The board of
directors of Choice Hotels International have announced
a series of executive promotions as part of a new corporate organizational
structure designed to better support and facilitate the company’s
strategies, long-term growth, and continuity for future leadership.Effective immediately, Chief Executive Officer Charles A. “Chuck”
Ledsinger, Jr., (56) has been named vice chairman of the company; and
Joseph M. Squeri (41), formerly executive vice president, operations and
chief financial officer, has been elected president and chief operating
officer.
  “Joe has been integral to the growth and success of our company, and I
have every confidence Choice will continue to prosper with his new
operational responsibilities,” said Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., vice
chairman and CEO. “In promoting Joe to the position of president and COO,
and making the other related organizational moves, the board is taking a
very important step in our plan to build upon our bench strength within the
top leadership of the company and to ensure the company’s continued growth
and success,” Ledsinger added.
  As vice chairman and CEO, Ledsinger will be focused on furthering
Choice’s strategy and growth objectives, initiatives to enhance
profitability for the company’s franchisee base, and innovations that drive
growth through expansion. In this regard, Ledsinger will oversee the growth
and innovation and real estate functions of the corporation, as well as
finance, legal, human resources and administration.
  In his new position as president and COO, Squeri will have
accountability and operating responsibility for the entire franchising
operation, creating a seamless oversight in all of the various operating
units, including international, marketing and reservations, information
technology, brand management, franchise development, field hotel services
and Choice’s business- to-business procurement processes.
  Ledsinger and Squeri will work together developing and leading the
company’s growth and innovation strategies, to include internal innovations
that optimize and strengthen the company’s core franchising business, as
well as external innovations that drive growth in response to market trends
and through expansion into adjacent and complementary businesses.
  “I am extremely excited to take on an even larger role in the
leadership of the company,” said Squeri. “Over the past eight years, I have
had the honor of working with and learning from Chuck, during which time we
developed a hotel franchising business model that has led to solid growth
and helped establish Choice as one of the best performing companies in the
lodging industry.”
  Squeri added, “Our new organizational structure is designed to build
collaboration across the entire franchising operation, which will enable us
to leverage the company’s strengths and related synergies for the benefit
of our shareholders, franchisees and associates.”
  Related Organizational Moves
  In related moves, the board of directors also announced the following
changes:
  *  Michael DeSantis named senior vice president, senior strategic advisor
and corporate secretary
In addition to oversight of the legal function, former General Counsel
Michael DeSantis will oversee the company’s corporate real estate
development group, which has been established to seek investment and
business opportunities for Choice, especially in the company’s growth
brands of Cambria Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, and to
stimulate new and innovative ideas for the company’s core business.  In
addition, he will continue to serve as corporate secretary and as the
principal liaison with the company’s Board of Directors.  DeSantis
continues to report to Chuck Ledsinger.

  *  Paul Mamalian named general counsel
Formerly assistant general counsel for Choice, Paul Mamalian will
report to Michael DeSantis and be responsible for the day-to-day
management of the legal function, including SEC and corporate filings,
acquisitions, franchise issues, risk management, litigation and labor
law.

  *  David White named chief financial officer
Formerly controller for the company, David White will report to Chuck
Ledsinger and provide critical oversight and leadership of the finance
organization, including treasury, tax and internal audit.

  *  Scott Oaksmith named controller
Formerly assistant controller for Choice, Scott Oaksmith will report to
David White and be responsible for the company’s corporate reporting
and accounting.
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