Thursday, February 28, 2008

Davidson Hotel Company Promotes Six General Managers

MEMPHIS, TN—Davidson Hotel Company (DHC), one of the nation’s largest hotel management companies, today announced it has promoted six general managers to head up new properties in its rapidly expanding portfolio of managed hotels. All are being recognized for their strong performance at other DHC hotels.

“As we continue to grow at a rapid pace, it is necessary for us to continually increase and improve the bench strength of our management team,” said John Belden, (photo top right) Davidson’s president and chief executive officer. “We have signed 12 new management contracts within the past 18 months and needed to put into place qualified individuals who have the proven ability to help these properties reach their full potential.”

The new general managers and their properties include:

· Marisa Serrano, Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter—Serrano has held a variety of management positions within the hospitality industry during her 20-year career, including general manager of the Marriott Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo., and the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. She was general manager of DHC’s Kansas City Marriott for the past three and a half years, where she vastly improved revenue per available room (RevPAR) and guest satisfaction scores prior to accepting the San Diego position. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina.

· Michael Sanders, Hilton San Antonio Airport—A 15-year hospitality veteran, Sanders has been general manager at a number of properties, including the Wyndham Nashville and Marriott Plaza San Antonio. After taking a temporary hiatus from DHC to return to his home state of Texas, he was offered and accepted the San Antonio opportunity. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston’s Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

· Mark Herron, Cleveland Embassy Suites—Herron most recently was general manager of the DHC-operated Pittsburgh Embassy Suites. Under his tenure there, the hotel enjoyed significantly increased guest satisfaction scores and currently is ranked eighth in Food & Beverage Customer Satisfaction within the Embassy Suites brand. With more than 25 years experience in the hospitality industry, Herron began his career as regional controller of Radisson Hotels for the Minneapolis office and has held a variety of increasingly important positions, including hotel manager for the Wyndham Anatole in Dallas, the Franklin Plaza in Philadelphia and general manager of the Hilton Little Rock Metro Center in Arkansas.

· Nanci Haley, Hilton Gainesville—Previously, Haley was general manager of DHC’s Embassy Suites Cleveland/Beachwood Hotel in Ohio, where she improved the hotel’s RevPAR from last to first place in its market. Her roles within the industry include director of guest services at the Wyndham Myrtle Beach, hotel manager of the Wyndham Chicago and general manager of the Wyndham Cleveland. She received her Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and her Masters Degree in International Business, both from Johnson & Wales University.

· Mansour Njie, Pittsburgh Embassy Suites—Njie was promoted to his new position after having been hotel manager of the Chicago Renaissance North Shore. He began his career with DHC in 2002 and previously held positions with Omni Hotels, Boykin and Starwood. Originally from Gambia, West Africa, he came to the United States in 1981 and received a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University.

· Kelly Spinski, Marriott Kansas City Country Club Plaza—Spinski has spent the past 11 years at the Marriott Kansas City Country Club Plaza. While there, she has held a number of positions, including director of catering and food & beverage director, most recently culminating in hotel manager. A 25-yearhospitality veteran, Spinski has held a variety of industry positions, including catering manager at the Adams Mark Hotel in Kansas City and sales manager for a Dallas-based catering company. She is a certified Professional Catering Executive, Meeting Planner and Marriott Wedding Consultant.

About Davidson Hotel Company

Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Davidson Hotel Company is an award-winning, full-service hotel owner and third-party management company that provides management, development/renovation, acquisition, consulting and accounting expertise for the hospitality industry.

The company currently owns and/or manages 30 upscale hotels with nearly 8,800 rooms across the United States, including such brands as Westin, Sheraton, Hyatt, Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, Doubletree, Marriott, Renaissance, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn. Additional information on Davidson may be found at the company’s Web site, http://www.davidsonhotels.com/.

Contacts:
Cyndi Carl
Davidson Hotel Company
(901) 821-4155
ccarl@davidsonhotels.com

Jerry Daly, Chris Daly (media)
Daly Gray Public Relations
703 435 6293

Julie Tullbane
Daly Gray Public Relations
T 703-435-6293
F 703-435-6297
julie@dalygray.com
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