PHOENIX, Dec. 29, 2003 � Best Western International Inc. has promoted
David Kong to senior vice president-Marketing and Development, Mike Kistner
to senior vice president Information Services/CIO, Loyd Nygaard to vice
president-Member Operations Support, and Richard Bennett to vice president-Procurement.
The promotions are effective immediately according to Tom Higgins, Best
Western president and chief executive officer.
| David Kong, who joined Best
Western in 2001, was previously with KPMG Consulting and before that with
Hyatt Hotels Corporation for 19 years. In his new capacity,
Kong will have responsibility for all marketing functions in addition to
his global strategy and development duties for North America and Asia.
Kong will also retain responsibility for Best Western�s loyalty program,
Gold Crown Club International and the Best Western pre-paid travel card.
Kong has completed the Executive Development Program at the Kellogg Graduate
School of Management from Northwestern University and has a bachelor�s
degree in business administration in Travel Industry Management from the
University of Hawaii.
Mike Kistner, previously vice president of Information Services,
was elevated to senior vice president. He retains his chief information
officer title. He has overall responsibility for all corporate information
systems technology infrastructure and oversight of information service
enhancements at the property level. Kistner joined Best Western
three years ago from Cendant Corporation in Phoenix where he served in
a similar capacity and before that was with Super 8 Motels. Kistner holds
bachelor of science and associate of arts degrees in accounting and information
systems from Northern State University, Aberdeen, S.D., and a master of
science degree in Information systems from Colorado State University.
Loyd Nygaard, who began his career at |
David Kong
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Mike Kistner
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Richard Bennett
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Best Western in 1988 with a strong background in hotel and business operations,
previously held the position of managing director-Member Operations Support.
In his new capacity as vice president-Member Operations Support, he has
oversight of revenue management, quality assurance, design and on- property
consulting and training functions at Best Western properties throughout
North America. Nygaard graduated from Fort Hays State University
in Hays Kansas.
Richard Bennett, a 25-year hospitality veteran, joined Best Western
in 2000 from Prime Hospitality where he held various positions for 21 years
including 15 years in purchasing. Prior to his promotion, he was
managing director of BW Supply. In his new capacity as vice president
Procurement he will manage the Best Western vendor purchasing program which
last year generated sales in excess of $100 million. Bennett studied
hotel and restaurant management at Fairleigh Dickenson University, Rutherford,
NJ. and maintains a home in Sanibel, Fla.
Best Western International is THE WORLD�S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN® with
more than 4,100 hotels in 80 countries. It is a membership association
of independently owned and operated hotels that provides marketing, reservations
and operational support to its members. |
