Gary Harnist brings three decades of experience in construction and design management to his new position with NewQuest Properties. Mr. Harnist was previously Vice President of Construction & Design at Benchmark Hospitality of The Woodlands, overseeing and working hand in hand with Owners/Developers in developing new hotels, resorts, and for sale condos from the beginning of the site plan to finally opening the doors to guests. Prior to that, he was the Senior Vice President of Construction and Design for Gatehouse Capital of Dallas, overseeing mixed-use high-rise luxury hospitality, residential and retail projects. Mr. Harnist was responsible for the overall management of construction and design professionals including selection, contracting, oversight of all outside professionals, project cost analysis and managing all department staff. Mr. Harnist has held several executive management positions with the Chicago-based General Growth Properties and Remington Hotels and has owned his own Construction Management consulting firm. He has been a senior executive in several hospitality and mixed-use developments in Hollywood, Boston, New York, Washington DC, Las Vegas, and on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, with each project’s value ranging from $100 million to $1.5 billion.

He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture.