MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Oct. 13, 2010 - White Lodging, one of the leading independent hospitality, development and management companies in the country has appointed Jean Smith to the position of Regional Vice President.

Smith began her career in hotel business at Marriott International where she held multiple management positions with Fairfield Inn, Courtyard and Residence Inn.  She was named Residence Inn General Manager of the Year in 2002.

Most recently, Smith served as Senior Vice President with Colwen, an independent owner and operator of full and select service hotels.  She was part of the original team at Colwen, where she started as a general manager and was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility, including Regional Director of Operations, Vice President of Operations and eventually Senior Vice President overseeing new development and the Interior Design and Procurement divisions.  With proven results in each of these roles, she holds an outstanding track record in driving balanced scorecard results and internal consistency.

In her role with White Lodging, she will oversee the select service hotels in Florida and Detroit, Michigan.

"I am thrilled to welcome Jean to the White Lodging family. I have no doubt her strong operational background and intimate knowledge of the brands will result in strong operating results in her region," says Jon Peck, Chief Operating Officer of White Lodging's Hospitality Division.

White Lodging Services Corporation was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana. White Lodging is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development, and operations company � a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid- to large-scale hotels across the country. Their current portfolio consists of over 150 hotels in eighteen states and encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Radisson Hotels, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and InterContinental Hotel Group.
For more information about careers with White Lodging, please visit www.unleashyourdrive.com or call 219-472-2900.