Meet The Swag Staff: Mark Higdon

We are pleased to introduce Mark Higdon, who is in his 15th season at The Swag.  Mark is a member of the Guest Services Team and, if you stay with us, there will be a good chance that you will speak with Mark before, during, and after you visit to our award-winning mountaintop hideaway bordering The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Like me, before joining The Swag and entering the world of hospitality, Mark was in the petroleum industry.  After 30+ years working in the convenience store world, franchise consulting, marketing, wholesale fuel sales, and EPA compliance, Mark was “both a little tired and somewhat burnt out.”  He found his “outlet” nearly 15 years ago by working weekends in the Guest Services role.  As Mark describes it, “This allowed me to unwind, have fun, and experience an environment unlike anything that existed in my Monday thru Friday work world.”

And, boy, were we lucky that Mark decided to start working at The Swag!  In his free time (between a full time job and caring for his disabled parents for a 10-year period), Mark enrolled in a Hospitality Management Certificate Program with an emphasis on Customer Service offered thru Cornell University at the urging of one of The Swag’s great neighbors, Melle.

This season we were pleased that Mark decided to join The Swag in a full-time capacity.  He knows The Swag inside and out and it is a joy to hear him tell stories of The Swag’s history.

Come visit Mark & Team at our mountaintop hideaway by reserving a room now.  You can also call the Guest Services team at 828-926-0430.  There is a decent chance Mark will be the one who answers the phone!

-David Colquitt