Tracy, born in Mystic, Connecticut, spent over 30 years in the computer industry with leaders such as Compaq Computer and Hewlett Packard. Before retiring, he was Director of Sales Operations for HP’s Central and Eastern Europe Division.
Gretchen born in Washington, DC, has a background in business operations and inventory control. While raising their three children, she ran two home based businesses – first a desk top publishing business while living on Long Island, NY and later as a sales consultant for a multinational kitchen products reseller in Houston, TX.
In the late 1990’s, the family moved to Europe, specifically Munich Germany, where Tracy joined Compaq’s European headquarters. There Gretchen served as a board member of a large International church. Three years later the family moved to Zurich, Switzerland. While Tracy supported teams throughout Eastern Europe for Hewlett Packard, Gretchen served on the board of the Zurich International School for nine years, ran an English language library and was President of the American Women’s Club for several years.
In addition to their European experience, early in their marriage (before children) Gretchen and Tracy spent three years in Africa, living in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In 2014, the couple returned to the USA to care for aging parents. After spending an anniversary weekend at a local B&B in New Bern, the couple fell in love with the historic town and began exploring the option of purchasing an Inn. Two years later they became the third set of Innkeepers for the Harmony House Inn, newly renamed Benjamin Ellis House.
Tracy brings his interest in history and his love of working with his hands to the business. Gretchen shares her culinary expertise gained from cooking classes taken around the world in preparing first class breakfast menus each morning. Capitalizing on their multicultural and business experiences, Gretchen and Tracy Du Peza are infusing the bed & breakfast with international artwork, cuisine and a new vision while working to keep the history of the Benjamin Ellis house preserved and celebrated.
