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Jim Abrahamson Transitions to CEO of Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Senior Leadership Team Appointed with Ted Knighton as COO
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News for the Hospitality Executive |
 ARLINGTON,
Va., November 16, 2011—Interstate Hotels & Resorts,
the largest
U.S.-based global management company, today announced that, effective
December
1, 2011, Jim Abrahamson, Interstate’s president and chief operating
officer,
will transition to chief executive officer and current CEO and Chairman
Thomas
F. Hewitt will remain as chairman, as previously announced earlier this
year. In addition, the senior executive team effective December
1, 2011 will
be: Samuel E. (Ted) Knighton, chief operating officer; Julie
Pangelinan, chief
financial officer; Leslie Ng, chief investment officer; and Christopher
Bennett, chief administrative officer and general counsel.“Jim brings worldwide perspective, deep brand experience with Hilton, Hyatt and IHG and proven industry leadership to our company at a time of extremely rapid growth,” Hewitt said. “He already has developed great relationships with our owners and is highly regarded by the leading brands. He has been a terrific addition to lead our Interstate team.” “Under Tom’s leadership the company has skillfully doubled in size to nearly 400 hotels,” Abrahamson said. “We are fortunate to have his remarkable legacy and continued guidance and input as chairman.” “The promotion of Ted coupled with Julie’s addition at midyear and Chris and Leslie’s long-term contributions, provides Interstate with the capabilities and skills necessary to lead this company as reflected by their many contributions to the company’s recent significant growth, Abrahamson said. “We have a strong executive team in place, perhaps the best in the business, with the talent and experience to advance Interstate forward as we deliver superior performance to our owners and as we continue our unprecedented worldwide growth.”  Knighton will oversee global operations of the company’s managed and owned hotels currently located on three continents. He has been with Interstate and its predecessor company since 1990 and has held increasingly important positions with the company. Most recently, he was president of hotel operations, responsible for Interstate’s North American portfolio, Interstate’s largest region. His career includes senior roles with Radisson Hotels and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Knighton holds a degree in hotel administration from Cornell University. “Ted is a proven and highly effective senior operations executive,” Abrahamson said. “He has earned the respect of our hotel owners and our 26,000 associates through his leadership, experience and vision. I am confident he will be successful integrating Interstate’s global hotel operations, a key strategy for the company.” About Interstate Hotels & Resorts Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of a 50/50 joint venture between subsidiaries of Thayer Lodging and Jin Jiang, is the United States’ leading hotel management company, operating branded, full- and select-service hotels and resorts, conference centers and independent hotels worldwide. The company and its affiliates manage and/or have ownership interests in nearly 400 hotels, with more than 69,000 rooms in 40 states, the District of Columbia, China, Russia, India, Mexico, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, England and the Netherlands. The company has ownership in 57 of those hotels, including six wholly owned assets. Interstate Hotels & Resorts also has executed agreements for 25 hotels with more than 5,100 rooms under construction or development throughout the world. For nearly two decades, Interstate Hotels & Resorts has been operating hotels outside of the United States. The company’s global hotel management platforms in Western Europe, Russia, India and China provide the resources and infrastructure necessary for comprehensive hotel management operations, sales and marketing, revenue management, e-commerce, procurement, food and beverage operations and technical services for hotel owners and developers seeking a proven and experienced hotel management company. For additional information about Interstate, visit the company’s website: www.ihrco.com. |
| Contact:
Jerry
Daly, Carol McCune Media Daly Gray (703) 435-6293 [email protected] Carrie McIntyre SVP, Treasurer Interstate Hotels & Resorts (703) 387-3320 [email protected] |