Doug Manchester

Doug Manchester
Doug Manchester in 2019
Born
Douglas Frederick Manchester

(1942-06-03) June 3, 1942 (age 82)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationSan Diego State University (B.A.)
OccupationBusinessman
Political partyRepublican

Douglas Frederick Manchester (born June 3, 1942) is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the former chairman of Manchester Financial Group, past chairman and publisher of The San Diego Union-Tribune, and an unsuccessful nominee to become United States Ambassador to the Bahamas.[1][2] Manchester, who prefers to be called "Papa Doug",[3] has built some of the tallest hotels and office buildings in San Diego, including Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina and Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, and is credited as a driving force behind the development of the San Diego Convention Center.[3] Manchester also built the triple 5-star Grand Del Mar Resort & Spa, which was sold to Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in 2015, and he maintains a minority ownership.[4] Manchester also built the Torrey Executive Centre, Manchester Financial Building, Whitetail Lodge and Golf Club, Fairmont Austin and is currently building the Manchester Pacific Gateway.[5]

Manchester is a longtime supporter of conservative causes and Republican candidates.[6][7] His financial support for a 2008 California constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage resulted in some calls for a boycott of his hotels.[8] He was an early financial supporter of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and donated $1 million to his inauguration.[9] His subsequent nomination as ambassador to the Bahamas was controversial and was eventually withdrawn.[10][11]

  1. ^ "Manchester Financial Group". manchesterfinancialgroup.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  2. ^ Union-Tribune, San Diego. "$85M deal to combine U-T, LA Times". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  3. ^ a b Light, La Jolla. "10 QUESTIONS: Doug Manchester always wants to be startin' something". lajollalight.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  4. ^ "Manchester Sells Majority Stake in Grand Del Mar Resort". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  5. ^ Times, Del Mar. "Doug Manchester adds to portfolio with 1,035-room Fairmont Austin hotel". delmartimes.net. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cohen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Davies was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hernandez was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Moran was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference NARA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Manchester's political contributions, ambassador nod are subject of criminal probe". The San Diego Union-Tribune. May 15, 2021.