R. Donahue Peebles
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTiVE OFFICER
Recognized as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the nation, R. Donahue Peebles is the owner of The Peebles Corporation, the country's largest African American real estate development company with a $4 billion portfolio of completed or underway, luxury hotels and high-rise residential and Class A commercial properties and developments in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami Beach and the Florida Keys.
The 48 year old has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise, Ebony and Inc., because of his successful real estate projects. Mr. Peebles has also been profiled on FOX NEWS with Neil Cavuto, CNBC, Bloomberg Television, CNN Financial Network, ABC News Network, and has been a guest on the nationally syndicated "Tom Joyner Morning Show" and "Steve Harvey" radio programs.
His first book, The Peebles Principles, Tales and Tactics from an Entrepreneur's Life of Winning Deals, Succeeding in Business and Creating a Fortune from Scratch (Wiley), distills the lessons Mr. Peebles learned on the road to building his successful company and personal fortune. His first-person accounts of his most intriguing deals illustrate the principles that guide Mr. Peebles in all of his transactions.
In addition to serving as CEO of his billion-dollar real estate development firm, Mr. Peebles is highly sought after nationwide as a speaker. Viewed as a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, he has addressed numerous educational, business and professional associations across the nation, including the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, The Wharton School, University of Miami, Florida International University, Johnson & Wales University, 100 Black Men of America, Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association and the American Hotel & Motel Association's Annual Conference among others. Mr. Peebles was awarded an honorary doctorate from Johnson & Wales University.
Raised in Washington, D.C., in a single-parent household, he has a soft spot for at-risk inner-city children. Consequently, Mr. Peebles spends time speaking to students around the country to urge and inspire them to pursue careers in business.
He served as a U.S. House of Representatives page while in high school, sparking a lifelong interest in politics. Mr. Peebles has supported politicians on both sides of the aisle and has raised campaign funds for local, state and federal candidates.