Werner H. Graef Named President and GM of Woodstock Inn
WOODSTOCK, VT, April 27, 2009 The Board of Directors of WRC Holdings, LLC, the entity that manages The Woodstock Inn & Resort for the Woodstock Foundation, announces the appointment of Werner H. Graef to be President and General Manager of the Resort, effective May 1st.
Mr. Clayton W. Frye, Jr., Chairman of WRC Holdings, said "Mr. Graef will bring to the Resort his extensive experience and will provide leadership, strategic direction and vision to The Resort as well as operational and asset management. Current economic conditions are challenging to all resorts and hotels, and Mr. Graef's proven planning and management skills will ensure that The Woodstock Inn & Resort becomes the location of choice for visitors to Vermont."
Mr. Graef had been an employee of RockResorts when it was owned by Laurance S. Rockefeller, and successfully managed high-end resorts such as Caneel Bay and Little Dix Bay in the Caribbean and Kapalua Bay in Hawaii. He has lead many other international luxury resorts over the years, and has a record of establishing strong management teams and achieving favorable financial results while maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings.
Mr. Graef commented "The resorts that Laurance Rockefeller founded were recognized as representing the vanguard of style, quality and comfort. They also brought economic viability to remote areas, and incorporated environmental consciousness and civic responsibility into their business models. The Woodstock Inn & Resort is central to this storied history for it has the most personal link with Laurance and Mary Rockefeller. I look forward to working with the current management team to insure that this legacy thrives with the continued success of The Resort so that it may continue to benefit not only the Woodstock Foundation but also, as the largest employer in Woodstock, the community. I am privileged to be part of carrying out that responsibility."
Gary L. Avigne, who ably acted as The Resort's Chief Operating Officer during the search period for a new President and general Manager, will continue his involvement with The Resort as consultant and Asset Advisor.
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