In a historical board session, Cindy Binkele has been named the first chairwoman for the world’s largest lodging brand. Binkele will continue to represent member interests for Best Western members in California, Nevada and Hawaii in addition to working with the board and executive staff to lead the brand in its new initiatives for 2001.

“I am honored that my colleagues had the confidence in my abilities to elect me to this position,” said Binkele. “The Best Western brand has been through some exciting changes in the past few years and we are certainly not content to relax in that success. Now, more than ever, we are ready to show the world what we’ve known Best Western to be all along - a quality brand with great members providing hospitality and value to guests worldwide.”

Elected to the board in 1997, Binkele is the first female to hold such a position in the company’s 54-year history. Binkele is co-owner of the Best Western Somerset Manor & Monterey Street Café in San Luis Obispo, Calif., a Best Western property since 1963. Binkele served on the board of directors for the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau. She is also former vice president of the California Restaurant Association, Central Coast Chapter.

In addition to her Certified Hotel Administrator designation, Binkele holds AH&MA certification from Cal Poly University in managing front office operations, managing human resources in the hospitality industry, principles of food and beverage operations and managing service in food and beverage operations. Binkele is a graduate of Bakersfield College where she majored in sociology.

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