Columbia Hospitality Names Greg Duff, Vice President of Development/General Counsel
SEATTLE, WA, June 28, 2005. Columbia Hospitality Inc. today announced it has hired Greg Duff, a hospitality business and legal expert, as vice president of development and general counsel. Duff will be responsible for Columbia Hospitality's business development, focusing on new management and development opportunities, as well as legal affairs. Duff's business development efforts will focus on opportunities in the Northwest and beyond.
This new senior leadership position reflects Columbia Hospitality's proactive growth strategy. Columbia Hospitality, which turned 10 this year, has been one of the region's fastest-growing companies.
"Greg's extensive hospitality business and legal experience will be a great addition to our team," says John Oppenheimer, president and CEO of Columbia Hospitality. "Greg's skills will help Columbia Hospitality pursue new opportunities and grow our business strategically."
Prior to joining Columbia Hospitality, Duff was partner and chair of the hospitality, travel and tourism practice group at Cairncross & Hempelmann, a Seattle law firm. He represented clients such as Seattle Hotel Group LLC, which is developing the new Four Seasons Hotel Seattle; Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.; Marriott International Inc.; the Hyatt Corporation; and numerous other local and regional hospitality industry members.
Duff previously served as senior corporate counsel for Webvan Group Inc., formerly HomeGrocer.com Inc., and was assistant general counsel for the Westin Hotel Company.
"Columbia Hospitality is a great company with a wonderful potential for growth," says Duff. "I feel like I've been training for this position for 11 years."
Duff holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Pepperdine University and a law degree from University of Puget Sound School of Law. Duff is active in the community, serving on the boards of the Woodland Park Zoo and the Moyer Foundation.
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