Hotel Brokerage Founder Passes Away

NEWPORT NEWS, VA—Regional hotel brokerage firm the Mumford Co. announced on Wednesday the passing of founder and chairman emeritus George Mumford.

Mumford died on May 30, 2015 in his sleep in Newport News after what the company termed were a long series of illnesses. Mumford, who was born in 1929, founded the Mumford Co. in 1978 and became a recognized leader in the brokerage of economy and mid-market hotels. In addition to his active brokerage practice, he provided an experienced source of advice and counsel to his colleagues on matters ranging from property valuations, sales strategies and general business practices, the company states in its announcement of his death.

In his career at Mumford Co. he was involved in the sale of more than 300 hotel properties valued in excess of $600 million. During the firm's tenure with Hotel & Motel Brokers of America, Mumford won the "Top Performer" award from 1993 through 1999. He participated in some of the firm's larger transactions in later years, and led the firm in dollar volume of sales in 2004.

Prior to his founding of the Mumford Co., he enjoyed a notable career with one of Virginia's largest banks, where he rose through the ranks to become senior regional credit officer. Later he joined a large, multi-discipline real estate firm that became involved in numerous facets of the hotel industry, including development, operations, and brokerage.

A graduate of the College of William and Mary and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University, among his many civic and community achievements included serving as past Chairman of the Virginia Housing Development Authority. He also held numerous leadership positions in groups such as the Jaycee's, the Home Builders, the William & Mary Athletic Educational Foundation, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, Nationwide Motel Brokers, Consolidated Hotel/Motel Brokers and the North Carolina Hotel & Motel Association.

Mumford frequently participated as a panelist at numerous industry conferences, including the AAHOA Annual Convention, the AH&MA Economy Lodging Conference, the Choice Hotels International Annual Convention and numerous state associations. For seven years, he authored monthly articles on hotel real estate for Hotel & Resort Industry and he also contributed to other publications including Hotel Business and Real Estate Forum.

He is survived by his wife of more than 57 years Margaret; his son, David and wife, Debbie; his son, Paul and wife, Laura and his two grandchildren, Carsen and Logan; his brother in law, Bob Petersen and wife, Barbara; sister in law, Shirley Strait and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: The Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, 601 Children's Lane, Norfolk, VA 23507, or Grace United Methodist Church, designated to the Roof Fund, 1209 Country Club Rd, Newport News, VA 23606.