Edmonds, Wash. — Feb. 28, 2012 - This month the Nashville Business Journal recognized Lara Latture, Executive Vice President and Principal of The Hotel Group, as a finalist in its "2012 Women of Influence" awards program that honors influential and inspirational women in Middle Tennessee. THG is a Top 40 hotel company that manages and/or owns 25 hotels in 10 states.  Latture oversees THG’s operations team and support staff at the company's operations office in Franklin, located at 345-B Main Street.

"We are very proud that Lara was recognized by the Nashville Business Journal as an impressive role model among women in business," said Doug Dreher, THG President and CEO. "Known throughout the hospitality industry as a 'Best in Class' leader and manager, Lara inspires her team to the highest level of excellence. Her accomplishments over the past 14 years at THG have been instrumental to our company’s success, and she is a model of integrity to her team and the industry."

Alongside 30 additional Women of Influence nominees, Latture was honored during a recognition luncheon on Feb. 9 at the Lowes Vanderbilt Hotel. The women were nominated in one of nine categories: Company CEO or President, Company Executive, Community Supporter, Inspiration/Mentor, Entrepreneur, Non-Profit Leader, Public Policy, Dynamic Duo, and Trailblazer.

“It is an honor to have been a finalist in the ranks of such amazing women in our community,” Latture said. “The other finalists and winners are certainly leaders who are on the move and propelling our city forward.”

When asked by the Nashville Business Journal: "What role did mentorship play in your professional development?" Latture had this to say: “What role didn’t it play? I truly believe each and every successful business person has had many mentors along their path. It usually starts small and as you develop, you want a more savvy or passionate mentor to match your passion for the job. As I find myself becoming a mentor for certain people in my life, I stand by a few easy, quick basics: It doesn’t matter who is around, there is always the 'right' answer. You know in your gut what it is; make it and stand by it. You will always feel good about yourself even if at times you are making the unpopular choice. ‘Consistency of consistency’ is a philosophy I live by."

A hospitality industry veteran, Latture has been with the company for more than 14 years and oversees hotel operations, marketing and HR functions for the THG portfolio. As Executive Vice President, her primary focus is the management and supervision of all property level executive staff and coordinating all national and regional sales/marketing activities, as well as hotel openings. She works with nearly all of the major franchise companies including Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, InterContinental Hotels Group and Choice Hotels. Latture is an active member of the Hilton Doubletree Owners Council, serves on the IAHI (Owners' Association of IHG) Crowne Plaza committee and is on the American Hotel & Lodging Association's (AH&LA) Executive Council of Women in Lodging (WIL) to promote women’s leadership in executive positions. Her 17 years of sales and marketing experience includes management positions with Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Grand Heritage Hotels.

The Educational Institute of the AH&LA named Latture a Certified Hotel Administrator. She was also featured in Hotel & Motel Management Magazine “People you need to know in the Industry" and in Lodging magazine's “60-Second Profile.” Latture has also guest lectured at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management. She attended The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she studied Business Administration.

About The Hotel Group
THG is a nationally recognized Top 40 hotel company and currently manages and/or owns 25 properties in 10 states, representing 10 brands and employs more than 1,600 people. Since its inception in 1984, THG has managed more than 100 properties in 20 states, directed the design and construction of 30 new hotels, completed the acquisition of more than $130 million in private investment as the sponsor of Hotel Group Opportunity Funds I, II, III and IV. For more information, visit www.thehotelgroup.com or call 425-771-1788.