Doug Manchester

Douglas Frederick Manchester (born June 3, 1942) is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the former chairman of Manchester Financial Group, past chairman and publisher of The San Diego Union-Tribune, and an unsuccessful nominee to become United States Ambassador to the Bahamas. Manchester, who prefers to be called "Papa Doug", has built some of the tallest hotels and office buildings in San Diego, including the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina and the Manchester Grand Hyatt, and is credited as a driving force behind the development of the San Diego Convention Center. Manchester also built the triple 5-star Grand Del Mar Resort & Spa, which was sold to Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in 2015, and he maintains a minority ownership. Manchester also built the Torrey Executive Centre, Manchester Financial Building, Whitetail Lodge and Golf Club, Fairmont Austin and is currently building the Manchester Pacific Gateway.

Manchester is a longtime supporter of conservative causes and Republican candidates. His financial support for a 2008 California constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage resulted in some calls for a boycott of his hotels. He was an early financial supporter of Donald Trump's presidential campaign and donated $1 million to the inauguration. His subsequent nomination as ambassador to the Bahamas was controversial and was eventually withdrawn.