Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP) is a leading lodging and hospitality real estate investment trust that specializes in upscale convention center resorts and country music entertainment experiences. RHP’s core holdings, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center; and Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, are five of the top ten largest non-gaming convention center hotels in the United States based on total indoor meeting space. These convention center resorts operating under the Gaylord Hotels brand, along with two adjacent ancillary hotels, are managed by Marriott International and represent a combined total of 10,412 rooms and more than 2.8 million square feet of total indoor and outdoor meeting space in top convention and leisure destinations across the country. RHP also owns a 70% controlling ownership interest in Opry Entertainment Group (OEG), which is composed of entities owning a growing collection of iconic and emerging country music brands, including the Grand Ole Opry; Ryman Auditorium, WSM 650 AM; Ole Red and Circle, a country lifestyle media network RHP owns in a joint venture with Gray Television, Nashville-area attractions managed by Marriott, and Block 21, a mixed-use entertainment, lodging, office and retail complex, including the W Austin Hotel and the ACL Live at Moody Theater, located in downtown Austin, Texas. RHP operates OEG as part of a taxable REIT subsidiary. Visit RymanHP.com for more information.
Inclusion through action.
At Ryman Hospitality Properties, we give each other permission to bring our whole selves to the workplace. OPEN was conceived in 2021 by RHP’s employee-led Diversity Council to foster inclusiveness, celebrate individuality, and empower teammates to grow, together. From behind the scenes to the big stage, we are strengthening a culture that embraces new ideas and shared experiences to create positive change. We are OPEN. Learn more about this community at rhpdiversity.com.
Founder and CEO, EQ Partners
Founder and CEO, EQ Partners, a private consulting firm. Ms. Bhasin has served as an independent director of Shutterstock, Inc. since August 2019 and as an independent director of Singapore-based PropertyGuru Group since August 2021. Ms. Bhasin previously served as Chief Business Officer, Magic Leap, Inc., a digital technology company, from 2015 to 2019. Prior to such time, Ms. Bhasin was Senior Vice-President of Corporate Strategy and Business Development at media company SiriusXM Radio, a position she had held since 2010. From 2007 until 2010 Ms. Bhasin was General Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Personalization at technology company Dell, Inc., and from 2004 to 2007 she served as Vice President of Business Development at the media company EMI Music, North America. Ms. Bhasin’s experience in the technology, media and entertainment industries provide her with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by our Entertainment business segment.
Vice President, Global Business Group-Americas, Meta Platforms, Inc., (formerly Facebook, Inc.)
Vice President, Global Business Group-Americas, Meta Platform Inc. (formerly Facebook, Inc.) since May 2023. Mr. Bowles served as Facebook’s VP, Global Marketing Solutions from January 2020 to May 2023 and as Facebook’s Head of Global Publisher Sales and Operations from October 2015 to January 2020. Mr. Bowles previously served as: CEO of media company GrabMedia, March 2011 to September 2015; SVP, Integrated Marketing & Brand Solutions, of media company BET, April 2007 to December 2010; Vice President Sales, Publisher, AOL Black Voices, of media and technology company AOL, April 2005 to April 2007; Vice President, Global Media Group, of entertainment company Time Warner Inc., January 2004 to April 2005. Mr. Bowles brings operating experience in large, complex organizations as a result of his service as a senior executive of public and private companies. Mr. Bowles’ experience at digital media and technology companies provides him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by our Entertainment business segment.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Ryman Hospitality Properties
Our President & Chief Executive Officer since January 2023; our President from March 2022 to January 2023; our President and Chief Financial Officer from March 2015 to March 2022; our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, June 2009 to March 2015; our Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer, June 2007 to March 2015; our Executive Vice President and President of our ResortQuest International subsidiary from March 2004 to June 2007; our Senior Vice President of Marketing, August 2002 to March 2004. Prior to joining us, Mr. Fioravanti served in a variety of roles with gaming company Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.
Private Investor, Former Governor of Tennessee
Private Investor, since 2019. From 2011 to 2019 Mr. Haslam served as of the Governor of the State of Tennessee. From 2003 until 2011 Mr. Haslam served as the Mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee. From 1999 until 2001 Mr. Haslam served as Chief Executive Officer of the e-commerce and catalog division of retailer Saks Fifth Avenue. From 1980 until 1999 Mr. Haslam served in a variety of roles with travel center operator Pilot Corporation, eventually serving as President.
