Meet the Greenbrier resort’s longtime lead doorman

Founded in 1778, the iconic Greenbrier resort is no stranger to famous guests. Captains of industry, professional athletes, even American presidents have dropped their bags in front of the massive, Georgian-style hotel. But even if a guest’s name isn’t of the household variety, lead doorman Dale Mann won’t forget it. “I’m blessed with a great memory,” he says. “It’s a gift.” When he was 17, Mann moved from Charleston, West Virginia, to White Sulphur Springs to live with his uncles after his parents died. He got a job at the Greenbrier, clocking in for the night shift as a floor cleaner. From there, he worked his way up, earning promotions to the bell stand, then the front door, then lead doorman 14 years ago. “Anything guests need starts at the front door,” Mann says. “My job is to answer their questions and make sure they’re happy.”

General Duty
“We’ve had a lot of well-known guests, but one of the most impressive was Colin Powell. He came during Operation Desert Storm to speak to the Joint Chiefs. I was a young man at the time, and I was directed to take care of him, his staff, and his security when they went in and out. They had cars, military vehicles, even a helicopter that was ready to land on our lawn if they needed to get him out. General Powell gave me a medal for taking care of him; he was one of the most gracious people you could meet.”

Courtesy of Greenbriar

Bench Mark
“We had a guest who would regularly come from New York with his wife. They liked to walk from here to downtown every day, which takes about 15 minutes. We would put a bench for him at the front gate, which is more or less the halfway point, so they could sit and take a break. After they checked out, we’d put the bench away. Anything we can do to go out of the way for our guests, we do.”

Teed-Up Tastes
“We have three 18-hole golf courses, including the world-famous Greenbrier course that hosted the Ryder Cup. It’s just a beautiful setting in the mountains. Sam Snead’s at the Golf Club overlooks the courses and serves a prime bone-in, 20-ounce grilled ribeye steak. The marble in it is unreal, and the age on it is excellent. You’ve never tasted anything better in your life.”

Courtesy of Greenbriar

Worth a Visit
“The town of Lewisburg is about nine miles from us, and for the last several years, it’s been voted one of the coolest small towns in America. A lot of our resort workers live in Lewisburg. They have very old restaurants that have been there for years, like Livery Tavern and Food & Friends. The town has old Southern charm, with historic storefronts and outdoor dining. It reminds me a lot of Jupiter or Delray Beach in Florida.”

This article appears in the Summer 2024 issue of Southbound.

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