"Emerging as the top candidate, Thierry has a background that will  enhance our efforts and add new value to Historic Hotels of America in an increasingly competitive marketplace," said Nina Smiley,  chairperson of National Trust Historic Hotels of America and director  of marketing for Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y.

"I am especially excited about this new challenge because of  Historic Hotels' talented and visionary management team, its first-class reputation and the variety of marketing opportunities that can showcase the benefits of membership in Historic Hotels of America," said Roch.
 
Since 1992, Roch has been with the American Hotel & Motel Association in Washington, D.C.  Most recently he served as vice president of corporate and industry affairs.  From 1992 until 1996, he was the director of member relations where he administered member service initiatives for AH&MA's network of member state associations.
 
Prior to his work with AH&MA, Roch worked with the Berens Company, a Washington, D.C. based commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in the sales and leasing of retail and food service  establishments.
 
Roch is a graduate of the University of Virginia.  He participated in the United States Chamber of Commerce Institutes for Organizational Management, as association management professionalization program.
 
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, National Trust Historic Hotels of America is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It has identified 130 hotels that have faithfully maintained their historic integrity, architecture and ambience. To be selected for this program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old, listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or  recognized locally as having historic significance.