Former Co-Chief Executive Officer, Tanium
Director, asset management firm Ariel Investments, LLC, since March 2021. Director, Warner Bros. Discovery, media company, since April 2022. Mr. Merchant has served as a Private Consultant, since September 2020, and Mr. Merchant served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Tanium, a privately held endpoint security and systems management company, from June 2019 to September 2020. Mr. Merchant has served as a Private Consultant, since September 2020; Co-Chief Executive Officer of Tanium, a privately-held endpoint security and systems management company, from June 2020. From May 2017 to June 2019, Mr. Merchant served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Tanium. Previously, Mr. Merchant was an independent consultant to WndrCo, a new media and technology company, and before that, he served as Chief Financial Officer of DreamWorks Animation SKG. Mr. Merchant has also served in a variety of roles with DirecTV, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays Capital and Ford Motor Company. Mr. Merchant’s extensive technology and media and entertainment industry experience offers a unique perspective as the Company continues to develop its media and entertainment business.
Chief Operating Officer, Kiswe
Pantoya currently serves as Chief Operating Officer, Kiswe, an interactive video streaming company, since July 2023. Pantoya previously served as Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Strategy, an interactive fan-controlled sports league, from July 2020 to July 2023. Ms. Pantoya served as Non-Executive Partner, Delta Partners Group, an investment and advisory firm, from June 2019 to July 2023. Since January 2019, Ms. Pantoya has served as a senior advisor to multiple early-stage companies, and from October 2020 to June 2022 Ms. Pantoya served as Chief Financial Officer of Omnichannel Acquisition Corp., a consumer-technology focused SPAC. Ms. Pantoya previously served as SVP & Head of Mobile & Direct-to-Customer for the National Basketball Association from January 2015 to October 2018. From April 2012 to January 2015, Ms. Pantoya served as VP of Corporate Development and Strategy for Verizon Communications. From June 2008 to April 2012, Ms. Pantoya served as Regional Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for Cox Communications. Ms. Pantoya brings extensive digital media and entertainment industry expertise to the Board.
President and CEO, Heartland Media, LLC and President and CEO of Allen Media Broadcasting
President and Chief Executive Officer, Heartland Media, LLC, a television broadcasting company, since June 2013; President and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Media Broadcasting, a television broadcasting company, since February 2020; President and Chief Operating Officer, Gray Television, Inc., a television broadcasting company, September 2002 to June 2013; Executive Vice President, Gray Television, Inc., 1996 to September 2002; Chief Executive Officer, Bull Run Corporation (now Southern Community Newspapers, Inc.), a media and publishing company, 1992 to December 2005. Mr. Prather’s history as a media executive provides experience in the media and entertainment industries. Mr. Prather also has considerable corporate governance experience through his service on the boards of other public companies.
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ryman Hospitality Properties
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2023; our Chief Executive Officer from April 2001 to January 2023; Chairman of our Board from May 2005; our President from November 2012 to March 2015 and from April 2001 to November 2008; Member, three-executive Office of the President, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., a gaming company, May 1999 to April 2001; Chief Financial Officer, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., April 1997 to April 2001. Mr. Reed served in a variety of other management positions with Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. and its predecessor, hotel operator Holiday Corp., from 1977 to April 1997. Mr. Reed’s day-to-day leadership as Chairman of our Board and CEO, as well as his many years of experience in the hospitality industry, provides him with deep knowledge of our operations and gives him unique insights into the challenges and opportunities we face.
Retired Chairman and CEO, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
Mr. Roth previously served as Executive Chairman (from January 2021 to December 2021), The Interpublic Group of Companies, a global marketing services company; Chairman (from July 2004 to January 2021) and Chief Executive Officer (from January 2005 to January 2021), The Interpublic Group of Companies; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, The MONY Group Inc. (and its predecessor entities), a financial services company, 1997 to 2004. Mr. Roth brings a variety of experience to the Board, including the areas of capital markets and corporate governance.