Andrick to replace retiring Kathy Dickerson, 20-year Kansas City hotelier

Overland Park, KS � Feb. 18, 2010 � Joe Andrick, honored last year by the Greater Kansas City Hotel & Lodging Association as 2009 Hotelier of the Year, has been promoted to area manager by True North Hotel Group.

Andrick, general manager since 2002 of the Residence Inn by Marriott Country Club Plaza, will move to the Residence Inn Overland Park at the end of this month to serve as both general manager and area manager for five Marriott-branded hotels: Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites in Overland Park, Kan.; and Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn in Kansas City, Mo.  All five hotels are managed by True North Hotel Group.

Andrick is taking over the position held by Kathy Dickerson, whose retirement follows a 10-year legacy of leadership excellence with True North Hotel Group.

Last year, Andrick, then chair of the Greater Kansas City Hotel & Lodging Association, stepped up to lead a �green� effort among the city�s hotels in a project with The William Jewell College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team that was inspired by the Sam�s Club Environmental Sustainability Challenge. 

Andrick said that a guiding philosophy shared with True North Hotel Group inspired his hotel�s steady performance during last year�s business downturn.  �Even in tough economic times, there are businesses that are successful. We decided to be one of those businesses,� he said, adding that he plans to pack that principle with him when he moves across town. 

True North Hotel Group (www.truenorthhotels.com), co-founded in 1998 by Lew Wiens, manages and develops major-brand extended stay and select service hotels in the U.S. There are currently 16 hotels in True North�s portfolio, with nine more under construction or planned.