Chanhassen, MN, December 11, 2009 � Northcott Hospitality International, LLC (NHI), a private company with extensive holdings in the lodging and hospitality industries, announced today that Paul Kirwin, who currently serves as the company�s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Arnold Angeloni as chief executive officer effective January 1, 2010.

NHI is the privately held parent of the AmericInn® Lodging System which owns and franchises 219 properties across the United States as well as 21 Perkins® restaurants and 4 Houlihan�s® restaurants.

�Paul joined us in May 2009 and has in a very short time become an important part of our team,� said John Penn, chairman of the NHI board of directors. �He has demonstrated the leadership, experience and judgment that reflect his long and successful career in the lodging industry. His appointment as chief executive is part of a succession plan that�s been in the works for a while and that positions us for success going forward.�

�I�m very excited to be expanding my role at NHI,� Kirwin said. �I have a great group of colleagues and we have a strong foundation to build upon thanks to Arnold�s leadership over the last five years. This is a challenging time for the lodging and hospitality industries, but we have great opportunities particularly for our AmericInn brand because of its industry niche and its competitive advantages. Our strong management culture and great franchisee community give us the tools we need to take advantage of those opportunities.�

Kirwin joined NHI as president and chief operating officer in May 2009 after a 25-year career at the Carlson Companies where he most recently served as president of the company�s Americas division with 800 hotels operating or in development. During his tenure at Carlson, Kirwin worked in a number of capacities, including property manager, at the head of the company�s expansion in Asia and in a number of roles with the Country Inn & Suites brand, the last 5 years as president.

Prior to joining Carlson, Kirwin spent five years in management roles with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in Washington, DC, Hilton Head, SC, Orlando, FL, and Atlanta, GA. 

Kirwin graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Angeloni will continue to serve as a consultant to the company and will remain a member of its board of directors.

�It�s been a privilege to lead NHI since 2004,� said Angeloni. �There�s a great team of professionals in all functions and a committed franchisee community. Paul�s successful transition over the last seven months makes this the right time to take on my new roles here and to undertake new opportunities elsewhere.�

About Northcott Hospitality�
Northcott Hospitality International is a Minnesota-based company with headquarters in the Twin Cities� suburb of Chanhassen. Privately held, Northcott has 49 years of franchised hospitality management experience and maintains a superior reputation for excellent service in the lodging and restaurant industries. Its holdings include the AmericInn® chain of more than 200 hotels and Perkins and Houlihan�s restaurants strategically located in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and South. www.northcotthospitality.com.