Colin V. Reed has served as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors since January 1, 2023 and as a director of the Company since April 2001. Reed previously served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from April 2001 through December 2022, and was first elected Chairman of the Board of Directors in May 2005. Until November 2008, and again from November 2012 to March 2015, Reed also served as President of the Company.
Upon joining predecessor company Gaylord Entertainment, Reed led a strategic reorganization of the Company’s holdings which ultimately resulted in a portfolio of hotel assets under the Gaylord Hotels brand. This holding now includes five of the top 10 largest non-gaming resort and convention center hotels in the United States. In addition, Reed led the Company through its conversion to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in 2012 and oversaw a major strategic investment by Atairos and NBCUniversal in 2022 to bolster the growth of Opry Entertainment Group.
Prior to joining the Company, Reed was chief financial officer and a member of the three-executive Office of the President for Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. He joined that company in 1977 as a financial controller for its former Holiday Inn International Division.
From 1999-2001 he served on the board of directors of Harrah’s Entertainment. Reed previously served on the Bass Pro Shops and Rite Aid board of directors. He currently serves as lead director for First Horizon National Corporation. Additionally, Reed is a co-founder of the Nashville Tourism Strategic Planning Group which he developed in partnership with Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation CEO Butch Spryidon in August 2022.