I believe in full disclosure. My first memories of traveling with my parents involve staying at the Rodd Hotels & Resorts, whether it was a business trip to Yarmouth, Moncton, or Miramichi that we (my mother, sister, and I) tagged along with dad, or the Rodd Royalty Inn on a family trip to Prince Edward Island. So, when I had the chance to sit down and chat with Mark Rodd, President of Rodd Hotels & Resorts, I jumped at it. During my conversation with Mark, many of these family memories came back to mind and got me in the feels, as I have experienced Rodd’s Family legacy firsthand. Spotlight on Business: Before we start talking about the Rodd Hotels & Resorts brand, can you tell a little about yourself and what you like to do in your free time? Mark Rodd: I spend a lot of time in the boardroom, but when I’m off the clock, I’m usually on the North Shore, walking on the beach or out on the water. That’s where I reset and think clearly. I stay involved in the communities we serve because it matters. I’m on the advisory board of the Mi’kmaq-owned Matnaggewinu Development Corporation (MDC). They’re doing important work in Indigenous tourism and hospitality, and I’m proud to support that. To me, leadership means more than growth. It’s about using your seat at the table to open doors, drive progress and move the industry forward.
Spotlight on Business: What roles have you had in the business throughout your professional career? How have these helped develop you for your current role as President and CEO? Mark Rodd: I was raised in the middle of it. Hospitality wasn’t just a business; it was our family’s way of life. From a young age, I was involved wherever I was needed; dishwashing, cleaning rooms, and helping out on the property. That experience was foundational and hands-on. It taught me the importance of every role in this industry and has shaped how I lead today. When I officially stepped into a leadership role in 2009, I knew the business from the inside out. But leading it requires a different mindset, one that balances tradition with transformation. My role now is to honour the legacy while building something that’s built to last for the next generation. That means evolving how we work, how we serve, and how we grow, without losing what made us trusted in the first place. Spotlight on Business: Wallace and Sally Rodd could not have imagined that the cottages they built next to their family home would be the start of the Rodd Family Legacy. Can you take us through the early years? Mark Rodd: It started with a need. In 1935, tourism on Prince Edward Island was growing, but there weren’t many options for travellers looking for a comfortable place to stay near the water. My grandparents
To me, leadership means more than growth. It’s about using your seat at the table to open doors, drive progress and move the industry forward. ” “
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