President/CEO
Donald E. Sodaro
donald.sodaro@hanfordhotels.com
949.640.2000 ext. 15
Mr. Donald E. Sodaro is Chairman of the Board and CEO of Hanford Hotels, Inc., bringing over 36 years of experience in the lodging industry to the company.
In 1972, Mr. Sodaro founded Sixpence Inns of America, a chain of 54 limited service properties spanning over 6 states. In 1989 the highly successful chain was sold to Motel 6, at which time Mr. Sodaro joined the Board of Directors and served on the Audit and Site Acquisition Committee until the sale in 1991. In 1995, he returned to the lodging business, purchasing and rehabilitating underperforming properties, and repositioning them with nationally recognizable brand names. These acquisitions included two Fairfield Inns by Marriott, a La Quinta, a Holiday Inn, and a Hilton. Mr. Sodaro possesses a unique vision of what it takes to successfully operate a lodging business in the United States, and it is this vision that places him among the most successful business leaders in the industry. As a visionary, Mr. Sodaro and his associates recently completed the development of what they feel will be the next innovation in the lodging industry – the highly efficient, top quality limited service hotel using state of the art technology.
Mr. Sodaro is a well-respected businessman and 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 Mr. Sodaro for his generous donation toward the construction of Pralle-Sodaro Hall. Mr. Sodaro is a major supporter and contributor to private higher education. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Performing Arts Center and is a member of the Board of the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, CA.
Mr. Sodaro holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois and is a Certified Public Accountant. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army, is an amateur photographer, and enjoys collecting vintage automobiles. One of his most recent endeavors is developing super-premium Cabernets from his vineyard in the Napa Valley, CA. To date, Sodaro Estate Winery’s offerings have won an award in every tasting entered for a total of 8 medals, including a Gold medal in the Finger Lakes International Wine Tasting Competition for its 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. Mr. Sodaro resides primarily in Newport Beach, CA with his lovely wife Deedee. Don and Deedee have two adult daughters whose families reside in Orange County.