Two general managers named in one release
Westgate Resorts appointed Kim Tankersley as general manager of Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Tanner Newton as general manager of Westgate Branson Lakes Resort in Branson, Mo. Westgate published the release on 23 September 2026. hotel-online.com republished the text on 8 October 2026 under an 8 October dateline.
Both roles sit inside the resort operations function led by Peter Gianini, a senior vice president at the company.
Gianini on the two appointments
“Kim and Tanner are accomplished hospitality leaders who bring valuable experience, strong operational expertise and a shared passion for creating exceptional experiences,” Gianini said. “Their proven leadership and commitment to Owners, guests and Team Members make them tremendous additions to our resort teams.”
The statement covers both appointees in one sentence and names Owners, guests and Team Members as the groups the two general managers serve.
Tankersley's record
Tankersley brings more than 26 years of hospitality and vacation ownership leadership to Westgate, the company states. He has led resort operations for the Club Wyndham and Travel + Leisure Co. timeshare business, including properties in the Smoky Mountains, Myrtle Beach and Branson. He helped open more than 13 resorts and served as an area vice president for Capital Vacations across the Midwest.
Westgate cites a nomination for the American Resort Development Association's General Manager of the Year award, an association award for environmental sustainability work and multiple selections to Club Wyndham's Presidents Club. The record rests on the company's own text.
The resort he takes on
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park holds nearly 1,400 mountainside villas and sits adjacent to the entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Westgate's own releases call it the largest resort in East Tennessee.
One release uses two names for the property. The appointment line reads Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa. The villa line reads Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park, which is the title of the resort's own page.
Newton's record
Newton joins Westgate from Marriott Vacations Worldwide, where he held leadership roles at resorts in Hilton Head, S.C., Phoenix and Branson. Westgate states that his timeshare industry knowledge and leadership experience will support Westgate Branson Lakes Resort and the company's presence in the Branson market.
Westgate supplies those details in its own text. The release carries no room count and no villa count for the Branson property.
The company behind the properties
Westgate Resorts is headquartered in Orlando, Fla. The company states that it holds a portfolio of more than 60 resort properties and reports 9,000 Team Members. It was founded in 1982.
Westgate named no effective date for either appointment and no predecessor in either role. The release carries no direct reporting line and no team size at either property. Westgate's appointment release is published at westgateresorts.com and company information sits at WestgateResorts.com.