MERRILLVILLE, Ind., Jan. 6, 2012-- After winning the Regional Hotelier of the Year Award for the Chicago market, Jerry Keyes, General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown, went on to be named the Statewide Hotelier of the year. Only industry professionals who hold the position of General Manager or above are eligible for the award.

Presented by the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) at the group's 23rd Annual Membership and Stars of the Industry Luncheon, Keyes was competing against those who were named Hotelier of the Year in the downstate Illinois and suburban Chicago markets. In making the presentation to Keyes at the December 16, 2011 event President and CEO of IHLA Marc Gordon said, "Jerry has been a great leader in the Illinois lodging industry and of our association for many years, including serving on the IHLA board of directors. He is most deserving of this prestigious award."

A White Lodging employee since 2002, Keyes has nearly 25 years of hospitality industry experience. "I am thrilled that IHLA has honored Jerry for his years of service to the hotel community in Illinois," said White Lodging Regional Vice President John Randall. "He has brought a great deal of recognition to our company as well as being a role model for our values. All of us at White Lodging are proud of Jerry, and it is a pleasure to work with him and his team."

Prior to taking the helm at the Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown, Keyes was the dual General Manager at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott and the Residence Inn by Marriott in downtown Chicago. In this role, he received White Lodging's Opening Hotel of the Year Award, and he was named the company's 2010 General Manager of the Year.

"I give a lot of credit for winning this recent statewide award to White Lodging," said Keyes. "The company fosters an excellent guest service culture, and I have the pleasure of working with some terrific and talented people."

The Courtyard by Marriott Chicago is located less than a block from Chicago's popular Magnificent Mile, has 306 oversized guest rooms and suites and is home to the stylish Viand Bar and Kitchen.

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 157 hotels in 19 states and encompasses representation of the following leading brands: Preferred Hotels, Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group, and Carlson Hotels Worldwide.