In his new position, Mr. Hurst will be responsible for supporting the sales efforts at thirteen Crown American Hotels including: Comfort Inn in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Holiday Inn Holidome and Conference Center and the Holiday Inn Express in Frederick, Maryland, Virginia hotels: Comfort Inn in Newport News, Four Points by Sheraton In Harrisonburg and Holiday Inn at Historic Carradoc Hall, North Carolina hotels: Comfort Suite in Asheville, Wyndham Garden Hotel RTP-RDU Airport and Holiday Inn Airport and Holiday Inn University Executive Park both in Charlotte, Holiday Inn in Rock Hill, South Carolina and Holiday Inn Downtown Atlanta and Comfort Inn in Macon, Georgia. 

Mr. Hurst has been with Crown American Hotels since 1998.  Most recently, he was the Regional Director of Sales and Marketing Director for the company's Northern Region located at the Corporate Office in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.  Previously, he was the Director of Sales at the company's Holiday Inn Downtown located at 250 Market Street in Johnstown.  He assumes his new position January 30, 2004.  Mr. Hurst will continue to report to Ms. Grace Markum, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Mr. Hurst been working closely with the Johnstown Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Johnstown / Cambria County Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Mr. Hurst plans to relocate to the Charlotte area and to become an active member of the hospitality community.

Crown American Hotels, headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, owns and operates 27 hotels in Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia.  All hotels are operated through franchise agreements with Intercontinental Group Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Wyndham, Marriott and Starwood.