Past Businesses

A diverse and prolific businessman, Papa Doug keeps his finger on the pulse of the nation’s ever-changing corporate climate. Deeply rooted in his hometown of San Diego, his businesses include Manchester Financial Group and U-T San Diego. Passionate about redevelopment, he contributed to the booming growth of downtown San Diego with the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, the Manchester Grand Hyatt, and had a groundbreaking hand in the completion of the San Diego Convention Center. Outside of San Diego, holdings like an upcoming convention center hotel in Austin clinch Papa Doug’s status as a savvy and forward-thinking entrepreneur and developer.


Manchester Financial Group

Manchester Financial Group

Since 1970, Manchester Financial Group has been on a rapid path of success and exponential growth. With a knack for commercial real estate and hotel development, MFG played a large role in the buildup of downtown San Diego’s waterfront district through the integral convention industry additions. A power player in the city’s economic vitality, MFG boasts such holdings as the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, the Manchester Grand Hyatt, and the First National Bank Building. In northern San Diego, MFG has developed the La Jolla Bank & Trust Building, The Manchester Business & Research Park, the Manchester Financial Building, The Manchester Executive Centre and the luxurious The Grand Del Mar Resort & Spa.

Committed to unparalleled involvement across the business board, Manchester Financial Group takes the lead and delves into investments in banking, telecommunications and broadcasting, education, medical devices, tourism and hospitality, and vital health and human interest industries. With over $2 billion in assets and more than 3,000 employees nationwide, Manchester Financial Group continues to grow as one of San Diego’s most profitable privately-held companies.


U-T San Diego

U-T San Diego

As the city’s largest media company, U-T San Diego and its subsidiaries reach 98 percent of residents each week. Entities including the U-T San Diego newspaper, UTSanDiego.com, Enlace, and the entertainment and lifestyle guides Night&Day; and DiscoverSD.com keep locals in the loop of everything crucial, fun, and fantastic going on in their city.

With an aim to be San Diego’s leading news and marketing resource, the U-T focuses on a balanced journalistic outlook and comprehensive coverage of events all over San Diego, the country, and the world. Modern developments like digital editions and an ever-changing website allow San Diegans 24/7 access to quality accounts of stories that matter to them.


Manchester Grand Resorts

Manchester Grand Resorts

The Manchester Grand Resorts division of Manchester Financial Group is an essential fixture of San Diego’s vibrant tourism and convention industries. Each Manchester Grand Resorts hotel brings luxury, economic stimulation, and renowned beauty and grandeur to its neighborhood; providing lasting vitality to the city’s inhabitants and landscape.


The Grand Del Mar

The Grand Del Mar

Serenely nestled amidst a coastal canyon nature preserve minutes from the Pacific in San Diego, The Grand Del Mar seamlessly combines the old-world charm of a Mediterranean estate with the modern luxury of an elegant resort. The result: California’s premier triple Five-Star destination and TripAdvisor’s No. 1 Hotel in the United States.

Little wonder, given the stunning natural beauty, 249 lavish guestrooms, championship Tom Fazio golf, one of only 24 Five-Star spas in the U.S., an enclave of residential villas, and irresistible dining – epitomized by Addison, Southern California’s only Five-Star/Five Diamond restaurant, helmed by Relais and Châteaux Grand Chef William Bradley. This is The Grand life — just east of the Pacific and slightly north of expectations.


Manchester Grand Hyatt

Manchester Grand Hyatt

After deeding 12 acres of waterfront land to the Port of San Diego in 1983, Papa Doug paved the way to the opening of the San Diego Convention Center in 1990. Given the Center’s booming success and its prime location, Papa Doug’s Manchester Grand Hyatt cemented itself as an icon within the San Diego hospitality and convention industries.

The West Coast’s largest waterfront hotel, the Manchester Grand spans over 1,625 guest rooms, 150,000 feet of meeting and events space, and a 25,000 square-foot balcony overlooking San Diego Bay. Featuring luxurious restaurants, elegant bars and lounges, and unmatched views of the city; the hotel is a premier destination for sophisticated tourists and locals alike.


San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina

San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina

The San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina served as the first move towards Papa Doug’s vision of a now-complete 29 acre hotel and convention complex along the San Diego Bay. Providing amazing revenue for the city’s tourism and convention income, the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina is as influential as it is beautiful. Complete with glistening twin towers and a 450-slip marina, the hotel lends a modern and artistic edge to the San Diego skyline.


Commercial Development

Commercial Development

Papa Doug’s real estate experience extends to a grouping of commercial businesses throughout San Diego and the United States. Local developments include the Torrey Pines Business and Research Park, the Torrey Executive Centre, the Jaycor Corporation Building, and the Manchester Financial Building; with out-of-state projects like the Texas Instruments Technology Center and the Tucson Airport Business Park.

M Commercial Properties, a division of Manchester Financial Group, owns and operates an array of high-end office spaces throughout San Diego county. The property management and leasing firm runs offices for the biotech and research industries with an upscale, sophisticated focus.


Bijou French Bistro

Bijou French Bistro

There’s passion in every bite at Bijou (French for “jewel”) — where French bistro recipes rendezvous with the finest California ingredients for an experience straight from the city of love to the heart of downtown La Jolla on Prospect Street. Chef William Bradley, the acclaimed executive chef of the Five-Star/Five Diamond restaurant, Addison at The Grand Del Mar, collaborates with Chef de Cuisine Shaun Gethin, former sous chef of Addison, to create the Parisian-inspired menu featuring much-loved bistro classics, such as French Onion Soup, Quiche, Steak Frites, Coq au Vin and Veal Paillard. Addison and Bijou’s wine director, Elizabeth Huettinger, presents an exciting list of French wines, as well as distinctive regional and global pours in the dining room and the new wine bar. Offering French fare without the formality, the new jewel of La Jolla’s dining scene opened for nightly dinner