Early Life
Bob Gaglardi was born in Kamloops, British Columbia, and raised in a family that instilled in him the values of faith, integrity, hard work, and generosity. His parents, Phil and Jennie Gaglardi, were Pentecostal ministers. Bob attended LeTourneau University in Texas, where he studied engineering.
Rise to Success
Gaglardi founded Northland Properties in 1963 with a $5,000 loan. In 1967, he opened his first Sandman Inn in Smithers, British Columbia. Over the years, he expanded his business, creating various hotels, restaurants, sports teams, and construction firms. Northland Properties became the largest privately held hospitality group in North America, with assets valued at approximately $8 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Gaglardi's key business strategies involved consistent expansion, diversification, and a focus on customer service. He continued to build Sandman Inns across Canada, and also expanded into real estate and restaurants. In 2011, Bob and his son Tom purchased the Dallas Stars NHL team, which has since grown significantly in value.
Philanthropy
The Gaglardi family is actively involved in philanthropy, supporting numerous causes. In 2022, the family donated $10 million to Thompson Rivers University, which led to the naming of the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics. In 2017, they donated $25 million to the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital Foundation to advance surgical innovation. The family supports over seventy churches and develops facilities to strengthen communities.
