NATIONAL REPORT—Choice Hotels International taps Douglas Lisi as VP of revenue management; AHLA makes key promotions and additions to its staff; and there’s more personnel shifts in the industry.
Choice Hotels Names VP of Revenue Management
Choice Hotels International Inc. has appointed Douglas Lisi as VP of revenue management.
In this role, Lisi will lead the company’s revenue management organization and functions, including trend analysis, forecasting, and price optimization, to help Choice franchisees maximize gross room revenue (GRR), manage their inventory and increase profitability. In addition to managing Choice’s proprietary revenue management tools, including SmartRates, he will also focus on growing the company’s corporate and group business travel, and work cross functionally to develop and implement strategies supporting continued growth across all of Choice’s hotel brands.
AHLA Reveals Key Promotions and Additions to Staff
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) revealed several promotions and additions to its staff.
Troy Flanagan was promoted to SVP of government affairs and industry relations. Flanagan brings more than 15 years of experience to the role as a policy advocate who works closely with AHLA’s partner state associations and industry allies on issues critical to the hotel industry, including workforce policy and ensuring a level playing field with short-term online rental companies.
AHLA previously announced the promotions of Brian Crawford to EVP of government affairs and Rosanna Maietta to EVP of communications. Maietta also serves as president of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation. Crawford and Maietta, along with COO Kevin Carey, together comprise the senior leadership of AHLA.
Additional promotions and hires include the following:
Maura Morton joined AHLA in January as senior director of communications. Morton, who built her career in hospitality communications, joins AHLA from Linda Roth Associates Inc., a DC-based hospitality public relations firm. She previously worked in internal communications for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.
Jaymes Best and Madeline Lee have been promoted to senior manager of government affairs. Best, who has been at AHLA since 2015, was previously an intern for Congressman Austin Scott (R-Ga.).
Michelle Morenza has been promoted to communications manager. Morenza joined AHLA as a communications coordinator in 2017. She previously served as a public relations and social media coordinator at AIC Hotel Group.
Olivia Klipa has been promoted to director of conventions and events. Klipa, who has been at AHLA since 2016, previously spent nearly four years at The Webster Group, most recently as associate director.
Ward Howell International Expands Travel & Hospitality Practice
Ward Howell International, an executive search firm, has expanded its global travel and hospitality practice with the addition of Kenneth Greger as partner. Based in Portland, OR, Greger joins the company with more than 25 years of experience in retained search. He has worked with businesses of all sizes, from start-up companies to Fortune 500 organizations, filling C-suite positions as well as top property-level roles in sectors including hotels and resorts, casinos and integrated resorts, restaurants, travel technology and more.
“The travel and hospitality sector is experiencing significant change and requires leaders who understand the labor challenges and skill sets needed to succeed,” said Asad Haider, president, Americas, COO and member of the board. “Ken’s deep expertise and client-centric approach are key to helping clients achieve their strategic objectives through talent.”