Byrnes will have overall responsibility for leading the company�s strategic efforts in the areas of mergers/acquisitions, alliances, and joint ventures. 

An accomplished executive, Byrnes brings nearly 15 years of experience in investment banking and legal practice at blue chip companies, including Winston & Strawn, Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank. He has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and financing. Most recently, Byrnes served as managing director in the global investment banking group at Deutsche Bank. He led more than USD 40 billion in transactions during his career. 

He earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University. After graduating from Georgetown University with a law degree and MBA, he joined Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, a corporate law firm based in Washington, D.C. After relocating to Chicago, Byrnes joined Winston & Strawn. He joined Merrill Lynch in 1996, where he led a full range of M&A transactions with a primary focus on global industrial accounts. 
Byrnes joined Deutsche Bank in 1999, serving in various roles across the business, including vice president, Paper and Packaging Investment Banking; director, Industrial Services Investment Banking, and most recently as managing director and co-head, North American Aerospace and Defense Investment Banking. 

He and his family will be relocating to Minneapolis from Wilmette, Illinois.

Carlson is a global hotel, marketing, restaurant and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Carlson�s brands and services include: Regent Hotels & Resorts®, Radisson Hotels & Resorts®, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Park Inn® hotels, Carlson Marketing, T.G.I. Friday�s® and Pick Up Stix® restaurants, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel®. Carlson�s brands and services employ more than 160,000 people in more than 150 countries. www.carlson.com

Sam Macalus
763-212-2477
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