Best Western International have welcomed Raymond Johnston to his new role as chairman of the board, as well as Charlie Helm to vice chairman and Roman Jaworowicz to secretary/treasurer. Meanwhile former Chairman Larry McRae was re-elected to his second board term and longtime Best Western member Bonnie McPeake was elected to her first term on the board.

- Johnston, a veteran hotelier who was elected to the Best Western board of directors in 2003, is the owner of the Best Western Las Brisas in Palm Springs. He has been a member of the Best Western family since 1993 and has enjoyed a distinguished international career with several major hotel chains, including Westin Hotels, Princess International Hotels, American Hotels International, and Holiday Inn.

- Helm, owner of the Best Western Trail Dust Inn in Sulphur Springs, TX, and the Best Western Crown Colony Inn & Suites in Lufkin, TX, has been active in the Best Western organization for nearly two decades. Appointed to the board in 2005, he has held numerous leadership roles, working on the company’s Executive Marketing Advisory Committee, the Membership Development Committee and the Supply Committee. He also served as a Best Western Governor, representing members in Texas.

- Jaworowicz, owner and operator of the Best Western Highland Inn and Conference Centre in Midland, Ontario, Canada, was appointed to the Best Western board in 2003. Active in Canadian tourism and commerce, he has been a dedicated Best Western member since 1985 and is the first Canadian hotelier to be elected to its board of directors. Representing Best Western hoteliers in Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan, Jaworowicz most recently served as president of the Best Western International Marketing Co-op.

- McPeake, owner of the Best Western Pinehurst Motor Inn in Southern Pines, NC, will represent the interests of 390 Best Western hoteliers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, the Grand Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Prior to becoming a hotelier, McPeake was a realtor in West Virginia. She currently serves on the board for the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Pinehurst, Southern Pines and the Aberdeen Area in North Carolina. She is also a board member for the Neighborhood Youth Leadership charter school in Southern Pines.

- McRae joined the Best Western board of directors in 2002 and served as chairman in 2005. Operator of the Best Western Grant Creek Inn in Missoula, MT, he has been a member of Best Western since 1985. McRae represents Best Western hotels in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North and South Dakota, as well as British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada.

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