DALLAS (July 9, 2012) – La Quinta Inns & Suites announced the appointments and promotions of executives to its newly expanded franchise service team.  Overseeing this team, Jeff Palla is promoted to the position of Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations.

The newly promoted and appointed La Quinta team members are:

• Steve Clinkenbeard, promoted to Vice President, Franchise Operations, Eastern U.S., from Franchise Service Director.
• Geoff Tucker, promoted to Vice President, Franchise Operations, Western U.S., from Franchise Service Director.
• Johanns Williams, promoted to Director of Franchise Services, from Area General Manager.
• Tamara S. Adkins, appointed Director of Franchise Openings, Eastern U.S., from Brand Culture Training Director and Field Openings Specialist at IHG.
• Raj Pandya, appointed as Director, Franchise Services, from Area Director at M & S Hospitality.
• Barry Sullivan, appointed Director of Franchise Services, from Regional Performance Manager at Hampton.

Rajiv Trivedi, La Quinta’s Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer said, “We are excited to announce the expansion and restructuring of our service team and recognize the contributions of several top La Quinta  executives.”  He concluded, “Today’s announcement reinforces our commitment to providing the best franchise service in the industry, led by a uniquely capable group of leaders who serve the finest franchise partners in the hotel business. At La Quinta, our franchise partners have access to all corporate team members at all times. ”
 
Jeff Palla said, “With continued growth of our Brand, it is important to maintain hands-on support and frequent property visits.  So, we have expanded our team with four new Directors and two new Vice Presidents of Service.  Our restructuring brings La Quinta closer to our franchisees more than ever before.”

Headquartered in Dallas, La Quinta has grown its franchise team to include top leaders who have decades of franchise service and operations experience.  The La Quinta franchise community is one of the largest, and most successful in the hotel industry. La Quinta launched its franchising program in 2001, and according to statistics from Smith Travel Research,™ has been the fastest growing brand in the select service segment over the past ten years.
 
About La Quinta
LQ Management L.L.C. is one of the largest operators of limited-service hotels in the United States.  Based in Dallas, Texas, the Company operates and provides franchise services to more than 820 hotels in 46 states, Canada and Mexico under the La Quinta Inn® and La Quinta Inn & Suites® brands.  For reservations or more information about La Quinta, please visit www.LQ.com or call 1-800-SLEEPLQ.  Follow La Quinta Inns & Suites on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LQ or become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/laquinta .