Gary Tharaldson

Gary Tharaldson
Tharaldson in 2017
Born	1945(1945) Dazey, North Dakota,U.S.

Gary Tharaldson(born 1945) is an Americanentrepreneurand founder of the Tharaldson Companies.As of 2019, Tharaldson is the wealthiest individual in North Dakota.

Gary Tharaldson was born in and grew up inDazey, North Dakota.He graduated fromValley City State Universitywith degrees in business administration and physical education. He did graduate work atNorth Dakota State Universityin Fargo and taught school inLeonard, North Dakotafor two years.He has been extensively involved at theUniversity of MaryinBismarck,North Dakota, lending his name and acumen to the university's "Gary Tharaldson School of Business",serving for a time on the university's board of trustees, and receiving an honorary doctorate from the university in 2018.

Tharaldson Hospitality builds and operates hotels across the United States. Tharaldson Companies was established in 1982 by Gary Tharaldson, with the purchase of aSuper 8 MotelinValley City, North Dakota.Gary Tharaldson is listed among the 1998Forbes 400Richest Americans, and his organization, since its establishment, has grown to be one of America's largest developers of new hotels. In 2003, Tharaldson was inducted into theScandinavian-American Hall of Fame.

In March 2006, the Tharaldson Family sold 130 hotels to the Whitehall Real Estate Fund (Division ofGoldman Sachs) for $1.2 billion in cash. The proceeds from the transaction have mostly been invested in key land properties around the nation. The assets are being managed by Diversified Asset Management based inLas Vegas, Nevada.

External links

• Tharaldson Companies website
• Current Forbes 400 List
• Article about Gary Tharaldson in the Fargo daily newspaper,Fargo Forum