Stafford’s Hospitality Heads Step Down

Next generation steps up

By Lynda Wheatley | June 26, 2021

More than 60 years after his summer job at the 1886-built Bay View Inn evolved into him taking ownership at age 22, the venerable Stafford Smith, along with his longtime business partner, Dudley Marvin, is retiring.

The pair are handing over the reins of their northern Michigan hospitality empire — which includes a half-dozen historic lodging and waterfront dining properties — to the next generation: Reginald (Reg) Smith, Stafford’s eldest son, who has worked in nearly every capacity of the business since his youth, has been named the new chairman of Stafford’s Hospitality. Brian Ewbank, Stafford’s cousin, who joined the company in 1981 and became a partner in 2005, has been named president and CEO. Longtime managing partner, Butch Paulsen, who joined the company’s Commercial Foods Program as a high schooler 46 years ago, has been named vice president.

While Marvin and the senior Stafford will no longer remain active partners, Stafford Hospitality confirms both plan to remain in Petoskey and continue to offer mentorship.

In July 2020, Northern Express profiled Stafford Smith’s by-chance entry into the northern Michigan hotel business: After unexpectedly losing a promising job in the spring of 1961 at Petoskey’s Perry Hotel (which he would later own) Smith reached out to his previous summer employer, Bay View Inn owner Dr. Roy Health, to inquire about job openings; Health convinced Smith to buy the old inn. He did, and one week after marrying his wife, Janice, the young couple (shown above on their “honeymoon”) took over as the new proprietors.