According to H.P. Rama, chairman of AH&MA, "Your [U.S. Franchise Systems'] continuing leadership, dedication and creativity directed to the lodging industry and to AH&MA is laudable.  You are there when the industry and AH&MA needs you, which is reflective of your participation in industry and community affairs."  USFS franchises Microtel Inn & Suites, the chain of all newly-constructed, budget hotels, Hawthorn Suites, the upscale extended-stay chain, and Best Inns & Suites, the economy/mid-priced chain. 

In related news, Mike Leven, president and CEO of U.S. Franchise Systems, received the 1998 AH&MA Council of Inns & Suites "Person of the Year" award, presented annually to a lodging industry leader.  Leven was cited for his efforts in promoting the AH&MA federation to USFS' franchisees, along with his leadership and guidance as chairman of the AH&MA Millennium Occupancy & Revenue Effort task force, created to assist the lodging industry in attracting more of the traveling public to stay in hotels and motels.

Commented Leven, "After only 3 ½ years in business, we're thrilled that USFS has been recog-nized as one of the first recipients of the Cutting Edge award.  We are committed to supporting the efforts of AH&MA and to bringing more traveling Americans into the nation's hotels."

AH&MA, founded in 1910, is a federation of state lodging associations throughout the United States, with some 11,000 property members worldwide, representing more than 1.4 million rooms.  AH&MA provides operations, technical, educational, marketing and communications services plus governmental affairs representation to the lodging industry.

U.S. Franchise Systems was formed in 1995 by Mike Leven, a 38-year veteran of the lodging industry, and Neal Aronson, a former principal of  Odyssey Partners, a New York investment firm.  USFS' three brands include Microtel Inn & Suites, Hawthorn Suites and Best Inns & Suites. USFS also offers hotel management services to its franchisees.