Serving as Chairman of the Board, Mr. C.V. Shanbhag founded Pinnacle Hospitality in 1999. Mr. Shanbhag grew up in the engineering and restaurant business in India and he was destined to make his mark in the hospitality business in the US. Since 1976 his portfolio of experience has included real estate development, management, and ownership. Mr. Shanbhag successfully positioned DCMC, Inc. as a major national and international player in system automation design and distribution. His real estate activates include development of shopping centers in Greenville and Spartanburg, SC; restaurant development of the Bennett’s Steakhouse, Prime Sirloin, De’metres and Chandi’s Bistro in Greenville, Duncan and Spartanburg, SC. Also, he has developed a medical center in Woodruff, SC, Temples in Spartanburg and Greenville, SC, Parkway Plaza, a class "A" office building of 126,000 square feet, in Greenville, SC; hotels and banks. Mr. Shanbhag is an alumnus of North Carolina State School of Engineering and of Bombay University in India.

In addition to serving as Chairman of Pinnacle Hospitality, Mr. Shanbhag manages his numerous business enterprises and serves as a Founder and a Director of First South Bank. Mr. Shanbhag oversees real estate acquisitions/strategic dispositions of assets; development and construction of projects including expansion and renovations of existing assets. Mr. Shanbhag's hospitality experience extends over 15 years.

Mr. Shanbhag, more popularly known as “Sam” and his wife, Geeta Shanbhag, President of DC Motors & Controls, Inc. have a daughter, Manisha and son, Sachin.