Carlson Hotels Worldwide today announced key new leadership appointments in development as part of a continuing integration process to position the company`s brands for future expansion and success. Samuel Winterbottom has been named executive vice president of development for Carlson Hotels Worldwide leading the development organization for all of the company`s brands: Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, and Park Inn. Winterbottom will report directly to Jay S. Witzel, president, Carlson Hotels Worldwide. Witzel also announced a new structure for the development team, aligning the development staff in two groups to serve the company`s full service and limited service brands and named leaders to direct these new segments.
In his new role, Winterbottom will be responsible for the overall strategic direction of the development of Carlson`s hotel brands in North and South America through managed, owned or franchised opportunities.
“We are pleased to appoint a proven leader in hotel development for this key position as Carlson is poised to accelerate its growth across all its brands,” said Witzel. “Sam brings exceptional expertise to our development initiatives.”
Most recently, Winterbottom was president of Starwood Hotels and Resorts franchise division. He also held other executive positions with Starwood including vice president of franchise sales; vice president of development; and regional director of development. In addition, Winterbottom held executive positions with Ramada Incorporated, Freedom Financial Corporation, The Howard Johnson Company, and Harley Hotels. Winterbottom has earned the Certified Hotel Administrator designation from the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and has served on the Board of Directors of both the Texas and Ohio Hotel Associations, was a member of the Industry Real Estate Finance Advisory Council and is the recipient of several hospitality awards.
Witzel also announced the appointments of Jim Olson as vice president of development-full service hotels (Regent, Radisson and Park Plaza brands), Carlson Hotels Worldwide; and John Sturgess as vice president of development-limited service hotels (Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn brands), Carlson Hotels Worldwide. Both individuals will report directly to Winterbottom. Olson was previously senior vice president of international development for Carlson Hotels Worldwide where he had been instrumental in the development of Radisson hotels and other Carlson hotel brands, specifically in the Asia Pacific region. Sturgess was most recently vice president of development for the Park Plaza and Park Inn hotel brands where he helped design new business models that helped grow the Park brands in North America by nearly 90 percent during his first year with the brands.
“The track record of success achieved by Jim and John demonstrates that we have the right people in the right places to continue to lead the growth of our brands,” added Witzel.
Carlson Hotels Worldwide is part of Minneapolis, Minn.-based Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, a global leader in hospitality services, encompassing more than 1,615 hotel, resort, restaurant and cruise ship operations in 82 countries. In addition to its hotel operations, other brands include Radisson Seven Seas Cruises; T.G.I. Friday`s and Pick Up Stix restaurants; and Provisions, a worldwide procurement company.
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