The DeSoto is pleased to welcome Jeff Kmiec as the new managing director of the 127-year-old iconic hotel located at 15 E. Liberty St. in historic downtown Savannah, Ga. Kmiec comes to The DeSoto from The Greenbrier Resort, a National Historic Landmark, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., where he served as president and general manager for seven years.

In his new position as managing directing at The DeSoto, Kmiec will oversee all operations of the historic hotel and its staff. This includes direct management and oversight of the multimillion-dollar renovation currently underway and total transition from a Hilton branded property into one of Sotherly Hotels’ signature independent properties. Once complete, The DeSoto will unveil a number of new upgrades to its 246 guestrooms, a new rooftop pool & cabana bar, a gourmet to go coffee bar, and two new chef-driven restaurants, the 1540 Room and Edgar’s Proof & Provision.

“How lucky we are to live in a city like Savannah, a first-class destination and home to the friendliest people in the South. I’m honored to be here and in a position to help share Savannah’s beauty and prestige with our friends, neighbors and visitors to our city,” said Kmiec. “We’re excited to show Savannah and the world what we’ve been up to and on August 1, The DeSoto is going to shine like she never has before.”  

A distinguished industry veteran, Kmiec’s dense resume of experience and accolades most recently includes leading The Greenbrier Resort out of financial debt and back to profitability by introducing and implementing comprehensive marketing, sales, public relations and operational excellence strategies. As president and general manager, he successfully led his team at The Greenbrier to open five new food and beverage outlets; the Windsor Club, a concierge level; the Casino Club, a 103,000 square-foot venue; a Sports Performance Center, a 50,000 square-foot venue and home to the New Orleans Saints training camp; a 2,500-seat tennis stadium; and a 470-seat chapel. Kmiec also helped to execute the resort’s annual PGA TOUR Greenbrier Classic, which was voted the number one TOUR event by PGA TOUR players in its second year.

Originally from Chicago, IL., Kmiec graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh. He currently lives in Savannah, Ga.