Speakers

Dave Jacoby is an accomplished hospitality development, finance and operations executive who leads all aspects of a project’s life cycle from initial vision through successful operations. Dave brings a unique combination of community placemaking, financial acumen, operational expertise, and creative vision to every project. As Founder and Principal of Hotel Lucine in Galveston, Texas, Dave exemplifies this end-to-end expertise, having transformed the 1960s-era Treasure Isle Motel into a thriving 61-room beachside boutique hotel that has become a regional cultural hub of hospitality, art and music.

Dave recognized a white space for authentic hospitality experiences in a Galveston market that was otherwise saturated with highly corporate offerings. In response, he conceived the initial vision for Hotel Lucine, identified and purchased a unique off market site, and assembled a team of industry-leading architects, designers, and professionals to bring that vision to life.

Dave personally led all equity and debt fundraising efforts at Hotel Lucine, cumulatively raising over $26 million. He excels at serving as the outward face of a business, as evidenced by his publication in numerous magazine, newspapers, and television programs, as well as his comprehensive investor relations management, where he personally fields all meetings with current and prospective investors, ensuring clear and confident communication and VIP service standards are consistently maintained.

Dave’s hands-on approach included intimate involvement in construction drawings and interior design decisions, and Dave ultimately served as sole general contractor for the bulk of Hotel Lucine’s construction. Dave's ability to navigate the complexities of development is also evident in his management of FF&E procurement, where he directly managed a procurement agent and personally sourced roughly half of the custom furniture and key finishes, while directly managing international shipping logistics.

At Hotel Lucine, Dave developed all underwriting and initial labor models from the ground up, personally recruited and hired property executives and department heads, and continues to directly manage and mentor the property's leadership team. His ability to attract talent extends to strategic partnerships, having recruited and negotiated partnerships with Houston's most prominent F&B groups.