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The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., is famous for its warm springs, golf and other outdoor activities. It recently underwent a $ 170-million renovation. |
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that Krzyzewski isn’ t central in his mind— until he is.
“ He was the coach at Duke for nearly 45 years and consistently, day in and day out, year after year, modeled excellence in everything he did,” Alexander said, before swiftly pivoting to tie that longevity and steadiness to Omni Hotels, where its chief human resources officer recently celebrated her 46th year with the company.“ I tell her often: You are like Coach K,” he said.
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He delves deeper, noting how Krzyzewski wasn’ t intransigent in his coaching style and would adapt to accommodate his players and the way the game evolved.“ That kind of fluid leadership and dynamic mindset is important,” Alexander said.“ He would often say you have to be really clear about expectations and then it’ s everybody on the team’ s job to hold one another accountable to those expectations.”
For a guy that doesn’ t think a lot about Coach K, Alexander sure thinks a lot about Coach K.“ Maybe it’ s subconscious by just being a Duke fan,” he said.
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a venerable history as Omni is humbling for anyone, let alone someone still a year shy of his 40th birthday when he took over as head honcho. But that was Alexander when he assumed the role after spending five years as CFO. It comes as no surprise that the self-effacing Alexander felt a slight tinge of imposter syndrome.“ I don’ t think it ever really goes away. It changes a
A rendering of a guestroom at Omni Pontoque Resort at Punta de Mita, which is currently under construction.
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little bit,” he said. Alexander contends that it doesn’ t matter if you are Joe Smith or Joe Burrow: everyone has insecurities, but they mold character.“ It’ s fundamental to the human condition,” he said, and also inescapable.“ Deep down, at my core,” he queried,“ do I have it? Am I good enough?”
Unlike most of its peers, Omni Hotels & Resorts is a
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Kurt Alexander is president of Omni Hotels & Resorts, a position he ascended to in 2022. |
CUT DIFFERENT Alexander has been with Omni for more than 11 years and stepped into the president role almost four years ago when it was vacated by Peter Strebel. Leading a company with such |
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40 hotelsmag. com Jan / Feb 2026 |