Source: NCSU COLLEGE OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES, 11/16/21


Bob Winston left a big footprint in the hospitality industry. As CEO of Winston Hospitality, Inc., he established one of the first hotel real estate investment trusts in America, built a portfolio of 65 hotels, and started a successful tech company focused on trapping and eliminating one of the most significant issues for hotels today: bedbugs. Winston worked closely with various NC State faculty and students to develop the advanced, AI-based system. 

This was just the most recent in a string of NC State collaborations that began with a simple cold call in 1991, when he contacted the Department of Horticultural Science with questions about  revitalizing his historic 1.9 acre garden. His latest garden is three acres, contains more than 400 plant species, is almost fully self-sustainable, and a frequent case study for students in landscape horticulture and and landscape architecture.

Winston credits NC State for fulfilling his personal and intellectual pursuits, whether it’s growing new businesses or learning about the most sustainable farming practices for his  hobby farm. As a descendent of Jane S. McKimmon, NC State’s pioneer in continuing education – and namesake for the McKimmon Center, it’s only fitting that he would instinctively use the university’s resources to learn and grow. 

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