Chase, who has been New Castle�s executive vice president since 1988 and COO for the past two years, will continue to focus on the development of New Castle�s subsidiaries, and will direct the development and acquisition of new properties and third-party management contracts.  Additionally, he will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the company.

A hospitality industry professional for more than 30 years, Chase succeeds New Castle founder David Buffam as president.  Buffam will continue as the company�s chief executive officer, focusing on the strategic growth of New Castle Hotels.

Prior to joining New Castle Hotels in 1988, Chase was a regional vice president for Interstate Hotels. 

�Gerry has been a fundamental part of the development of the New Castle Hotels culture,� Buffam says.  �In 1988, when Gerry joined the company, we had four hotels and had just begun to operate hotels for third parties.  Today our growth has carried us to more than 20 hotels with a reputation as the preferred independent management company in our regional area.  The systems, people, experience and attitudes that form our competitive advantage today would not be what they are without Gerry�s exceptional commitment, integrity and passion for our business.�

New Castle Hotels owns and manages 24 resort and hotel properties in the United States and Canada.  In 2000, the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary of leveraging new development and turnaround opportunities into steady, directed growth.