Early Life
Gary Tharaldson was born in Dazey, North Dakota, in 1945. Growing up in a rural environment, he developed a strong work ethic. He graduated from Valley City State University with degrees in Business Administration and Physical Education. After teaching for a few years, Tharaldson started his entrepreneurial journey.
Rise to Success
In 1982, Tharaldson purchased his first Super 8 Motel in Valley City, North Dakota, launching Tharaldson Companies. He expanded his business, building and acquiring numerous hotels and growing the company into one of the largest hotel developers in the U.S. In 2006, he sold 130 hotels to Whitehall Real Estate Fund for $1.2 billion, and he continued to develop more properties.
Key Business Strategies
Tharaldson's strategies included focusing on low-cost, efficient hotel models and building strong relationships with top hotel brands. He was known for his innovation in the hospitality industry, often being an early adopter of new construction methods and cost-saving measures. He was the first franchisee to build Marriott's Fairfield Inns, which became an industry standard.
Philanthropy
Tharaldson is actively involved in various charitable organizations, particularly the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. He and his family made a $5 million gift to the university's Forward Together Capital Campaign in 2024. He also donated $2.3 million to the Dakota Medical Foundation to aid in its work in oxygen therapy.
