Alfonce McKinney was appointed GM of the Moxy Atlanta Downtown before the property opened in March.
A Chicago native, McKinney began his career in 2011 as a front-desk agent at a Holiday Inn Express in Savannah, Ga. Since then, he has led properties across a range of brands and styles, from full-service hotels to boutique lifestyle concepts.
McKinney holds a bachelor’s degree from Savannah State University and a Hospitality Management Certification from Florida International University.
What first got you into hospitality?
I actually started at the front desk at a Holiday Inn Express in Savannah, Ga., and at the time it was just a job, but I realized pretty quickly I liked the pace and the people side of it. Every day was different, and I enjoyed being able to turn someone’s experience around in real time. That’s what hooked me. From there, it became less of a job and more of a career once I saw the impact great hospitality can have.
Who were some of your mentors when you were getting started?
Early on, I was lucky to have a few General Managers and leaders who really took the time to develop me not just operationally, but how to lead people. They pushed accountability, consistency, and ownership. I learned that being a strong operator is important, but being a strong leader is what really drives results. That balance stuck with me.
What were some of the most important lessons you learned early in your career?
One of the biggest lessons was that consistency beats intensity. Anyone can show up strong for a few days, but great operators show up the same way every day. Another was to never get too far removed from the operation. If your team is in it, you should understand it, and lastly, communication solves most problems before they even start.
What is the biggest professional challenge you’ve faced in your career? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges has been opening hotels, especially in competitive markets. You’re building a team, culture, systems, and revenue strategy all at the same time, often under tight timelines.
What helped me overcome that was structure and prioritization – focusing on what truly moves the needle: hiring the right people, setting clear expectations, and being visible in the operation. I also leaned heavily on my team, making sure everyone felt ownership in the outcome, not just responsibility.
What is one of your proudest professional accomplishments? Why is it meaningful to you?
Opening the Moxy Atlanta Downtown is definitely one of the biggest for me. Taking a project from concept to opening day, especially in a high-profile market like downtown Atlanta, takes a lot of coordination across teams.
It’s meaningful because it’s not just about opening doors – it’s about building something from scratch: the culture, the team, and the guest experience. Seeing it all come together and operate successfully is something I take a lot of pride in.
What brought you to the Moxy and your current role at the property?
I’ve always been drawn to lifestyle and boutique hotels, and Moxy fits that space perfectly. It’s a brand that allows you to be creative, push the guest experience, and really connect with the local market.
What is the best part of your job?
For me, it’s developing people. Watching someone come in, grow, and eventually take on more responsibility that’s the most rewarding part. Operations will always have its ups and downs, but building a strong team that can run without you that’s success.
What do you hope to be doing five years from now?
In five years, I see myself in a senior leadership role within a management company like a Regional or Corporate Operations role. I want to take what I’ve learned operating hotels on the ground and help scale that across multiple properties, especially in the lifestyle and luxury space.