$5 = 1 vote

KARL THOMAS, Managing Partner-The Ramsey Hotel & Convention Center

Karl is a seasoned hotel administrator and marketing professional who moved to Pigeon Forge from Atlanta in 1982. He currently works as Managing Partner for The Ramsey Hotel & Convention Center in Pigeon Forge. In 1985 Karl left but returned in 1995 and now resides in Gatlinburg.

Karl is the proud father of three beautiful and talented daughters who have blessed him with six exceptional grandchildren. A professed Christian, he attends Pathways Church in Sevierville.

Born in Jacksonville Florida, Karl graduated from the University of Florida. He started in the hotel industry at the age of sixteen. Over the years he became a general manager at 20, an area manager at 25, a regional manager at 30, and an owner at age 50. He was Director of Marketing & PR for Ripley’s Aquarium for seven years prior to the 2000 opening. Karl has served as a board member and officer in several local hospitality associations.

As to Dancing with The Stars, he states that he never has been a good dancer!

JESSICA BOOKSTAFF DOPPELT, Owner, PigeonForge.com

Jessica Bookstaff Doppelt is the owner of PigeonForge.com, Durango.com, and TheVirginIslands.com. She was born and raised in Gatlinburg and has worked in the hospitality industry from a young age. After graduating from Gatlinburg Pittman High School, she attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2000. She has been active in the Internet industry since 1998, where she started by managing marketing and public relations efforts for a mature start-up company. During her senior year at UT, she acquired PigeonForge.com and has been actively developing the website since. She has added many other domains to her portfolio, but she especially loves working with her clients and promoting the Smoky Mountains.

Wellness is an integral part of her life so when she is not working, she can be found practicing yoga, running, hiking or biking outside, or cooking for friends and family. She and her husband Matt have three daughters, Gwyneth, Whitney, and Ava Catherine. Jessica is a mentor with TNAchieves and a board member for Imagination Library of Knox County.