People on the move at Choice, Aimbridge

Executives in the hospitality industry have taken on new roles. Here’s a look:

Choice Hotels names Donna Vieira to its board of directors
Choice Hotels International Inc. has appointed Sallie Mae executive Donna Vieira to its board of directors.

Viera is EVP/chief commercial officer at Sallie Mae, where she oversees the company’s top line revenue growth, credit, pricing and loss mitigation, as well as products, sales, marketing, customer and digital experience and business development.

She brings extensive experience in marketing and general management via her current role and her work at other leading financial services companies including American Express and JP Morgan Chase. At American Express, Vieira focused on new customer acquisition and product development and oversaw the launch of a series of new card products including Blue Business and Business Membership Rewards and was a member of the team that launched Open Small Business. At JP Morgan Chase, she held key small business and consumer-focused roles. She led the development of strategic marketing brand, and digital transformation initiatives to grow deposit and investment balances, as well as customer relationships.

Aimbridge hires Valerie McCormick as VP, development and retention
Valerie McCormick has joined Aimbridge Hospitality to fill the role of VP, development and retention.

In this role, she will work directly with Justin Magazine, SVP, development, to lead retention efforts. She will identify and pursue partnership opportunities with hotel owners, both current owners in Aimbridge’s existing portfolio and new ownership groups for Aimbridge properties that are sold.

McCormick has more than a decade of industry experience, having most recently served as regional VP, Choice Hotels International, where she was responsible for the enhancement and development of brands like Sleep Inn, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites and Mainstay Suites in the New England region. She has also previously served as a cofounder of Lotus Consulting Services, director of development for New England at Wyndham Worldwide and director of franchise sales for the Mid-Atlantic Region at Realogy Franchise Group. She began her career at Wyndham Worldwide, where she served first as an international licensing coordinator in contract administration prior to becoming the franchise development manager for the Northeast Region.