Best Western Promotes Mike Durazo to Director
Hires Lawrence Cuculic as Vice President, General Counsel
PHOENIX, AZ, August 5, 2009 - Best Western International today announced the appointment of Lawrence Cuculic as vice president, general counsel, as well as the promotion of Mike Durazo to director of online client solutions.
As vice president, general counsel, Lawrence Cuculic will provide counsel, leadership and guidance on all legal matters relating to Best Western's corporate environment and membership. He will also be responsible for setting and managing strategic direction, providing guidance on corporate legal issues, board and board committee matters, and managing relationships with external counsel. Cuculic will report directly to David Kong, president and CEO.
Most recently, Cuculic was senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Lafayette, Ind.-based Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC), where he advised the senior executive team on matters involving domestic and international business strategies, policies, negotiations and agreements. As secretary to the board of directors, Cuculic provided analysis, recommendations and oversight regarding governance and public-company reporting obligations for the 3,100-employee corporation.
Cuculic received his B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School.
As director, online client services, Mike Durazo will continue leading the company's global distribution (GDS) efforts and maintaining online travel agency (OTA) relationships. In addition, Durazo joins the sales and marketing team's client solutions group where his experience and knowledge will enhance the brand's capabilities to move market share across multiple business channels. He will report to Sheri Smack, managing director of client solutions and services.
Durazo, who has been with Best Western since 2005, has more than 10 years of electronic distribution experience. He most recently served as the brand's senior manager of e-business initiatives, where he managed relationships with GDS partners as well as OTA companies to drive member value and enhance brand equity. Durazo's duties included the development and maintenance of GDS/OTA procedures, providing education and communication for internal and external customers, negotiating contracts and managing the budget.
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