Robert S. DeVries

Bob DeVries leads Spencer Stuart’s global Hospitality & Leisure Practice and is a core member of the firm’s Board, CEO and Private Equity practices.  Most recently, he was global head of Spencer Stuart’s industry and functional practices.  He has also served as co-leader of Spencer Stuart, North America.  He is a multi-year recipient of the firm’s Lou Rieger Quality Award.

Bob’s diverse client list includes global lodging, restaurant, cruise line, theme park, gaming and other leisure-based hospitality organizations.  He serves on the Advisory Board for the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.  He previously served on the Urban Land Institute’s Hotel Development Council.

Bob brings more than 20 years of general management and strategy experience to his client work.  Prior to joining the firm, Bob was president and chief executive officer of Grand Expeditions, a private equity-backed, global luxury and adventure tour operator.  Grand Expeditions is now a proud member of the TUI Group.

Earlier, he was vice president of brand management and special events and served on the executive committee for The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.  His team developed marketing strategies and plans for Walt Disney World’s leading brands — theme parks, water parks, retail, dining, entertainment, recreation and sports.  Bob also worked for The Disney Development Company (part of Disney Imagineering) where he served as Director of Marketing for the Disney Vacation Club.

Bob began his career in brand management with The Procter & Gamble Company, where he led well-known brands in the paper products and commercial services divisions.

Bob graduated from the professional management program at Albion College with a B.A. in economics and management.  He earned his M.B.A. in marketing and finance from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.