NEWS

After an extensive seven million dollar renovation our newly designed guest rooms are carefully crafted, thoughtfully decorated and offer a level of comfort that rivals fine resorts and hotels around the world. Savoy Restaurant and Lounge breaks the mold of "the hotel restaurant." Savoy features creative interpretations of classic dishes as well as a cross cultural menu that will excite and enliven your taste buds. Join us in the Wine Salon to sample some of California's best wines.

President/CEO
Donald E. Sodaro
donald.sodaro@hanfordhotels.com
(949) 640-2000 ext. 15.

Donald E. Sodaro is Chairman of the Board and CEO of Hanford Hotels, Inc. He leads the company with more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

In 1972, Sodaro founded Sixpence Inns of America, a chain of limited-service hotel properties across six states. In 1989 the highly successful chain was sold to Motel 6, at which time he joined the Board of Directors and served on the Audit and Site Acquisition Committee until 1991.

In 1995, he returned to the hospitality business and founded Hanford Hotels, Inc. with his longtime business partner William Caine Jr. Sodaro’s keen eye for business opportunities places him among the most successful business leaders in the hotel industry.

Recently, Sodaro merged his business savvy with his Italian heritage. In 1998 he purchased a vineyard in Napa Valley and began developing super-premium Cabernets. To date, the Sodaro Estate Winery has won eight medals, including a Gold medal for its first wine produced, a 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. In February 2009, its flagship wine, the Sodaro Estate Blend, won a Double-Gold at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Tasting Competition, where his Felicity Cabernet Sauvignon was also awarded Best of Class.

Sodaro is also a well-respected leader in the community. In 1988, he was elected to the Board of Trustees of Chapman University in Orange, CA where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Additionally, he serves on the Committees of Compensation and Presidential Assessment, Enrollment and Student Life, Finance, Budget and Audit, Investment, Real Estate, University Relations and Athletics. In 1991, the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity of Chapman University honored Sodaro for his generous donation toward the construction of Pralle-Sodaro Hall. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Board of the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, CA.

Sodaro holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He was honorably discharged from the United States Army, is an amateur photographer and enjoys collecting vintage automobiles. Sodaro resides primarily in Newport Beach, CA with his wife Deedee. Together they have two adult daughters whose families reside in Orange County.

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