Wayne West IIIPresident, Newport Hospitality Group
📧 waynew@nhghotels.com
🌐 Newport Hospitality Group
As President of Newport Hospitality Group, Wayne West III leads the company’s expansive portfolio, ensuring each hotel operates at peak performance. With over 40 years in the hospitality industry, Wayne is dedicated to maximizing guest loyalty, associate engagement, and profitability. Known for his hands-on leadership style, he fosters collaborative thinking and teamwork, empowering teams to grow and excel.
Wayne’s career began in entry-level hotel operations, where he worked his way up through multiple General Manager roles before advancing to Vice President of Operations, Chief Operating Officer, and now President. His nationwide experience across IHG, Marriott, Hilton, and boutique properties gives him a well-rounded leadership approach across all hotel disciplines. His contributions to the industry were recognized in 2022 when he received the prestigious Kemmons Wilson Award.
An East Carolina University alumnus and Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) through the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Wayne has held influential positions in the industry. He has served on Marriott’s Owners Council and various IHG committees, including Food & Beverage, Operations, and Standards. In 2020-2021, he chaired the IHG Owners Association, further solidifying his impact on hospitality leadership.
When he’s not leading Newport’s hotels, Wayne enjoys a peaceful lakeside life in North Carolina with his wife, Marianne. In a town with more boats than cars and no traffic lights, they embrace the serenity of the water, where life moves at a timeless pace.
