Hotel Online Special Report 
Gary Decatur Appointed President and CEO of Choice Hotels Canada, Inc. TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2000 – The board of directors of Choice Hotels Canada Inc. today announced the appointment of Gary Decatur as president and chief executive officer. Decatur had been vice president, franchise operations for the North Central Market Area of Choice Hotels International, Inc.
In his new position, Decatur will oversee the growth, services and marketing of Comfort, Quality, Clarion, Sleep, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and MainStay Suites brand hotels throughout Canada. He will be responsible for the strategic direction of Choice Hotels Canada.
“With his established track record for strategic, results-oriented leadership Gary was a clear choice for this position,” said Kenny Gibson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Choice Hotels Canada Inc. “Choice Hotels Canada has enjoyed steady growth, creating a significant leadership position within the Canadian industry and strong brand awareness among travellers. We look forward to the continued development of Choice Hotels Canada under the direction of Gary Decatur.”
Since joining Choice Hotels International in 1990, Decatur has held a series of positions with increasing responsibility, culminating with his appointment in 1997 as head of the company’s North Central Market Area, an 11- state territory headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. Under Decatur’s leadership, the North Central Market Area experienced record-breaking system growth and excelled in providing services to 662 Choice brand franchisees.
“Gary Decatur has demonstrated clear, measurable leadership in all facets of lodging franchise management, from sales and marketing to operations and service,” said Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Choice Hotels International. “His elevation to the top post at Choice Hotels Canada bodes extremely well for Canadian franchisees and for the five million guests who stay at Choice brand hotels throughout Canada. I look forward to working closely with him in his new position.”
Decatur, who assumes his new post on November 20, succeeds Craig Farrell, who resigned the presidency of Choice Hotels Canada last July.
In related news, the Board of Directors also announced the appointment of John Allen as senior vice president, operations, and Felice Anne O’Neill as vice president, general counsel and secretary. Allen had been serving as interim president of Choice Hotels Canada and prior to that was vice president, franchise operations. O’Neill had been serving as general counsel and secretary.
Choice Hotels Canada is the master franchisee for Choice brands throughout Canada and is the largest lodging chain in the country, with more than 240 hotels in its franchise portfolio. Choice Hotels Canada was recently named “1999 Hotel Chain of the Year” by the 12,500 members of the North West Commercial Travellers Association.
Contact: Choice Hotels Canada Maureen Biason Director of Communications (905) 624-7824 www.choicehotels.ca Also See Tao Zhou Appointed Vice President and COO of Listel Canada Limited / June 2000 Executive Inn Group Wins Canada’s Fastest Growing Hotel Chain Award / Aug 2000