wife, Carla. A punctual man, Karl never travels without his watch, even if he’s headed on vacation to Cape San Blas, his family’s favorite stateside destination. A sports lover (especially rugby), Karl’s competitive, team-oriented spirit comes through in everything he does.

Experience

McKibbon Hospitality, 2001-Present

• Regional Vice President of Operations
• Director of Operations
• General Manager

Marriott International, 1991-2001

• General Manager
  

Awards

• Marriott S.E. Region General Manager of the Year, 2003
  
• Southeast Region Hotel of the Year, 2003
  
• Opening Hotel of the Year, 2001