Cendant Corporation’s hotel group today announced the appointment of Paul Hanley as Ramada Franchise Systems Inc. president & chief executive officer, replacing Steven J. Belmonte, who is leaving the company.

Hanley formerly was principal of The P. Hanley Company, a hospitality and travel industry consulting firm based in Wayzata, Minn. Prior to that, he served Carlson Hospitality Worldwide in Minneapolis as president & chief operating officer of Regent International Hotels from 1996 to 2000, executive vice president of operations for Radisson Hotels International from 1994 to 1996 and vice president of sales for Radisson from 1993 to 1994.

From 1987 to 1993, Hanley was senior vice president of marketing for Omni Hotels, Hampton, N.H. From 1974 to 1987, he served Hyatt Hotels & Resorts as general manager of hotels in Maui, Hawaii; Chicago; Kansas City, Mo.; and Richmond, Va., and director of sales for hotels in Washington, Lexington, Ky., and Chicago.

“In searching for the right leader in this position, I looked for a seasoned professional who understands the complexities of the Ramada system and is quality-driven, a strategic thinker and a motivator,” said Joseph R. Kane Jr., group president & chief executive officer of Cendant’s hotel group. “In short, I wanted a dynamic leader who will take the Ramada brand to new levels. Paul Hanley possesses all of these qualities and more.”

Hanley, noting that the Ramada brand has been “a staple of the American landscape for more than 45 years,” said he is “inheriting more than a brand; I am inheriting a bold, award-winning, quality-focused culture dedicated to its customers, franchisees and hotel guests alike. I am looking forward to continuing the success of Ramada and to pushing it even further.”

Hanley, 52, received his bachelor of science in business administration from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., in 1971.

Ramada Franchise Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) is a mid-to upper-mid market chain of nearly 1,000 Ramada Limited, Inn, and Plaza Hotels throughout the United States. Reservations can be made by calling, toll-free, (800) 2-RAMADA or through the brand’s Web site, www.ramada.com.

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