In this newly created position, Schulte is responsible for the growth of the Red Lion Hotels & Inns® brand throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and North and South Dakota. Schulte is based in Kalispell, Montana and reports to Manfred Gerling, director of development for Red Lion Hotels & Inns.

�Daniel Schulte�s vast experience in the commercial real estate field and current knowledge of our competitive subset in the hotel industry, will be of great assistance to potential Red Lion hotel franchisees, when making the all important decision on which hotel brand will best meet their business objectives,� said Gerling. �The highly respected Red Lion Hotels & Inns brand continues to roar forward with an aggressive expansion plan in the years ahead, and Schulte will be an integral part of the successful growth of this brand across the United States.�

Schulte began his hospitality career in 1992 as regional franchise development director with Hospitality Franchise Systems where he focused on the growth of Days Inn®, Ramada®, Park Inn® and Howard Johnson® properties in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.

For the past eight years, Schulte developed a company-wide commercial division for Coldwell Banker in Kalispell, Montana, which specializes in commercial properties and hotel/motel sales. He most recently served as franchise sales director for Flagship Franchising, Inc., under contract with Motel 6. In that position Schulte participated in the franchising of properties throughout Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and western Canada. He is also currently the owner of a full service hotel in northeast Montana.

Schulte has an extensive background in commercial investments and has more than 240 hours of classroom studies toward certification as a commercial investment member. He earned his bachelor�s degree in business and accounting at Carroll College in Helena, Montana.

Red Lion Hotels & Inns was founded in 1959 and is owned by Hilton Hotels Corporation, recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company.