John Oppenheimer is founder and chairman of Columbia Hospitality. Columbia Hospitality operates 102 properties in 12 states including hotels and resorts, residential, golf, distinctive venues, and restaurants and bars. In addition to launching Columbia Hospitality in 1995 (to manage Bell Harbor International Conference Center for the Port of Seattle), John has also founded five successful private hospitality-related businesses.
John was a founding general partner of Seattle Hotel Group, the investment group that developed the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Seattle.
John currently sits on the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Board and is co-chair of the foundation. He also serves on the 5th Ave Theatre board. Examples of John’s past non-profit boards include Chair of the Woodland Park Zoo, Chair of YPO Gold, among others. John serves on the following corporate boards: Anthony’s Restaurants, Northland Properties, and is a past member of the advisory board of Northern Trust.
John and his wife, Deanna, are past Fritzky Co-chairs in Leadership at the University of Washington and are honorees of the Seattle Hotel Association’s “Evening of Hope.” They have also served as co-chairs of many civic events including: the Woodland Park Zoo Jungle Party, Virginia Mason Dreambuilder’s Ball, and the Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame. Currently, they are co-chairs of the Auction of Washington Wines.
John is also author of the book Keys to the Room: Unlocking the Doors to Opportunities and Possibilities.
John is a graduate of University of Puget Sound, where he earned his bachelor’s degrees in Urban Affairs and Political Science. He and Deanna were honored for their continued service and philanthropy with the dedication of Oppenheimer Hall at their alma mater.
He is a husband and proud father of two adult children. An interesting fact is that John first learned about great customer service as a young skycap at the Boise, Idaho airport, carrying luggage. The word that best describes John is grateful.
