Carlson Hotels Worldwide today
announced the promotion of Yvonne La Penotiere, formerly executive vice
president of brand marketing, to the position of president of Carlson Hotels
Worldwide-the Americas. The appointment was announced by Jay Witzel, president
and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide and CEO of Carlson Cruises Worldwide.“We are pleased to name La Penotiere to this key leadership position in
our expanding hotel organization, directing the strategy, management and key
functional support areas for our five brands in North and South America,”
Witzel said. “As we pursue a strategy of engaging our customers through
carefully defined and executed brands, La Penotiere brings a wealth of
experience and a strong track record of success to move this strategy
forward,” Witzel said.
  Carlson Hotels Worldwide includes five brands encompassing different
segments of the hotel industry, from luxury to select service. Specific brands
include Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza
Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn. Globally
Carlson Hotels Worldwide includes 895 locations in 68 countries, with the
Americas including 564 locations.
  Executive leadership and support teams will report directly to La
Penotiere including the leaders of the full-service and select-service brands;
managed hotels; sales and distribution; public relations, communications and
corporate relations; brand marketing; information technology; and business
process improvement. She will report directly to Witzel.
  La Penotiere joined Carlson Companies in 2000 as vice president of sales
and marketing for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. She was subsequently
promoted to executive vice president of Brand Marketing for Carlson Hotels
Worldwide where she led a major brand strategy initiative which focused the
company on engaging customers through carefully researched, defined and
executed brands.
  La Penotiere has over 18 years of experience in the consumer packaged
goods industry, including 11 years in consumer marketing and brand management
with such organizations as the Pillsbury Company, Nabisco Foods Group and CPC
International. She graduated from Rutger’s University Graduate School of
Management in New Jersey with a master of business administration in
marketing. She also holds a bachelor of science degree in biology and
chemistry from Salisbury State University in Maryland.
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