PHOENIX (Nov. 25, 2008) � Best Western International�s Board of Directors named Bonnie McPeake its chairwoman, effective for a one-year term starting today. McPeake is the second woman in the brand�s history to serve in the role. She replaces David Francis, who remains on the Board after serving as chairman since early 2008. 

McPeake has been affiliated with the Best Western brand for nearly 25 years and has served as a Board member since 2005. She and her husband, Sam, own and operate the Best Western Pinehurst Inn in Southern Pines, N.C. 

The daughter of a coal miner and a former realtor, McPeake and her husband risked everything they owned in 1982 to move from West Virginia to Durham, N.C., to purchase and renovate an 18-room motel. Since then, they have owned and operated four Best Western properties, as well as other major branded and independent hotels along the East Coast.

In 2003, McPeake and her family were honored with the first-ever Legacy Award, recognizing the Best Western member who fully embodies the positive family and community spirit of the hotel chain.

In addition to her work with the board, McPeake also serves on a number of Member Advisory Committees. Within her local community, serves as vice chairwoman of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau and secretary-treasurer for the Neighborhood Youth Leadership Charter School Board in Southern Pines, N.C.

McPeake resides in Pinehurst, N.C., with her husband, Sam.

The seven-member Board of Directors elected P.G. West as its vice chairman. Since 1980, he and his wife, Linda, have owned and operated the award-winning Best Western Turquoise Inn and Suites in Cortez, Colo. 

Rounding out the new Board leadership is Beth Campbell, secretary/treasurer. Campbell, a hotelier and business leader from Penticton, British Columbia, was elected to a three-year term starting this month. She owns and operates the Best Western Inn at Penticton, a three-diamond resort property in Penticton, B.C. 

Best Western International is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* independently owned and operated member hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide.
 

Best Western International 
http://www.bestwestern.com